Otto Research Group

The Pathogen Molecular Genetics section investigates physiology and host interaction of Gram-positive pathogens with a focus on Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. We are also investigating the interactions of commensal staphylococci with other bacteria within the human microbiome and the potential of probiotic approaches to control bacterial infections.

A photo of Michael Otto Research Group

Back row (left to right): Ryan Liu, Dylan Burgin (postbac IRTA), Roger Hsieh (postbac IRTA), Amer Villaruz

Middle row (left to right): Gordon Cheung, Michael Otto, Baruch Hertzog, Pipat Piewngam (special volunteer), Kittiya Khongkool (special volunteer)

Front row (left to right): Joie Ling (postbac IRTA), Adithap Hansakon (special volunteer)

Not in the picture: Lauren Heinzinger (postbac IRTA), Seth Dickey (special volunteer)

Credit: NIAID

Michael Otto, Ph.D.

Chief, Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Specialty(s): Infectious Disease

Education:

Ph.D., 1998, M.S., 1993, University of Tübingen, Germany

Dr. Otto received his M.S. in biochemistry in 1993 from the University of Tübingen, Germany. In 1998, he earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from the same institution. Dr. Otto joined the Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis in July 2001 as a principal investigator. In 2008, he became a tenured senior investigator and moved his laboratory to the NIH Bethesda main campus.

Learn more about Michael Otto, Ph.D.

Michael Otto, Ph.D.

Yiu Chong “Gordon” Cheung, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., University of Glasgow, Scotland 

Languages Spoken: Cantonese

Gordon is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic success of S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Additionally, he has a strong interest in investigating the host immune responses that occur during acute skin and severe sepsis infections and what bacterial virulence factors drive these processes.

Learn more about Yiu Chong “Gordon” Cheung, Ph.D.

Yiu Chong Cheung, Ph.D.

Baruch B. Hertzog, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 

Languages Spoken: Hebrew

Baruch is interested in bacterial communication and the antimicrobial activity of bacteria in the context of the skin microbiome. He is also developing molecular tools for skin microbial research.

Learn more about Baruch B. Hertzog, Ph.D.

Baruch B. Hertzog, Ph.D.

Ryan Liu, B.S.

Microbiologist

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

B.S., Virginia Technical University

Ryan provides general support and animal model support.

Learn more about Ryan Liu, B.S.

Ryan Liu, B.S.

Amer E. Villaruz, Ph.D.

Microbiologist

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Amer provides research support for various projects in the laboratory and specializes in molecular biology. He also performs protein chemistry and applications involving RNA.

Learn more about Amer E. Villaruz, Ph.D.

Amer E. Villaruz, Ph.D.

Former Research Group Members

Nana Amissah, Ph.D. (University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana) 

Som Chatterjee, Ph.D. (University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD) 

Seth W. Dickey, Ph.D. (University of Maryland, College Park, MD) 

Lei He, Ph.D. (Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University, Shanghai) 

Hwang-Soo Joo, Ph.D. (Duksung Womens’ University, Seoul, South Korea) 

Stanislava Kocianova, Ph.D. (Wuppertal, Germany) 

Katherine Le, M.D. (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN) 

Min Li, Ph.D. (Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China) 

Saravanan Periasamy, Ph.D. (Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, India) 

Li Qin, M.D. (Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, China) 

Pipat Piewngam, Ph.D. (Summit Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA) 

Shu Yeong “Johnny” Queck, Ph.D. (Biomerieux Ltd., Singapore) 

Kevin R. Rigby, Ph.D., (miRagen Therapeutics, Boulder, CO) 

Viveka Vadyvaloo, Ph.D. (Idaho State University, Moscow, ID) 

Cuong Vuong, Ph.D. (Aicuris, Wuppertal, Germany) 

Rong Wang, Ph.D. (USDA, Clay Center, NE) 

Yufeng Yao, Ph.D. (Jiaotong University, Shanghai) 

Yue Zheng. Ph.D. (Innovent Biologics, Rockville, MD) 

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