Kristen N. Savage
Oklahoma State University 516 Foxfire Rd.
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Edmond, OK73003
1110 S. Innovation Way (405) 863-0620 Stillwater, OK 74074
(405) 744-3193
Kristen.savage@okstate.edu
EDUCATION
B.S. in Microbiology, minor in chemistry.
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 1998-2003
Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology.
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 2003-2009
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Post-doctoral Research Associate: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, 2009-present (Dr. Mostafa S. Elshahed)
- Characterization of the strategies used by extreme halophilic Archaea, isolated from low-salt environments, to adapt to fluctuating salt concentrations.
- Comparing the diversity of extreme halophilic Archaea in different environments.
Doctoral Research: Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, 2003-2009 (research advisor: Dr. Lee R. Krumholz)
- Isolation and characterization of novel halophilic Archaea.
- Enrichment and study of microorganisms capable of anaerobic degradation of short-chain hydrocarbons under sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions.
Undergraduate Research: Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, 2003 (research advisor: Dr. Michael McInerney)
- Comparing the biosurfactant producing ability of multiple strains of Bacillus.
- Optimization of biosurfactant production through conjugation of Bacillus species.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant: Ecology and Pathogenic Laboratory, University of Oklahoma 2005- 2008
- Short introductory lectures, monitored field trips, help to design experiments and lab manual, graded laboratory reports, quizzes and notebooks.
Engineering in Practice Fellow: Maysville High School, Maysville, Oklahoma 2006-2007
- Work with rural Oklahoma high school instructors to develop lessons and lab activities which use an inquiry based method to teach. These lessons were geared to increase student’s confidence and interest in scientific subjects.
Teaching Assistant: Fundamentals of Microbiology Introductory Laboratory, University of Oklahoma 2003
- Introductory laboratory lectures, monitored lab work and graded lab reports. Held regular office hours.
PUBLICATIONS
In Print:
Savage KN, Krumholz LR, Oren A and Elshahed MS (2008) Halosarcina pallida gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from a low-salt spring. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. April;58:856-860.
Savage KN, Krumholz LR, Oren A and Elshahed MS (2007) Haladaptatus paucihalophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from a low-salt, high-sulfide spring. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. Jan;57:19-24.
Elshahed MS, Savage KN, Oren A, Gutierrez MC, Ventosa A, and Krumholz LR (2004) Haloferax sulfurifontis sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from a sulfide- and sulfur-rich spring. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. Nov;54:2275-2279.
Youssef NH, Duncan KE, Nagle DP, Savage KN, Knapp RM and McInerney MJ (2004) Comparison of methods to detect biosurfactant production by diverse microorganisms. J Microbiol Methods.Mar; 56(3); 339-347
ABSTRACTS and PRESENTATIONS
Savage KN, Elshahed MS, Allen J, Philp RP and Krumholz LR. Biodegradation of Short Chain (C2-C6) N-Alkanes Under Methanogenic and Sulfate-Reducing Conditions. Presented at the Annual American Society For Microbiology General Meeting. Poster presentation. Toronto, Canada. 2007.
Savage KN, Elshahed MS, and Krumholz LR. Isolation and characterization of novel extremely halophilic Archaea from a low-salt, high-sulfide spring. Presented at the 4th Annual Microbial Observatories Principal Investigators’ Workshop. Oral Presentation. Washington D.C. 2007.
Savage KN, Elshahed MS, and Krumholz LR. Novel halophilic Archaea recovered from a low-salt, high sulfide spring. Presented at the Annual American Society For Microbiology General Meeting. Poster presentation. Atlanta, GA. 2005.
Savage KN, Elshahed MS, and Krumholz LR. Isolation and Identification of the Halophilic Archaeal Community at Zodletone Spring. Presented at the 3rd Annual Microbial Observatories Principal Investigators’ Workshop. Abstract. Big Sky, MT. 2004.
Savage KN, Elshahed MS, Oren A, and Krumholz LR. Haloferax sulfurifontis sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from sulfide and sulfur-rich spring. Presented at the Annual American Society For Microbiology General Meeting. Poster presentation. New Orleans, LA. 2004.
Savage KN, Elshahed MS, Oren A and Krumholz LR. Haloferax sulfurifontis sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from a low-salinity, sulfide-rich spring. Presented at the Joint American Society For Microbiology Branch Annual Meeting & Midwest Microbiology Educators Conference. Oral presentation. Kansas City, MO. 2004.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Investigation into the interactions of microorganisms with their environment.
- Applying culture dependent techniques to build-on 16S rRNA environmental data.
- Isolation and characterization of novel halophilic Archaea from a low-salt, spring with an emphasis on studying their role in this spring and their ability to survive under low-salt conditions.
- Enrichment of native microorganisms from a hydrocarbon impacted site that are capable of anaerobically degrading short-chain alkanes specifically ethane, propane, butane, pentane and hexane under sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions.
AWARDS
George L. & Cleo Cross Scholarship Award 2008.
National Science Foundation Graduate K-12 Fellowship. University of Oklahoma Engineering in Practice (EiP) for a Sustainable Future. 2006-2007.
Lois Pfiester Women in Science Scholarship Award. 2007.
American Society for Microbiology Corporate Activities Program Student Travel Grant Award, 2007.
First Place awarded for oral presentation at Missouri Valley Branch ASM meeting. 2004.
Travel Award, 3rd Annual Microbial Observatories Principal Investigators’ Workshop. 2004.
American Society for Microbiology Corporate Activities Program Student Travel Grant Award, 2004.