ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ

Education

Master of Science · Cellular, Molecular, & Microbial Biology
Specialized in microbial ecology and evolution
ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ · Aug 2017–Dec 2022

Bachelor of Science · Biology, Cum Laude
Specialized in cellular, molecular, and genetic biology
Coastal Carolina University · Aug 2012–May 2017

Bachelor of Science · Marine Science, Cum Laude
Coastal Carolina University · Aug 2012–May 2017

Publications

Miller SR, Ulrich NJ, Rebbeck V, Wheeler T, and Pierpont CL. Evolution of post-transcriptional regulation shapes temperature adaptation of a thermophilic cyanobacterium. IN PREP

Broddrick JT, Pierpont CL, and Miller SR. Leveraging constraint-based metabolic modelling to investigate the principles of thermal adaptation during diversification of a thermophilic cyanobacterial clade. IN PREP

Bosco J, Gagliano E, Boshae K, Statz J, Wheeler T, Cuello D, Sliter A, Newby C, Lin B, Demeler A, Pierpont C, Yates-Hansen C, Sydor M, Ferrini M, Kuch K, Cooper B, Piggot B, Certel S, Hansen K, Sprang S, Bowler B, McClelland L, and Berkmen M. 2024. A galactose-based auto-expression system improves T7-inducible protein production in Escherichia coli. Nature Scientific Reports. IN PRESS

Pierpont CL, Baroch JJ, Church MJ, and Miller SR. 2024. Idiosyncratic genome evolution of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus at the limits of phototrophy. The ISME Journal, 18(1).

Pierpont CL, Ohkubo S, Miyashita H, and Miller SR. 2022. Draft genome sequence of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain Nb3U1. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 11(5).

Barthet MM, Pierpont CL, and Tavernier E. 2020. Unraveling the role of the enigmatic MatK maturase in chloroplast group IIA excision. Plant Direct, 4(3).

Specialized Skills

• Environmental collection and strain isolation of microbial organisms
• Maintenance of microbial culture collections, including common BSL2 pathogens
• Construction and maintenance of custom chemostat bioreactors
• Determination of antimicrobial MIC and MBC
• Preparation of myriad defined, undefined, rich, and minimal solid and liquid culture media
• Compound light microscopy
• Determination of viable cell density via spread plate and trypan blue methods
• Determination of total cell density and cell volume via epifluorescence microscopy and related image analysis
• Spectrophotometry and spectrofluorometry of microbial cultures
• PAM fluorometry
• Clark-type oxygen microsensor profiling
• DNA and RNA extraction
• Assessment of nucleic acid quality and quantity via spectrophotometry and fluorometry, including microfluorometric methods
• General PCR, particularly 16S rRNA screening
• General molecular cloning and preparation of expression constructs
• Preparation of Illumina sequencing libraries
• De novo microbial genome assembly from Illumina and Nanopore sequences
• Functional microbial genome annotation
• Phylogenetic reconstruction and related analyses
• Comparative genomics of microbial genomes
• Linux programming and practical command line computing
• Management of a research lab space, including inventory maintenance, use of procurement software, and upkeep of EHS compliance
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Adobe-like vector graphics software

Professional Experience

CURRENT APPOINTMENTS:

Research Associate · Jan 2025–present
PIs: Jim Elser, PhD and Helena Klip, PhD
ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ, Flathead Lake Biological Station

Conducting chemostat experiments testing the effects of phosphorous and nitrogen limitation on the growth and physiology of the “snow alga” Chloromonas typhlos (aka Chlamydomonas nivalis). Various biochemical parameters will be measured to assess physiology under these stressors.

Independent Contractor · Oct 2023–present
PI: Thomas Rau, PhD
Wintermute Biomedical Inc.

Maintaining cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (BAA1026), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853), and Escherichia coli (ATCC25922). Conducting myriad experiments testing efficacy and assessing MOA of proprietary antimicrobials against these bacteria.

Research Laboratory Manager · Aug 2022–present
PI: R. Frank Rosenzweig
ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ, Division of Biological Sciences

Established and managed a new space for the Rosenzweig Lab ahead of its return to the ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ. Currently responsible for chemical inventory, EHS compliance, lab equipment maintenance, and management of supplies during scientific experimentation.

PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:

Research Collaborator · Mar–May 2024
PI: James Bosco, PhD
ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ, Division of Biological Sciences

Conducted a series of experiments testing expression efficacy of plasmid construct under several defined sugar environments to confirm mechanism of auto-induction in a novel broth. Assessed expression via in vivo eGFP signal in BL21 (DE3) and SHuffle T7 Escherichia coli backgrounds.

Scientific Consultant · Feb–Mar 2024
Supervisors: JM Christiansen and Michael Legg
Montana Repertory Theatre

Provided scientific consultation for a short on-stage science experiment for the show Monster + Farmer as part of the theater’s 2024 Educational Tour. The story involved a teenage science protégé whose Frankenstein-inspired creation goes haywire.

Research Associate · Aug 2022–Dec 2024
PIs: Jim Elser, PhD and Matt Church, PhD
ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ, Flathead Lake Biological Station

Conducted long-term evolution experiments with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under ecologically relevant nutrient limitations (low light, nitrogen, and phosphorus) in custom chemostats. Genomic and biochemical parameters were measured to assess evolutionary change in physiology.

Graduate Research Assistant · Aug 2017–Dec 2022
PI: Scott R Miller, PhD
ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ, Division of Biological Sciences

Generated 65+ cyanobacterial strains isolated from geothermal hot springs between 50 and 70°C in Yellowstone National Park. Employed myriad phylogenetic, genomic, and physiological approaches to understand thermal adaptation in the most thermotolerant phototrophs on Earth.

Laboratory Assistant · May–Jun 2017
Supervisor: Suzanne S. Senchak, M.S.
Coastal Carolina University, Biology Department

Prepared introductory biology laboratory classes for a summer session, which largely included simple assays and activities designed to highlight the basic chemical properties of life and characterize macromolecules. Updated lab protocols where necessary to streamline curricula.

Undergraduate Research Assistant · Jan 2013–Jun 2017
PI: Michelle M Barthet, PhD
Coastal Carolina University, Biology Department

Used Gateway Cloning techniques to generate expression constructs for several putative splicing targets of the chloroplast maturase MatK from Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. Helped conceptualize an in vitro assay to confirm MatK enzymatic activity for the first time.

Assistant Laboratory Manager · Aug 2013–Jun 2017
Supervisor: Walter Showers Jr.
Coastal Carolina University, Marine Science Department

Prepared lower- and upper-division marine science laboratory classes, including marine biology, chemistry, and geology. Responsibilities also included EHS maintenance of research labs, and upkeep of department aquaria, stockrooms, and preserved specimens for the department.