Towson University

Biological  Sciences
Biological Sciences

 

                          

                                                                                                                                                           Faculty

 

Meghan May, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of Biological Sciences

Towson University

Towson, MD 21252 USA

 

Office:  Smith 253

Phone: 410-704-2623

Fax:      410-704-2405

 

email: mmay@towson.edu

 

Education:

    Postdoc   University of Florida

    Ph.D.        University of Connecticut

    B.S.          University of New Hampshire

   

Courses Taught:

    BIOL 201     Cell Biology and Genetics

    BIOL 315     Medical Microbiology

    BIOL 615     Pathogenic Microbiology

 Dr. Meghan May, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University dissecting an alligator in search of parasitic bacteria.

Research Interests:

 

My research interests focus on an unusual group of parasitic bacteria, the genus Mycoplasma.  These interests are quite diverse, and include projects based on: 

  • Evolutionary drivers of virulence in Mycoplasma synoviae

  • Collaboration with the University of Florida, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Melbourne

  • The logistical impact of disease caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Mycoplasma hominis on the human population

  • Collaborations include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • The contribution of interspecies horizontal transfer of glycosidase genes to the emergence of novel pathogenic mycoplasmas

  • Collaboration with the University of Florida

  • Comparative genomics between the hypervirulent Mycoplasma alligatoris and the mildly virulent Mycoplasma crocodyli, and between strains of Mycoplasma canis from different mammalian hosts.

  • Collaboration with the J. Craig Venter Institute and the University of Florida

  • The use of mycoplasmas as a tool for characterizing novel antimicrobials

  • Developing infection models for Mycoplasma amphoriforme and Mycoplasma canis, and characterizing the pathology associated with disease

  • Collaboration with Miami University

  • Investigating the role of M. canis in idiopathic diseases of bats and dogs.

  • Collaboration with the University of Florida and the United States Geological Service National Wildlife Health Center

  • Opportunistic sampling of humans, livestock, or wildlife during suspected outbreaks of mycoplasmosis.

  • Collaborations include the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Baltimore Zoo, the Baltimore Aquarium, and others.

 

Dr. Meghan May giving an oral presentation on her Mycoplasma research at a scientific conference in Italy

 

 

 

 

 

Peer-reviewed Publications 

1.      M. May, D.R. Brown.  Improve Evolutionary Forecasting by Examining Both Sides of the Coin.  Science. 2010; In Press.

 

2.      M. May, D.R. Brown.  Diversifying and Stabilizing Selection of Sialidase and N-Acetylneuraminate Catabolism

          in Mycoplasma synoviae.  J Bacteriol. 2009; 191(11):3588-93.

 

3.      M. May, D.R. Brown.  Secreted Sialidase Activity of Canine Mycoplasmas.  Vet Microbiol.  2009; 137(3-4):380-3.

 

4.      M. May, D.R. Brown.  Genetic Variation in Sialidase and Linkage to N-acetylneuraminate Catabolism in Mycoplasma

          synoviae.  Microb Pathog. 2008; 45(1): 38-44.

 

5.      M. May, S.H. Kleven, D.R. Brown.  Sialidase Activity in Mycoplasma synoviae.  Av Dis. 2007; 51(4): 829–833.

 

6.      M. May, G. Javier Ortiz, L.D. Wendland, R.F. Relich, D.R. Rotstein, M.F. Balish, D.R. Brown.  Mycoplasma insons,

         sp. nov., a Twisted Mycoplasma from Green Iguanas.  FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2007 Sep; 274(2):298-303.

 

7.      M. May, L. Papazisi, T.S. Gorton, S.J. Geary.  Identification of Fibronectin-Binding Proteins of Mycoplasma

         gallisepticum Strain R.  Infect Immun. 2006 Mar; 74(3):1777-85.

 

8.      S. Frasca Jr, E.S. Weber, H. Urquhart, X. Liao, M. Gladd, K. Cecchini, P. Hudson, M. May, R.J. Gast, T.S. Gorton,

         S.J. Geary.  Isolation and characterization of Mycoplasma sphenisci sp. nov. from the choana of an aquarium-reared

         jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus).  J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Jun; 43(6):2976-9.

 Book Chapters

1.      D.R. Brown, M. May, J.M. Bradbury, K. Johansson.  “The Mollicutes”, in Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology

         Volume 4, Second Edition (N.R. Krieg, J.T. Staley, B. Hedlund, B.J. Paster, N. Ward, W. Ludwig and W.B. Whitman,

         eds.) Springer, New York, NY.  October 2010.

 

2.      D.R. Brown, M. May, J.M. Bradbury, K. Johansson, H. Neimark. “Order I. Mycoplasmatales,” and “Family I.

         Mycoplasmataceae”,  in Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology Volume 4, Second Edition (N.R. Krieg, J.T.

         Staley, B. Hedlund, B.J. Paster, N. Ward, W. Ludwig and W.B. Whitman, eds.) Springer, New York, NY.  October 2010.

 

3.      D.R. Brown, M. May, J.M. Bradbury, M.F. Balish, M.J. Calcutt, J.I. Glass, S. Tasker, J.B. Messick, K. Johansson,

         H. Neimark. “Genus I. Mycoplasma,” in Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology Volume 4, Second Edition

         (N.R. Krieg, J.T. Staley, B. Hedlund, B.J. Paster, N. Ward, W. Ludwig and W.B. Whitman, eds.) Springer, New York,

         NY.  October 2010.

 

4.      M. May, R.F. Whitcomb, D.R. Brown.  “Mycoplasmas and Related Organisms”, in the Handbook of Practical

         Microbiology (E. Goldman, ed.) Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL.  2008.

 

Professional Memberships

American Society for Microbiology (Divisions G and R)

International Organization for Mycoplasmology

International Research Programme on Comparative

          Mycoplasmology (Avian and Molecular Genetics Teams)

Association for Women in Science

 

 

Students:
 

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