My research focuses on two areas, the potential for Echinacea purpurea extracts to alter functions of the immune system, and the microbe composition of feline oral biofilms (dental plaque).
Echinacea is one of the most used over the counter herbal supplements for minimizing the symptoms and effects of upper respiratory tract infections (colds and flu's). Evidence in support of these purported effects are inconsistent or poorly conducted. My studies aim to evaluate the chemical composition of different Echinacea preparations and compare that with biological measures of immune responses in an effort to clarify potential mechanisms by which Echinacea may work.
Dental plaque is one of the major problems in a majority of household pets (cats and dogs). It is thought that over 300 species of microbe live in an individual (human or pet) mouth, and a large majority of these microbes have not yet been identified. The lab's goal is to identify known species of oral microbes and unknown species for the purpose of constructing an experimental system in which to test potential treatments for cat dental plaque.