Research Microbiologist
Dr. Indira T. Kudva
Research Microbiologist
USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center
Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit
Bldg. 20, 1 North, Room #1121
1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010.
Email: indira.kudva@usda.gov
Phone: (515) 337-7376
Degrees:
B.Sc. Stella Maris College, Chennai, India; Zoology; 1984
M.Sc. Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India; Medical Microbiology; 1987
Ph.D. University of Idaho, Moscow, ID; Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; 1997
Postdoctoral Fellowships:
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID; 1998
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; 2001
Professional Appointments:
Diagnostic Laboratory Manager, St. John’s Medical College Hospital, India; 1988-1992
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital,
Boston, MA; 2001-2007
Consultant and Owner, Microbianome, Newberry, FL; 2008-2009
Research Microbiologist, USDA-ARS, NADC, Ames, IA; 2009-Current
Affiliate Assistant Professor, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; 2014-2020
Affiliate Associate Professor, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; 2020-Current
Laboratory Personnel:
Scientific Support Technician: Mr. Bryan Wheeler, B.S.
ORISE Postgraduate: Ms. Erika Biernbaum, M.S.
Research Interests and Projects:
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are foodborne pathogens that can cause disease in humans ranging from diarrhea, bloody diarrhea or hemorrhagic colitis to the hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with kidney failure and death. Although several ruminants harbor STEC, cattle are considered to be the primary reservoirs for these bacteria, as most outbreaks have been linked, directly or indirectly, to bovine sources. STEC colonize the gastrointestinal tracts of cattle but the animals remain asymptomatic and disease-free. My current research is molded around the USDA mission to develop preharvest (before slaughter) strategies to control STEC in cattle in order to minimize 'farm to fork' contamination of food. Towards this end, I am using global (proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome analysis) and targeted (genetic, histological, cell and in vitro organ culture, animal study) technologies to analyze STEC colonization dynamics and identify key targets for therapeutic and diagnostic use. Projects in my laboratory address, (i) STEC interactions with the bovine gastrointestinal cells especially those at the recto-anal junction (RAJ), (ii) STEC factors that promote its survival in the bovine rumen and persistence at the RAJ, (iii) Adherence mechanisms deployed by STEC in strain and host-dependent manner, (iv) Development of rational vaccines and vaccine-alternatives that target STEC in cattle and (v) Development of diagnostic assays to study STEC adherence and to identify STEC-colonized cattle.
Recent Publications:
PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Kudva+I
