James D. Bangs PhD
James D. Bangs
PhD
Grant T. Fisher Professor and Chair of Microbiology & Immunology
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Eukaryotic Pathogenesis; Microbial Pathogenesis; Microbiology; Molecular and Cellular Biology
Professional Summary:
Human African trypanosomiasis (commonly called Sleeping Sickness) is one of the global great neglected diseases, causing ~10,000 cases annually according to most recent estimates (2009). The related veterinary disease of livestock (Nagana) also has significant impact on human economic well being throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever the insect vector (tsetse flies) are found. Both diseases are caused parasitic protozoa called trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei ssp.) Because trypanosomes are eukaryotic cells, organized similarly to every cell in our bodies, treatment of infection is not unlike cancer treatment in that chemotherapy against the parasite has harsh consequences for the patient. However, infection is invariably fatal without intervention, consequently new more specific drugs are desperately needed. In addition, because trypanosomes are an anciently divergent evolutionary lineage, they provide a unique model system for studying basic eukaryotic biology.
My laboratory focuses on the cell biology of these protozoa, specifically on intracellular trafficking of lysosomal and cell surface proteins as key aspects of the host:parasite relationship. The trypanosome lifecycle alternates between the mammalian bloodstream and the tsetse midgut, and each stage has a unique protein surface coat that forms the first line of contact with the host. These coat proteins are anchored in membranes by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors and are essential for survival in each stage. Consequently, correct protein targeting to the cell surface is critical to the success of the parasite. Also, endocytic and lysosomal functions are greatly up-regulated in the pathogenic bloodstream stage for both nutritional and defensive purposes. Using classic and current cell biological and biochemical approaches we work on four distinct areas: 1) GPI-dependent targeting of surface coat proteins; 2) machinery of secretory trafficking; 3) stage-specific lysosomal biogenesis and proteomics; and 4) role of sphingolipids in secretory transport. Our ultimate goal is to define aspects of trypanosomal secretory processes that may provide novel avenues to chemotherapeutic intervention.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Postdoctoral Training, Standford University School of Medicine (1993)
- Fellowship, Postdoctoral Training, Yale University Medical School (1987)
- PhD, Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University (1986)
- BS, Biology, Bates College (1977)
Employment:
- Grant T. Fisher Professor & Chair, Microbiology & Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2012-present)
- Professor Emeritus, Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Medicine (2013-present)
- Professor & Chair, Microbiology & Immunology, University at Buffalo (SUNY) Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2012-present)
- Professor, Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Medicine (2004–2013)
- Associate Professor, Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1999–2004)
- Assistant Professor, Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1993–1999)
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Microbiology & Immunology, Standford University (1988–1993)
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Cell Biology, Yale University (1987–1988)
- Graduate Student, Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University (1981–1986)
- Research Technician, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston (1980–1981)
- Research Technician, Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Boston (1977–1979)
Awards and Honors:
- Fellow American Academy of Microbiology (2019)
- Burroughs Wellcome New Investigator in Molecular Parasitology (1997)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Program in Cancer Biology, Stanford University (1990)
- Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Postdoctoral Fellowship (1987)
- Paul Ehrlich Graduate Student Award, Johns Hopkins Medical School (1986)
- ARCS Foundation Award, Washington, D.C. Chapter (1986)
- High Honors in Biology, Bates College (1977)
- Phi Beta Kappa, Bates College (1977)
- Maine Heart Association Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (1976)
Research Expertise:
- Molecular parasitology: Molecular and cellular biology of African trypanosomiasis, Secretory and endocytic protein trafficking, Lysosomal biogenesis and function, Glycobiology of secretory proteins, Biochemistry of glycosylphosphatidyl inositol anchors, Sphingolipid metabolism
Research Centers:
- Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- July 2016–June 2021
Secretory Protein Trafficking and Folding in African Trypanosomes
National Institutes of Health
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,934,250 - March 2011–February 2016
Lysosomal biogenesis and function in African Trypanosomes
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,250,000 - December 2010–November 2012
The lysosome of Trypanosoma brucei: a proteomic analysis
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$275,000
Journal Articles:
- Sharif M, Garrison P, Bush P, Bangs JD. (2022) Turnover of Variant Surface Glycoprotein in Trypanosoma brucei Is Not Altered in Response to Specific Silencing. mSphere (Aug), 7(4): e0012222. doi:10.1128/msphere.00122-22
- Sharif M, Bangs JD. (2022) Stage-Specific COPII-Mediated Cargo Selectivity in African Trypanosomes. mSphere (Aug), 7(4): e0018822. doi:10.1128/msphere.00188-22
- Garrison P, Umaer K, Bangs JD. (2021) The role of glycosylphosphatidylinositol phospholipase C in membrane trafficking in Trypanosoma brucei. Molecular and biochemical parasitology (Sep), 245: 111409.
