Principal Investigator

Timothy Casselli, Ph.D.

Dr. Casselli is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of South Alabama. He completed a B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University), and a M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Calgary. He then earned his Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases from Washington State University. His graduate research focused on the identification of virulence determinants in human pathogens including Vibrio and Borrelia species. Dr. Casselli's postdoctoral research in the lab of Catherine Brissette at the University of North Dakota focused on the mammalian immune responses to infection with B. burgdorferi, with a focus on the central nervous system and associated barrier tissues.

Dr. Casselli's current research  is inspired by both his graduate and postdoctoral studies. He continues to pursue research into both sides of the host-pathogen interface with relevance to Lyme disease: 1) On the bacterial side, he draws on his molecular biology training and experience with genetic manipulation of B. burgdorferi in order to identify bacterial factors important for spirochete colonization and immunopathologies affecting the CNS. 2) With respect to host response and immunopathology, he is interested in the mechanisms of invasion and localized inflammation/tissue damage in the CNS and associated barrier tissues during active Borrelia infection, as well as how immune dysregulation and/or autoimmunity may contribute to post-treatment sequelae.

Lab Members

Yvonne Tourand, Ph.D.

Dr. Tourand is a research associate and lab manager in the Casselli lab. She completed her B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Microbiology and Immunolgy at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University). Her graduate research and training focused on the DNA-protein biochemistry involved in telomere resolution by the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi.  Her post-doctoral research focus shifted to elucidating virulence determinants in B. burgdorferi through genetic manipulation of the bacterium for evaluation in laboratory animal models of Lyme disease. She has also developed systems and protocols for cultivation and/or genetic manipulation of other pathogenic Borrelia species. She brings her expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, and spirochete biology to the Casselli lab, and plans to expand her research towards elucidating the mechanisms of CNS immunopathologies during Lyme disease.

London Hinton

London is a second-year medical student at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. He has a deep interest in neurology and neurodegenerative disorders. London joined the Casselli lab as part of the medical summer research program to investigate the spatial distribution of inflammatory markers common to Lyme disease and other neurodegenerative disorders in the brain. During the summer he discovered a love of reasearch, and decided to remain in the lab throughout his medical studies to pursue a M.D. degree with research honors. His long-term goals are to deliver compassionate patient care and pursue innovative clinical/translational research focusing on neurological disorders.