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Audra Balcer, Ph.D.

Audra Balcer
  • Assistant Professor
  • LB Course Subject Area: Biology
  • pronouns: she/her

LBC COURSES

  • LB 144: Biology I: Organismal Biology

  • LB 145: Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology

INTRO

I implement hands-on, evidence-based learning techniques to teach core biological principles in both the classroom and the laboratory. I demonstrate how to approach biology using critical and analytical thinking skills, research skills, and communication and presentation skills. I approach science in an interdisciplinary manner, guiding students to push the boundaries of discovery in the classroom in order to apply these efforts in real world scientific settings. Most importantly, I emphasize the value of teamwork and interpersonal skills so that students are fully prepared to promote equity and equality in their future careers. When people gather from differing nationalities, backgrounds, and cultures, scientific discovery moves forward. As a scientific educator, it is my responsibility to facilitate these gatherings, to encourage students to participate and thrive in a diverse and respectful learning environment, so that they continue this practice after graduating.

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences (Emphasis: Microbial Pathogenesis), The Ohio State University

  • M.S. Biomolecular Science, Lipscomb University

  • B.S. Biology, Trevecca Nazarene University

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Denoted as Fullen AR for all publications to date:

  • Yount KS, Hall JM, Caution K, Shamseldin MM, Guo M, Marion K, Fullen AR, Huang Y, Maynard JA, Quataert SA, Deora R, Dubey P. Systemic priming and intranasal booster with a BcfA-adjuvanted acellular pertussis vaccine generates CD4+ IL-17+ nasal tissue resident T cells and reduces B. pertussis nasal colonization. Frontiers in Immunology. 2023 May 18;14:1181876.

  • Fullen AR*, Gutierrez-Ferman JL*, Rayner RE*, Kim SH, Chen P, Dubey P, Wozniak DJ, Peeples M, Cormet-Boyaka E, Deora R. Architecture and Matrix Assembly Determinants of Bordetella pertussis Biofilms on Primary Human Airway Epithelium. PLoS Pathogens. 2023 Feb 23;19(2):e1011193.

  • Fullen AR, Gutierrez-Ferman JL, Yount KS, Love CF, Choi HG, Vargas MA, Raju D, Corps KN, Howell PL, Dubey P, Deora R. Bps polysaccharide of Bordetella pertussis resists antimicrobial peptides by functioning as a dual surface shield and decoy and converts Escherichia coli into a respiratory pathogen. PLoS Pathogens. 2022 Aug 15;18(8):e1010764.

  • Fullen AR, Yount KS, Dubey P, Deora R. Whoop! There it is: The surprising resurgence of pertussis. PLoS Pathogens. 2020 Jul 23;16(7):e1008625.

  • Harrison A, Hardison RL, Fullen AR, Wallace RM, Gordon DM, White P, Jennings RN, Justice SS, Mason KM. Continuous Microevolution Accelerates Disease Progression during Sequential Episodes of Infection. Cell Reports. 2020 Mar 3;30(9):2978-2988.e3.

  • Yount KS, Jennings-Gee J, Caution K, Fullen AR, Corps KN, Quataert S, Deora R, Dubey P. Bordetella Colonization Factor A (BcfA) Elicits Protective Immunity against Bordetella bronchiseptica in the Absence of an Additional Adjuvant. Infection & Immunity. 2019 Sep 19;87(10):e00506-19.

  • Surdel MC, Horvath DJ Jr, Lojek LJ, Fullen AR, Simpson J, Dutter BF, Salleng KJ, Ford JB, Jenkins JL, Nagarajan R, Teixeira PL, Albertolle M, Georgiev IS, Jansen ED, Sulikowski GA, Lacy DB, Dailey HA, Skaar EP. Antibacterial photosensitization through activation of coproporphyrinogen oxidase. PNAS. 2017 Aug 8;114(32):E6652-E6659.