Alison Kanak, Ph.D.
Area(s) of Expertise: Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Genetics, Environmental Microbiology , Microbial Bioremediation (Advising Area of Expertise: Biology, Pre-Physical Therapy)
Courses Taught
- BIOL 1101/L - Introductory Biology: A Human Perspective
- BIOL 1107K - Principles of Biology I
- BIOL 2260K - Microbiology for Allied Health Professions
- BIOL 2900 - Honors Phage Discovery Lab and Bioinformatics
- BIOL 3220K - Genetics
- BIOL 4626 - Virology
- BIOL 4540 Biotechnology
Education
- Ph.D., Biology, Georgia State University, Georgia, 2014
- M.S., Biology, Georgia State University, Georgia, 2008
- B.S., Applied Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology , 2005
Research/Special Interests
Dr. Kanak’s research interests focus on microbiology and specifically gene regulation within microbes. Currently Dr. Kanak is working on identifying and characterizing novel bacteriophage from environmental samples that infect bacteria. This includes studying optimal replication parameters, analysis of phage protein function, analysis of phage gene regulation during replication and lysogeny, and determination of gene assignments. Students working with Dr. Kanak will employ a combination of bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques commonly used in genetics and microbiology laboratories.
Publications
Rhinehart, Laidlaw, O'Neal, Toller, Segura-Totten, Shanks, Kanak. Characterization and Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium Phage XianYue. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2020 Jun 18;9(25):e00459-20. doi: 10.1128/MRA.00459-20. PMID: 32554787; PMCID: PMC7303407.
Lantis, Mattison, Miller, Williams, Kanak. Characterization and Genome Sequence for Gordonia phage Amore2. Submitted to Microbial Resource Announcements 2022
Daly, Nesbit, Buchholz, Kanak. Characterization and Genome Sequence of Arthrobacter phage Iter. Submitted to Microbial Resource Announcements 2022.
Nesbit, Kanak. Genomic sequence identification of Arthrobacter phage Ascela. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2023 Nov 16;12(11).
Shanks, Berry, Kanak. Characterization and Expression of Novel Mycobacteriophage XianYue Genome. Papers & Publications. 2023 Dec 5; 9.
Tatum, Murray, Bicknell, Webb, Kanak. Genome sequence and annotation of Arthrobacter globiformis phage Ruchi (AS1) isolated from soil in Lumpkin County, Georgia. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2024 Mar; 13(4).
Chuhran, Whitlow, Teems, Kanak, Webb. Genome sequence and annotation of Arthrobacter globiformis phage Vulpecula (AS1) isolated from soil in Dahlonega, Georgia. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2024 Feb; 13(3).
Bullows, Kanak, Shedrick, Kiessling, Aklujkar, Kostka, Chin. Anaerobic Benzene Oxidation in Geotalea daltonii Involves Activation by Methylation and is Regulated by the Transition State Regulator AbrB. Appl Enviro Microbio. 2024.
Work Experience
- Part-Time Instructor, Georgia State University, 2014 - 2015
- Limited Term Lecturer, University of North Georgia 2015 - 2016
- Lecturer, University of North Georgia 2016 - 2018
- Assistant Professor, University of North Georgia 2018 - 2023
- Associate Professor, University of North Georgia, 2023 - present