Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION:

Doctor of Philosophy, 2008, Biology, Texas Tech University

Advisor: Dr. Randall M. Jeter.

Dissertation title: Natural transformation in Aeromonas species

Honors: Received the Outstanding Dissertation Award in Biological Life Sciences from Texas Tech University

Fellowship: Recipient of a prestigious SBC Chancellor’s Fellowship from Texas Tech University

Master of Science, 2003, Biology, Texas Tech University

Advisor: Dr. Randall M. Jeter

Thesis title: Antibiotic- and metal-resistant Aeromonas isolated from environmental sources

Bachelor of Science, 2000, Biology, Hardin-Simmons University

Minor: Environmental Science

Honors: Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Recipient of the December 2000 Hardin-Simmons University Academic Foundation Award (Valedictorian Award)

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX, August 2011 to Present

Courses taught:

  • BIOL 101: Biology – Human Perspective (Fall 2011- 2014)
  • BIOL 312: Cell Biology (Fall 2011)
  • BIOL 355: Microbiology (Spring and Fall 2012 – 2014)
  • BIOL 357: Microbiology Laboratory (Spring and Fall 2012 – 2014)
  • BIOL 399: Biology Research (Fall 2015, Fall 2016)
  • BIOL 440: Special Topics – Using SOE PCR in Research (Spring 2014)
  • BIOL 491: Human Anatomy (Spring and Fall 2012 – 2014)
  • BIOL 493: Human Anatomy Laboratory (Spring and Fall 2012 – 2014)

Honors Project:

Honors Fellow, The Justice and Urban Studies Team (J.U.S.T), Fall 2013, Constructed and delivered a hybrid version of an existing course offered in Fall 2013 (BIOL 101) utilizing a variety of different delivery methods including video conferencing, online learning, and face to face meetings on campus to accommodate a student studying at City Square in Dallas, TX.

Award:

2015 Classroom Teaching Award, Abilene Christian University College of Arts and Sciences.

Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 2001- 2008

Courses taught:

  • TTU MBIO 3400: Microbiology Laboratory
  • TTU MBIO 3401: Principles of Microbiology Laboratory
  • TTU MBIO 4406/5408: Genetics of Microorganisms Laboratory

Experience & Responsibilities

  • Taught undergraduate students and graduate students, both biology majors and non majors, basic microbiology concepts as well as complicated genetic manipulations in lab classes.
  • Served as a teaching assistant team leader by developing materials lists and organizing and mentoring other graduate teaching assistants
  • Maintained and prepared bacterial and yeast stock cultures for experiments.
  • Worked closely with the microbiology stockroom staff to ensure difficult microbiological media was prepared correctly.

Lecture instructor and teaching assistant coordinator, Department of Biology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, Summers 2004-2005

Course taught:

  • TTU MBIO 3401: Principles of Microbiology

Experience & Responsibilities

  • Delivered microbiology lectures to undergraduate students majoring in biology
  • Coordinated graduate teaching assistants for the lab component of the course.

Student Assistant, Department of Geology, Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX, 2000 (Advisers: Dr. Bobby Bammel and Dr. Mark Ouimette)

Experience & Responsibilities

  • Assisted in an introductory geology lab
  • Graded exams

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Postdoctoral research associate, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 2010-2011 (Research advisers: Dr. Robert A. Scott and Dr. Michael W. W. Adams)

Experience & Responsibilities

  • Worked as part of a DOE grant “Systems Approach to Probing Hydrogen Regulation (SAPHyRe)” studying hydrogen regulation in the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus

Postdoctoral research associate, Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA and BioEnergy Science Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Oak Ridge TN, 2008-2010 (Research advisers: Dr. Janet Westpheling and Dr. Michael W. W. Adams)

Experience & Responsibilities

  • Designed and developed strategies for the genetic manipulation of the thermophilic, anaerobic, cellulolytic bacterial genus Caldicellulosiruptor in an effort to investigate genes important in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels.
  • Developed a technique to significantly improve the plating efficiency of this difficult-to-manipulate genus.
  • Directed technicians and students in the research and manipulation of thermophilic anaerobes.

Graduate Research Assistant Department of Biology, Texas Tech University. Lubbock, TX, Summers 2006-2007

Experience & Responsibilities

  • Described the physiological conditions under which Aeromonas sp. become naturally competent to take up DNA from an aqueous environment.
  • Defined the gene exchange capabilities between different species of environmental aeromonads.
  • Isolated and characterized Aeromonas and Vibrio species from floodwater samples after Hurricane Katrina.

Summer Intern, Waste Control Specialists, LLC. Andrews, TX, Summers 1999-2000

Experience & Responsibilities

  • Worked as a lab technician to sample and chemically analyze hazardous and radioactive waste
  • Worked as an office intern to track waste manifests from “cradle to grave”
  • Learned the industry standards and safety protocols for disposal of hazardous and radioactive waste

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Professional Societies

  • American Society for Microbiology, 2001-Present
  • Texas Branch American Society for Microbiology, 2014-Present
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology Society, 2014-Present
  • National Postdoctoral Association, 2010-2011
  • Tech American Society for Microbiology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 2001-2008
    • Secretary, 2005
    • President, 2004

Journal reviewer

  • Bioessays
  • Emerging Infectious Diseases
  • FEMS Microbiology Letters
  • Journal of Environmental Management
  • PLoS ONE

PATENT:

2015

Westpheling, J., Chung, D., Huddleston, J., & Farkas, J. A. (2015, February 2). Restriction/modification polypeptides, polynucleotides, and methods. U.S. Patent Serial No.  8,962,333. Assignee(s): University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. Washington, DC: U.S.

