Dr. Stephanie Shames

Biography

Stephanie Shames is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology at Michigan State University. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Western Ontario obtained in 2006 and a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia completed in 2012. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Shames pursued a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine from 2012 to 2017. Her research focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms of intracellular bacterial pathogens, particularly Legionella pneumophila, which causes Legionnaires' disease. This bacterium is unique as it replicates in free-living protozoa and is also capable of infecting humans. Dr. Shames' lab utilizes advanced biochemical, immunological, and cell biological techniques to understand how bacterial effector proteins manipulate host responses and contribute to virulence. She aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Effector-Triggered Immunity and their potential as targets for developing novel antimicrobial strategies. Through her work, she addresses critical questions regarding bacterial pathogenicity and immune evasion and investigates regulatory mechanisms governing the interactions between these pathogens and host cells.

Research Interests

Experience