Chemistry Faculty: Hannah R. Malcolm, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Office: Science & Engineering (Building 50), Room 3130
Lab: Science & Engineering (Building 50), Room 3024
Phone: (904) 620-1963
Email: hannah.malcolm@unf.edu
Website: Malcolmlab.com
Education
Bachelor of Science – Texas A&M University 2006
Ph.D. – Washington University in St. Louis 2012
Postdoctoral Research – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 2012-2015
Teaching
In 2020 Dr. Malcolm was awarded a UNF Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award for her efforts in the classroom. Dr. Malcolm teaches General Chemistry I (2045) and General Chemistry I Laboratory (2045L).
Research
Dr. Malcolm’s research interests focus on how bacteria sense their environment and how we can utilize that machinery as potential targets for antibiotics. Specifically, we focus on the ability of a cell to sense changes in their osmotic environment through mechanosensitive ion channels, these channels are essential for cellular survival in response to osmotic downshock. Bacterial mechanosensitive ion channels are typically members of the MscS (mechanosensitive channel of small conductance) superfamily or homologous to MscL (mechanosensitive channel of large conductance). My research group studies these channels in E. coli, P. graminis, and other novel bacterial strains. We utilize qPCR, patch clamp electrophysiology on native membranes, heterologous expression, and other biochemical techniques to investigate these channels. For more information you can check out the lab website.