 

PUBLICATIONS:

2016

Lindsey, M., and Huddleston, J.R. (2016). Isolation of Halophilic Marine Bacteria from an Inland Petroleum-Producing Well. Fine Focus, Submitted August 11, 2016.

Preston, K. E. and Huddleston, J.R. (2016). Gram-negative, oxidase-positive bacteria in rainwater and wind samples. Fine Focus, Accepted August 2016.

2014

Huddleston, J. R. (2014). Horizontal gene transfer in the human gastrointestinal tract: potential spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Infection and Drug Resistance, 7, 167-176.

2013

Huddleston, J. R., Brokaw, J. M., Zak, J. C., & Jeter, R. M. (2013). Natural transformation as a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer among environmental Aeromonas species. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 36(4), 224–234.

Honor: ScienceDirect Top25 List of Most Downloaded articles. January to December 2013.

2012

Chung, D., Farkas, J., Huddleston, J. R., Olivar, E., & Westpheling, J. (2012). Methylation by a unique α-class N4-cytosine methyltransferase is required for DNA transformation of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii DSM6725. PloS One, 7(8), e43844.

2011

Chung, D.-H., Huddleston, J. R., Farkas, J., & Westpheling, J. (2011). Caldicellulosiruptor bescii DSM 6725 and a member of a new subfamily of HaeIII-like enzymes Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 38(11), 1867–1877.

2007

Huddleston, J. R., Zak, J. C., & Jeter, R. M. (2007). Sampling bias created by ampicillin in isolation media for Aeromonas. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 53(1), 39–44.

2006

Huddleston, J. R., Zak, J. C., & Jeter, R. M. (2006). Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Aeromonas spp. isolated from environmental sources. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72(11), 7036–7042.

Presley, S. M., Rainwater, T. R., Austin, G. P., Platt, S. G., Zak, J. C., Cobb, G. P., Marsland, E. J., Tian, K., Zhang, B., Anderson, T. A., Cox, S. B., Abel, M. T., Leftwich, B. D., Huddleston, J. R., Jeter, R. M., and Kendall, R. J. (2006). Assessment of pathogens and toxicants in New Orleans, LA following Hurricane Katrina. Environmental Science & Technology, 40(2), 468–474.

POSTER AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:

2014

Brokaw, J. M., Huddleston, J. R., Zak, J. C., & Jeter, R. M. (2014). The evolution of natural transformation as a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer among environmental Aeromonas species. Oral presentation presented at the Annual Meetings of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Austin, TX.

2013

Brokaw, J. M., Huddleston, J. R., Zak, J. C., & Jeter, R. M. (2013). The evolution of horizontal gene transfer in Aeromonas. Oral presentation presented at the Annual Meetings of Society for the Study of Evolution, Snowbird, UT.

2011

Thorgersen, M.P, Schut, G. J., Lipscomb, G. L., Huddleston, J. R., Zhu, Y., Stirrett, K., Nixon, W. J., Westpheling, J., Adams, M. W. W., and Scott, R. A. (2011). A systems approach to uncovering the metabolic and regulatory networks surrounding hydrogen production in Pyrococcus furiosus. Poster presentation at DOE Genomic Science Systems Biology for Energy and Environment Joint Meeting, Washington, D.C.

2010

Chung, D., Huddleston, J. R., Farkas, J., Adams M. W. W., and Westpheling, J. (2010). Discovery and characterization of a potent thermostable HaeIII-like restriction system in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii—Implications for genetic manipulation. Poster presentation at BioEnergy Science Center June retreat, BESC, Asheville, NC.

Huddleston, J.R., Chung, D., Farkas, J., Olivar, E., Adams, M.W.W., and Westpheling, J. (2010). Developing genetic methods for Caldicellulosiruptor species—Where we are, Poster presentation at BioEnergy Science Center June retreat. BESC, Asheville, NC.

2009

Huddleston, J.R., D. Chung, J. Farkas, F. Poole, M.W.W. Adams, and J. Westpheling. (2009). Genetic manipulation of Anaerocellum thermophilum DSM 6725. Poster presentation at BioEnergy Science Center June retreat, BESC, Asheville, NC.

2006

Huddleston, J. R., R. M. Jeter, and J. C. Zak. (2006). Aeromonas species are capable of natural genetic transformation. Poster presentation at American Society for Microbiology 106th General Meeting. ASM, Orlando, FL.

POSTER AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS WITH ACU STUDENTS:

2016

Wooliscroft, J. T. and Huddleston, J. R. (2016, April 9). Antibiotic resistance and biosynthetic potential of microbes isolated from Sorcerer’s Cave, Texas. Oral presentation at Alpha Chi National Convention. Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Alexandria, VA. 