- Umaer K, Aresta-Branco F, Chandra M, van Straaten M, Zeelen J, Lapouge K, Waxman B, Stebbins CE, Bangs JD. (2021) Dynamic, variable oligomerization and the trafficking of variant surface glycoproteins of Trypanosoma brucei. Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark) (Aug), 22(8): 274-283.
- Garrison P, Khan U, Cipriano M, Bush PJ, McDonald J, Sur A, Myler PJ, Smith TK, Hajduk SL, Bangs JD. (2021) Turnover of Variant Surface Glycoprotein in Trypanosoma brucei Is a Bimodal Process. mBio (Aug), 12(4): e0172521. doi:10.1128/mBio.01725-21
- Koeller CM, Smith TK, Gulick AM, Bangs JD. (2020) p67: a cryptic lysosomal hydrolase in Trypanosoma brucei?. Parasitology (Oct), in press
- Garrison P, Bangs JD. (2020) p97 Inhibitor CB-5083 Blocks ERAD in Trypanosoma brucei. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology (Sep), 239: 111313.
- Umaer K, Bangs JD. (2020) Late ESCRT Machinery Mediates The Recycling And Rescue of Invariant Surface Glycoprotein 65 in Trypanosoma brucei. Cellular Microbiology (Jul), 22: e13244.
- Koeller CM, Tiengwe C, Schwartz KJ, Bangs JD. (2020) Steric constraints control processing of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors in Trypanosoma brucei. Journal of Biological Chemistry (Feb), 295(8): 2227-2238.
- Bangs JD. (2018) Evolution of Antigenic Variation in African Trypanosomes: Variant Surface Glycoprotein Expression, Structure, and Function. Bioessays (Dec), 40(12): 1800181-1800181.
- Koeller CM, Bangs JD. (2018) Processing and targeting of cathepsin L (TbCatL) to the lysosome in Trypanosoma brucei. Cell Microbiol (Nov)12980-12980.
- Tiengwe C, Koeller CM, Bangs JD. (2018) Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation and disposal of misfolded GPI-anchored proteins in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biol Cell (Oct), 29(20): 2397-2409.
- Umaer K, Bush PJ, Bangs JD. (2018) Rab11 mediates selective recycling and endocytic trafficking in Trypanosoma brucei. Traffic (Mar).
- Kruzel EK, Zimmett GP, Bangs JD. (2017) Life Stage-Specific Cargo Receptors Facilitate Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Surface Coat Protein Transport in Trypanosoma brucei. mSphere (Jul), 2(4).
- Tiengwe C, Bush PJ, Bangs JD. (2017) Controlling transferrin receptor trafficking with GPI-valence in bloodstream stage African trypanosomes. PLoS Pathog (May), 13(5): 1006366-1006366.
- Gilden JK, Umaer K, Kruzel EK, Hecht O, Correa RO, Mansfield JM, Bangs JD. (2017) The role of the PI(3,5)P2 kinase TbFab1 in endo/lysosomal trafficking in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol (Mar), 214: 52-61.
- Aksoy E, Vigneron A, Bing X, Zhao X, O'Neill M, Wu YN, Bangs JD, Weiss BL, Aksoy S. (2016) Mammalian African trypanosome VSG coat enhances tsetse's vector competence. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (Jun), 113(25): 6961-6966.
- Tiengwe C, Muratore KA, Bangs JD. (2016) Surface proteins, ERAD and antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei. Cell Microbiol (Apr).
