The Dolan Lab is excited to welcome two new members, Shafi (PhD student) and Lindsay (research tech). Wonderful to see the team continue to grow (Stephen is most definitely outnumbered now!).

Stephen attended ABRCMS, a conference which was founded by ASM to encourage minority, first-generation, veteran, and disabled students to pursue higher education in STEM, from 13-16 November on behalf of EPIC and the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry. Alongside meeting with students from all over the US and discussing the opportunities that are available at Clemson with them, he judged poster presentations in the microbiology category.

The Dolan Lab attended the 12th Cellular Biology of Eukaryotic Pathogens Meeting (CBEP), EPIC's annual conference, on 28/29 October. This was a very successful outing for the lab: both Deeya and Gunar presented posters on their work, and Jess gave a talk on her research. Stephen was an organizer, and chaired one of the sessions which included a talk by invited speaker, Dr. Anna Selmecki from the University of Minnesota. The meeting culminated with the presentation of the Bauer Family Travel award, with Jess successfully securing one of two awards. 

Well done to everyone!

Stephen, Jess, and Mallory attended the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), 26-28 October. This annual meeting brings together scientists, clinicians, and caregivers from around the world to discuss and share ideas on the latest advances in CF research, care, and drug development and to exchange ideas about ways to improve the health and quality of life for people with CF. Both Jess and Mallory presented posters, and Stephen chaired a session alongside Dr. Deb Hogan (Dartmouth).

Cameron Kennedy completed her five-week summer rotation as part of the EUREKA! program. This program gives incoming first-year Honors students the opportunity to gain research experience before beginning their freshman year. Cameron's project focused on how bacteria change in the presence of fungi. The Dolan Lab are delighted that Cameron will be returning in Fall 24 as an undergraduate researcher. Welcome to the team, Cameron!

Logan Gardner and Zechariah (Zech) Karsana joined the lab in June for an eight-week rotation as part of the EPIC MEnTOR (Medical Enrichment Through Opportunities in Research)  program. MeNTOR provides NIH-funded traineeships to selected students who have completed their first year at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Zech and Logan's project was based on understanding the genetic basis of how Aspergillus fumigatus responds to bacteria.

The Dolan Lab participated in the Great Strides walk, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event, in Greer City Park: a great opportunity to get out in the sunshine for a very worthy cause! The lab was presented with a 'New Strider on the Block' award for our fundraising efforts and we look forward to this becoming an annual event.

The first annual Dolan Lab mini golf competition took place at The Oasis Ranch on a balmy spring evening. The competition was stiff with Jess taking victory and Gunar a close second. Special mention goes to Shamrat who had never golfed before and chose a child's club for his round (it should be noted that he still beat Stephen).

NIAID K22 NOA: 'Defining mechanisms of fungal-bacterial interactions during infection' - NIH NIAID Career Transition Award. This award will support the Dolan Lab polymicrobial research for the next 2 years.

Shamrat was selected to present his research poster to life sciences industry experts at the SCbio 2024 Annual Conference.

Shamrat presented his first poster from the lab at the 11th Cellular Biology of Eukaryotic Pathogens Meeting. Great work, Shamrat!