Julia C. van Kessel
Assistant Professor of Biology
Microbiology
Education
PhD in Molecular Biology, University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Fellowship, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Princeton University
Joined IU Biology faculty
August 2016
Research expertise
Quorum sensing (bacterial cell-cell communication) in pathogenic Vibrio species to understand how bacteria coordinate group behaviors, including biofilm formation, virulence factor secretion, and bioluminescence
Previous position
Assistant Research Scientist, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University
Recent accomplishment
Publication: Chaparian RC, Olney SG, Hustmyer CM, Rowe-Magnus DA, and van Kessel JC. Integration Host Factor and LuxR synergistically bind DNA to co-activate quorum-sensing genes in Vibrio harveyi. (2016) Molecular Microbiology.
Roots
Born in Danbury, CT, and grew up in Millbrook, NY
What you might not know about her
Dr. van Kessel enjoys camping in the Adirondacks, tasting microbrewed beer, gardening, and baking sweet treats for her family. She plays piano, flute, and piccolo, and she loves musicals.