People

Dr. Dillon has a background in Biochemistry (B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison), Biology (M.S., University of Minnesota), Microbiology (Ph.D., University of Minnesota) and Host Pathogen Interactions (Postdoctoral researcher, University of California-San Diego).

After earning his B.S. in biochemistry Dr. Dillon worked as a chemist at a large pharmaceutical company primarily focusing on the pharmaceutics of drug formulation and distribution. Dr. Dillon returned to graduate school at UMN and found his passion for microbiology studying the survival potential of pathogenic Enterococcus facalis in sands, soils, and watersheds in the laboratory of Dr. Gary Dunny. For his PhD dissertation, conducted in the laboratory of Prof. Anthony Baughn at UMN, Dr. Dillon defined the molecular mechanism of action of the first-line antibiotic pyrazinamide against virulent BSL3 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis linking its activity to stress and host responses. While a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Prof. Victor Nizet at UCSD, he expanded his horizons to incorporate host-pathogen interactions and innate immunity, along with experimental therapeutics of different leading MDR pathogens.

Now as an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas Dr. Dillon runs a research program focused on unravelling the mysteries behind how antibiotic resistance evolves, is treated, and can be prevented in the the CDC and WHO high-priority pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Our work was recently highlighted by Dr. Dillon’s receiving the 2021 Royal Society of Chemistry’s Organic Division Horizon Prize: Robert Robinson Award in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.

Patricio Rubin de Celis is a Lab Technician for The Dillon Lab at the University of Texas at Dallas. His work focuses on developing murine models of infection for all of the pathogens in the lab including Acinetobacter baumannnii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and various Streptococci species. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 2022, with a Bachelors degree in Biology. Some of his favorite hobbies include playing the piano and solving puzzles. 

Muneer Yaqub is a PhD candidate in the Dillon Lab, dedicated to unraveling the mechanistic basis of colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. Beyond his research, he enjoys mentoring graduate school applicants seeking scholarships

Our lab focuses on unraveling the complex mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii, a formidable Gram-negative bacterium responsible for severe healthcare-associated infections. With a particular emphasis on multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains, my research investigates genetic determinants, fitness responses, and molecular pathways driving antibiotic resistance. By studying the effectiveness of minocycline, a promising antibiotic that targets A. baumannii, my work aims to uncover novel resistance mechanisms and shed light on the genetic elements facilitating resistance. These insights have the potential to inform innovative treatment strategies, addressing the critical global health threat posed by MDR A. baumannii infections and contributing to our broader understanding of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens.

Namrata Bonde is from Mumbai, India, where she completed her undergraduate studies earning a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Biotechnology. Currently, pursuing her Ph.D. in the Dillon Lab, her project focuses on the evolution of antibiotic resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The vast multi-disciplinary project aims to unravel the complex and dynamic interplay between S. aureus and the selective pressures imposed by the antibiotics. The project strives to exploit the collateral effects of antibiotic resistance and incorporate the intricate molecular mechanisms to further the research on the impact of antibiotic resistance on host-pathogen interactions.  Apart from research, Namrata likes to travel, read and learn to solve puzzles.

Anna Evers graduated summa cum laude from The University of Texas at Dallas with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and was fast-tracked into UTD’s graduate program.  Currently a Ph.D. student in the Dillon lab, her project is centered on the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii.  Specifically, how the numerous environmental and antibiotic pressures combine to collectively drive A. baumannii towards different evolutionary trajectories and how these trajectories can be manipulated using the collateral relationships of antibiotic resistance.  These insights have the potential to help slow the development of antibiotic resistance and preserve the effectiveness of our current antibiotics.  Outside of lab, Anna enjoys baking and English Paper Piecing.

I have graduated with a Master’s degree from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India and as a Ph.D. student in Dillon lab, I’m working on a project that aims to understand the role of bicarbonate in enhancing antibiotic susceptibility against multi-drug resistant Psuedomonas aeruginosa and improve the Cystic Fibrosis lung conditions. The broader objective is to gain insights into the interplay between P. aeruginosa, the host CF environment, and the selective pressures imposed by antibiotics and develop effective strategies to combat the bacterial infections. Beyond the realm of research, I enjoy doodling and exploring the culinary arts.

Tuhina Maity is currently a Ph.D. Student in the Dillon lab. Her research is centered on unraveling the intricate dynamics of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Specifically, she is delving into the fascinating interplay between bicarbonate levels and the evolution of azithromycin resistance. Her current focus involves identifying acquired mutations in key genes associated with azithromycin resistance, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms at play. Her future endeavors are driven by a commitment to uncover the nuanced ways in which bicarbonate impacts the evolution of azithromycin resistance in P. aeruginosa.

Nathaniel Thomas completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, earning an Honors B.S. in Biology. His honors thesis project was centered on interactions between human macrophages and HIV. Now as a PhD student, Nathaniel is focused on studying the virulence capabilities of Acinetobacter baumannii. He is analyzing a few strains of interest that have varying levels of resistance and virulence, and hopes to understand their specific, and unique, virulence mechanisms. To accomplish this in an in vitro setting, he is working with cells such as macrophages and neutrophils. He plans to continue exploring this work in an in vivo environment.

Mike Camp Graduated Magna cum laude from Texas A&M University in 2009. His undergraduate research centered around glucose signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. He then went on to obtain a MS in Biology from UT Arlington in 2016. 

Mike’s Research is centered around Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its role in cystic fibrosis pathology.  Cystic fibrosis pathology lends to lung conditions that precipitate the evolution of antibiotic resistance (AR) in P. aeruginosa. Hence, P. aeruginosa is also implicated in cystic fibrosis mortality. My research is currently involved in finding AR genes that are predominant in strains recovered from cystic fibrosis patients. This is accomplished through data mining genome records and extracting the relevant gene and resistance data and using that data to build a statistical model capable of identifying AR genes.