Audra S. Liggenstoffer
333337 E. 740 rd. cell: (405) 714-0021 liggens@okstate.edu
Perkins, OK 74059
Education:
Oklahoma State University
Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology (expected graduation date Spring 2012)
Oklahoma State University, graduated December 2006 (triple degrees)
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (graduation date May 2007)
Bachelor of Science in Botany
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Northern Oklahoma College, graduated May 2003
Associate of Science in Biology (Pre-Med)
Publications:
Liggenstoffer AS, Youssef NH, Couger MB and Elshahed MS (2010). Phylogenetic
diversity and community structure of anaerobic gut fungi (Phylum Neocallimastigomycota) in ruminant and non-ruminant herbivores. ISME, advance online publication, April 22, 2010.
Elango VK, Liggenstoffer AS and Fathepure BZ (2006). Biodegradation of Vinyl
Chloride and cis-Dichloroethene by a Ralstonia sp. strain TRW-1. Applied
Microbiol and Biotech, 72(6): 1270-1275.
Presentations:
Oral and Poster Presentation. AS Liggenstoffer, Youssef NH, Couger MB, and Elshahed
MS (2010). “Anaerobic Gut Fungi in Herbivores: Novel Lineages and Distinct Community Patterns.” 9th International Mycological Congress, Edinburgh, UK.
Poster Presentation. AS Liggenstoffer, Youssef NH, Couger MB, and Elshahed MS
(2010). “Phylogenetic Diversity and Community Structure of Anaerobic Gut Fungi (Phylum Neocallimastigomycota) in Ruminant and Non-Ruminant Herbivores.” 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, San Diego, CA.
Poster Presentation. AS Liggenstoffer, Youssef NH, Couger MB, and Elshahed MS
(2010). “Investigation into the Diversity and Community Structure of Anaerobic Gut Fungi (Phylum Neocallimastigomycota) Reveals Multiple Novel Lineages.” Oklahoma EPSCoR Annual State Conference, Norman, OK.
Poster Presentation. A.S. Liggenstoffer and M.S. Elshahed. (2009). “Culture-Independent
and Culture-Based Investigation of the Diversity of Anaerobic Fungi.” 109th
General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Philadelphia, PA.
Oral Presentation. A.S. Liggenstoffer and M.S. Elshahed. (2009). “Diversity of the
Neocallimastigales in herbivores revealed through culture-independent and culture-
dependent methods. Annual meeting of the Missouri Valley Branch, American
Society for Microbiology, Lawrence, KS.
Oral Presentation. A.S. Liggenstoffer and M.S. Elshahed. (2009). “Diversity of the
Neocallimastigales and their potential utility in the production of biofuels.”
Departmental Seminar, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Stillwater, OK.
Research Experience:
Graduate:
Research assistant. Dissertation research.
(1.) Investigation into the diversity and community structure of anaerobic fungi (order Neocallimastigales) from the feces of ruminant and nonruminant herbivores. Division of project funded by the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center entitled Enhancing the Enzymatic Conversion of Oklahoma Energy Crops into Fermentable Sugars. Molecular Microbial Ecology laboratory of Dr. Mostafa Elshahed, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University. May 2008 to present.
(2.) Ability of Neocallimastix spp. strains 4S and 14 to degrade switchgrass and their potential utility in the production of biofuels. Project funded by NSF-EPSCOR. Molecular Microbial Ecology laboratory of Dr. Mostafa Elshahed, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University. March 2010 (current).
Undergraduate:
Curator of the OSU Herbarium and preparation of floristic treatments for the Flora of Oklahoma Project. Work supervised by Dr. Ronald Tyrl, Department of Botany, Oklahoma State University. May 2006 to May of 2007.
Research assistant and lab technician. Investigation of Growth Responses and Maintenance of Continuous Culture System for Members of the Genus Picochlorum. Work supervised by Dr. William Henley, Department of Botany, Oklahoma State University. May 2006 to May of 2007.
Molecular biology technician. Investigation of KCO1 Potassium Channel Knockout Mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana. Work supervised by Dr. Gerald Schoenknecht, Department of Botany, Oklahoma State University. May 2005 to August of 2005.