- Biéler S, Waltenberger H, Barrett MP, McCulloch R, Mottram JC, Carrington M, Schwaeble W, McKerrow J, Phillips MA, Michels PA, Büscher P, Sanchez JC, Bishop R, Robinson DR, Bangs J, Ferguson M, Nerima B, Albertini A, Michel G, Radwandska M, Ndung. (2016) Evaluation of Antigens for Development of a Serological Test for Human African Trypanosomiasis. PloS one (Jan), 11(12): e0168074. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168074
- Tiengwe C, Brown AE, Bangs JD. (2015) Unfolded Protein Response Pathways in Bloodstream-Form Trypanosoma brucei?. Eukaryotic cell (Nov), 14(11): 1094-101. doi:10.1128/EC.00118-15
- Tiengwe, C Brown, ENA Bangs JD. (2015) Unfolded protein response pathways in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei?. Eukaryotic Cell (Jan), 14: 1094-1101.
- Silverman JS, Muratore KA, Bangs JD. (2013) Characterization of the late endosomal ESCRT machinery in Trypanosoma brucei. Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark) (Oct), 14(10): 1078-90. doi:10.1111/tra.12094
- Bangs JD, Muratore KA, Silverman, JS. (2013) Characterization of the late endosomal ESCRT machinery in Trypanosoma brucei. Traffic (Aug), 14: 1078-1090.
- Jelk J, Gao N, Serricchio M, Signorell A, Schmidt RS, Bangs JD, Acosta-Serrano A, Lehrman MA, Bütikofer P, Menon AK. (2013) Glycoprotein biosynthesis in a eukaryote lacking the membrane protein rft1. J Biol Chem (Jul), 288(28): 20616-20623.
- Liu L, Xu YX, Caradonna KL, Kruzel EK, Burleigh BA, Bangs JD, Hirschberg CB. (2013) Inhibition of nucleotide sugar transport in Trypanosoma brucei alters surface glycosylation. J Biol Chem (Apr), 288(15): 10599-10615.
- Silverman JS, Muratore KA, Bangs JD,. (2013) Characterization of the late endosomal ESCRT machinery in Trypanosoma brucei. Traffic (Jan), 14: 1078-1090.
- Schwartz KJ, Peck RF, Bangs JD. (2013) The Intracellular Trafficking and Glycobiology of TbPDI2, a Stage-Specific Protein Disulfide Isomerase in Trypanosoma brucei. Eukaryot Cell (Jan), 12: 132-141.
- Silverman JS, Bangs JD. (2012) Form and function in the trypanosomal secretory pathway. Curr Opin Microbiol (Aug), 15(4): 463-468.
- Bangs JD. (2011) Replication of the ERES:Golgi junction in bloodstream-form African trypanosomes. Mol Microbiol (Dec), 82(6): 1433-1443.
- Silverman JS, Schwartz KJ, Hajduk SL, Bangs JD. (2011) Late endosomal Rab7 regulates lysosomal trafficking of endocytic but not biosynthetic cargo in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Microbiol (Nov), 82(3): 664-678.
- Goren MA, Fox BG, Bangs JD. (2011) Amino acid determinants of substrate selectivity in the Trypanosoma brucei sphingolipid synthase family. Biochemistry (Oct), 50(41): 8853-8861.
- Sevova ES, Goren MA, Schwartz KJ, Hsu FF, Turk J, Fox BG, Bangs JD. (2010) Cell-free synthesis and functional characterization of sphingolipid synthases from parasitic trypanosomatid protozoa. J Biol Chem (Jul), 285(27): 20580-20587.
- Zhang K, Bangs JD, Beverley SM. (2010) Sphingolipids in parasitic protozoa. Adv Exp Med Biol (Jan), 688: 238-248.
- Sevova ES, Bangs JD. (2009) Streamlined architecture and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-dependent trafficking in the early secretory pathway of African trypanosomes. Mol Biol Cell (Nov), 20(22): 4739-4750.
