Welcome to Microbiology @ South Alabama
Welcome to Sinéad M. Ní Chadhain’s microbiology site. I’m an associate professor in the biology department at the University of South Alabama. I’m a microbial ecologist. I earned my Ph.D. from the College of Marine Studies at the University of Delaware where I studied the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi. My students and I are interested in how microbes degrade or transform pollutants such as oil, pharmaceuticals and toxic metals. We’re also interested in water quality measures and the effects of waste water treatment plants on water quality.
Senior biology major Caroline Jordan and recent biology graduate Lisa Leatherwood presented their research on naphthalene degrading bacteria at the 105th annual meeting of the southeastern branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Feb 21-23, in Huntsville, AL.
Five members of the biology department were honored at Mortar Board’s “Top Prof” dinner this year. Pictured above are Erin Itza, Julie Duchock, Caleb Braun, Joshua Penninger, Mary Kroetz, myself, Joel Borden, Tim Sherman, and Annie Nguyen.
Former Master’s students Kaine O’Neal (MS 2019) and Loreen Bynum (2017) presenting their thesis research at the ASM Microbe meeting in New Orleans. They studied bacteria that can degrade triclosan (an antibacterial) and naproxen (the active compound in Aleve). Both compounds can have harmful effects when released into the environment. Both Kaine and Loreen were awarded travel grants by ASM. Amy Schwarber (not pictured) also attended and presented her research on fecal enterococci.
Contact information: snichadhainATsouthalabamaDOTedu