Undergraduate research, MICRO 4990. Primary project: The Biodegradation of BTEX Compounds (including vinyl chloride and cis-dichloroethylene) by Halophilic and Halotolerant Microorganisms. Environmental Microbiology laboratory of Dr. Babu Fathepure, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University. August 2003 to May of 2005.
Honors and Awards:
Outstanding Student Poster Presentation award, 110th General Meeting of the American
Society for Microbiology, San Diego, CA.
Microbial Sciences Poster Session award, 110th General Meeting of the American
Society for Microbiology, San Diego, CA.
Student Travel Grant award, 110th General Meeting of the American Society for
Microbiology, San Diego, CA.
Missouri Valley Branch ASM meeting, second place in oral presentation. (Spring 2009)
Beginning graduate student division.
Recipient of the Anne Clark McHale Scholarship (2006-2007)
Awarded to an outstanding woman student majoring in chemistry, mathematics,
microbiology, or physics.
Outstanding Senior in Botany (2006)
Betty and Richard Speairs Jr. Fellowship in Botany (2006-2007)
Awarded to an outstanding botany major for training in field botany and herbarium
work.
Loren G. Hill Biological Station Endowment Scholarship (2006)
Awarded to outstanding students attending summer session classes at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station.
Non-Academic Employment:
Accurate Environmental Laboratories
Microbiologist / Chemist / Analyst, beginning date June 2007 to September 2008.
Teaching/Instruction:
Mentor/Instructor:
Undergraduate research, MICRO 4990, Spring ‘10
Professor: Dr. Mostafa Elshahed, Department of Microbiology and Molecular
Genetics
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Mentor/Instructor:
Undergraduate research, MICRO 4990, Spring ‘09
Professor: Dr. Mostafa Elshahed, Department of Microbiology and Molecular
Genetics
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Teaching Assistant / Laboratory Instructor:
Introduction to Microbiology, MICRO 2132, Summer ‘08
Professor: Dr. Kim Burnham, Department of Microbiology and Molecular
Genetics
Laboratory Manager: Connie Budd
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Teaching Assistant:
Cell and Molecular Biology, MICRO 3033, Spring ‘08
Professor: Dr. Rolf Prade, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Teaching Assistant / Laboratory Instructor:
Introduction to Biology: BIOL 1114, Fall ‘07
Professor: Dr. Donald French, Department of Zoology
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Tutor:
Microbiology, Botany, Biology, Spring ’04 to present.
Conferences / Workshops Attended:
American Society for Microbiology:
9th International Mycological Congress, accepted for Fall ‘10
General Meeting, poster presentation, Spring ‘10
General Meeting, poster presentation, Spring’09
Missouri Valley Branch, oral presentation, Spring’09
Missouri Valley Branch, attended, Spring’07
Missouri Valley Branch, attended, Spring’05
Oklahoma Academy of Science:
Field meeting, Spring’06
Technical meeting, Fall’06
Bioblitz:
Volunteer, Fall’05
Activities/Membership:
American Society for Microbiology:
Student member, 2008 to present
MMG Graduate Student organization:
President, Fall ’10 to Spring ’11
Vice President, Fall’09 to Spring’10
Microbiology club: (undergraduate)
President, Fall’05 to Spring’07
Vice President, Spring’05
Member, Spring’04 to Spring’07
OSU Botanical Society: (undergraduate)
Secretary and Treasurer, Fall’05 to Spring’07
Member, Fall’04 to Spring’07
Oklahoma Native Plants Society (ONPS):
Member, Fall’05 to Fall’06
Activities/Membership: (cont.)
Volunteer with The Right Path Riding Academy (a therapeutic horseback riding
program for the handicapped):
Instructor, Spring ‘07 to present
Leader trainer, Fall ‘06 to present
Leader, Spring ‘05 to present
Oklahoma City Astronomy Club:
Member, Fall’05 to present
The Mars Society / Mars Desert Research Station:
Member, Spring’09 to present