Honor: Recipient of regional scholarship award partially based on this research presentation

Wooliscroft, J. T. and Huddleston, J. R. (2016, April 5). Antibiotic resistance and biosynthetic potential of microbes isolated from Sorcerer’s Cave, Texas. Poster presentation at ACU Undergraduate Research Festival. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX. 

Honor: Recipient of one of three awards for Outstanding Poster Presentation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

2015

Clemons, K. N. and Huddleston, J. R. (2015a, March 27). Determining the effect of clpA in the natural transformation ability of Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster at the Spring 2015 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX

Clemons, K. N. and Huddleston, J. R.  (2015b, March 31). Determining the effect of clpA in the natural transformation ability of Aeromonas salmonicida. Oral presentation at ACU Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Honor: Recipient of one of three awards for Outstanding Oral Presentation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Clemons, K. N. and Huddleston, J. R. (2015c, June 2). Investigation of the roles of clp genes in the natural transformation ability of Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster presentation at ASM (American Society for Microbiology) 2015 General Convention, New Orleans, LA.

Lee, C. R. and Huddleston, J. R.  (2015, March 31).The role of the tapY1 gene and natural transformation in Aeromonas. Poster presentation at ACU Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Preston, K. E. and Huddleston, J. R. (2015a, March 27). Isolating Aeromonas from rainwater and the atmosphere. Poster at the Spring 2015 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

Preston, K. E. and Huddleston, J. R. (2015b, March 31). Isolating Aeromonas from rainwater and the atmosphere. ACU Undergraduate Research Festival. Oral presentation at ACU Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Sanderson, D. and Huddleston, J. R. (2015a, March 27). Microbial diversity and antibiotic production in Sorcerer’s Cave. Poster at the Spring 2015 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

Sanderson, D. and Huddleston, J. R. (2015b, March 31). Microbial diversity and antibiotic production in Sorcerer’s Cave. Oral presentation at ACU Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX. 

Honor: Recipient of one of three awards for Outstanding Oral Presentation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Woods, J. A., McNair, G. E., Huddleston, J. R. (2015a, March 19). The role of recA in the natural transformation of Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster at Alpha Chi National Convention, Chicago, IL.

Woods, J. A., McNair, G. E., and Huddleston, J. R. (2015b, March 27). The role of recA in the natural transformation of Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster at the Spring 2015 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

Woods, J. A., McNair, G. E., and Huddleston, J. R. (2015c, March 31).The role of recA in the natural transformation of Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster presentation at ACU Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

2014

Clemons, K., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014, June 25). Determining the effects of ClpA on the natural transformation ability of Aeromonas salmonicida. Oral presentation at Summer McNair Scholars Presentations, Abilene, TX.

Davis, K., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014, April 4). clpA/clpS genes and natural transformation in Aeromonas. Poster presentation at the Spring 2014 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

Davis, K., Peterson, M., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014, April 1). Determining genes necessary for natural transformation in Aeromonas salmonicida. Oral presentation at the Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Hays, S., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014a, April 1). Isolating Aeromonas from rainwater. Poster presentation at the Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Hays, S., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014b, April 4). Isolating Aeromonas from rainwater. Poster presentation at the Spring 2014 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

Lee, C., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014a, April 1). The tapY1 gene and natural transformation in Aeromonas. Poster presentation at the Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Honor: Recipient of one of three awards for Outstanding Poster Presentation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Lee, C., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014b, April 4). The tapY1 gene and natural transformation in Aeromonas. Poster presentation at the Spring 2014 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

Peterson, M., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014, April 4). Confirming the necessity of recA for natural transformation in Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster presentation at the Spring 2014 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

Preston, K., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014, June 25). Isolating Aeromonas from rainwater and the atmosphere. Oral presentation at Summer McNair Scholars Presentations, Abilene, TX.

Woods, J., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014a, March 28). Creating a differential medium for an Aeromonas salmonicida clp mutant that is deficient in transformation. Poster presentation at the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society National Convention, St. Louis, MO.

Woods, J., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014b, April 1). Creating a differential medium for an Aeromonas salmonicida clp mutant that is deficient in transformation. Poster presentation at the Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Woods, J., & Huddleston, J. R. (2014c, April 4). Creating a differential medium for an Aeromonas salmonicida clp mutant that is deficient in transformation. Poster presentation at the Spring 2014 Meeting of the Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, New Braunfels, TX.

2013

Davis, K., & Huddleston, J. R. (2013, April 4). clpA/clpS genes and natural transformation in Aeromonas. Poster presentation at the Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Goodwin, K., & Huddleston, J. R. (2013, April 4). Natural transformation of the tapY1 gene sequence in Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster presentation at the Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Morgan, Z., & Huddleston, J. R. (2013, April 4). Establishing recA as a gene Involved in natural transformation in aeromonads. Poster presentation at the Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Research Festival, Abilene, TX.

Honor: Recipient of one of three awards for Outstanding Poster Presentation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Next: Scholarship