Jessica Tung
Program: Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Current advisor: Drew Schwartz, MD, PhD
Undergraduate university: University of Texas-Arlington
Research summary
Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are the most common cause of neonatal
sepsis in developed countries. It remains unclear whether the preterm gut microbiome plays a role in the pathogenesis or transmission of CoNS associated with late-onset sepsis. I am performing strain tracking of CoNS BSI isolates within a cohort of preterm infants hospitalized across three Midwestern NICUs between 2009-2013 and 2022 to assess temporal and spatial dynamics of CoNS strain sharing within this highly vulnerable population.
Graduate publications