Dr. Nancy Keller

Biography

Nancy Keller is a Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology and Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She conducts graduate research in human environmental health sciences, emphasizing the genetic dissection of fungi that act as potent pathogens and their role in producing natural products. Her research lab focuses on elucidating the molecules involved in the virulence of pathogenic fungi affecting plants, animals, and humans. Among the pathogenic fungi that her team investigates are Aspergillus flavus, known for contaminating seed crops globally and producing the carcinogen aflatoxin, and Penicillium expansum, which contaminates apples and generates the mycotoxin patulin. Additionally, they study Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of White Nose Syndrome in bats, and other significant pathogens like fumigatus, which causes invasive aspergillosis with mortality rates ranging from 50% to 90%. Her work aims to develop novel bioactive fungal secondary metabolites for drug development and to train students in molecular and environmental toxicology.

Research Interests