- Tazeh NN, Silverman JS, Schwartz KJ, Sevova ES, Sutterwala SS, Bangs JD. (2009) Role of AP-1 in developmentally regulated lysosomal trafficking in Trypanosoma brucei. Eukaryot Cell (Sep), 8(9): 1352-1361.
- Dagenais TR, Demick KP, Bangs JD, Forest KT, Paulnock DM, Mansfield JM. (2009) T-cell responses to the trypanosome variant surface glycoprotein are not limited to hypervariable subregions. Infect Immun (Jan), 77(1): 141-151.
- Sutterwala SS, Hsu FF, Sevova ES, Schwartz KJ, Zhang K, Key P, Turk J, Beverley SM, Bangs JD. (2008) Developmentally regulated sphingolipid synthesis in African trypanosomes. Mol Microbiol (Oct), 70(2): 281-296.
- McCann AK, Schwartz KJ, Bangs JD. (2008) A determination of the steady state lysosomal pH of bloodstream stage African trypanosomes. Molecular and biochemical parasitology (Jun), 159(2): 146-9. doi:10.1016/j.molbiopara.2008.02.003
- Peck RF, Shiflett AM, Schwartz KJ, McCann A, Hajduk SL, Bangs JD. (2008) The LAMP-like protein p67 plays an essential role in the lysosome of African trypanosomes. Mol Microbiol (May), 68(4): 933-946.
- Moraes MC, Jesus TC, Hashimoto NN, Dey M, Schwartz KJ, Alves VS, Avila CC, Bangs JD, Dever TE, Schenkman S, Castilho BA. (2007) Novel membrane-bound eIF2alpha kinase in the flagellar pocket of Trypanosoma brucei. Eukaryot Cell (Nov), 6(11): 1979-1991.
- Tazeh NN, Bangs JD. (2007) Multiple motifs regulate trafficking of the LAMP-like protein p67 in the ancient eukaryote Trypanosoma brucei. Traffic (Aug), 8(8): 1007-1017.
- Sutterwala SS, Creswell CH, Sanyal S, Menon AK, Bangs JD. (2007) De novo sphingolipid synthesis is essential for viability, but not for transport of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, in African trypanosomes. Eukaryot Cell (Mar), 6(3): 454-464.
- Schwartz KJ, Bangs JD. (2007) Regulation of protein trafficking by glycosylphosphatidylinositol valence in African trypanosomes. J Eukaryot Microbiol (Jan), 54(1): 22-24.
- Gruszynski AE, van Deursen FJ, Albareda MC, Best A, Chaudhary K, Cliffe LJ, del Rio L, Dunn JD, Ellis L, Evans KJ, Figueiredo JM, Malmquist NA, Omosun Y, Palenchar JB, Prickett S, Punkosdy GA, van Dooren G, Wang Q, Menon AK, Matthews KR, Bangs JD. (2006) Regulation of surface coat exchange by differentiating African trypanosomes. Mol Biochem Parasitol (Jun), 147(2): 211-223.
- Schwartz KJ, Peck RF, Tazeh NN, Bangs JD. (2005) GPI valence and the fate of secretory membrane proteins in African trypanosomes. J Cell Sci (Dec), 118(Pt 23): 5499-5511.
- Gruszynski AE, DeMaster A, Hooper NM, Bangs JD. (2003) Surface coat remodeling during differentiation of Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem (Jul), 278(27): 24665-24672.
- LaCount DJ, Gruszynski AE, Grandgenett PM, Bangs JD, Donelson JE. (2003) Expression and function of the Trypanosoma brucei major surface protease (GP63) genes. J Biol Chem (Jul), 278(27): 24658-24664.
- Triggs VP, Bangs JD. (2003) Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-dependent protein trafficking in bloodstream stage Trypanosoma brucei. Eukaryot Cell (Feb), 2(1): 76-83.
- Alexander DL, Schwartz KJ, Balber AE, Bangs JD. (2002) Developmentally regulated trafficking of the lysosomal membrane protein p67 in Trypanosoma brucei. J Cell Sci (Aug), 115(Pt 16): 3253-3263.
- Lamb JR, Fu V, Wirtz E, Bangs JD. (2001) Functional analysis of the trypanosomal AAA protein TbVCP with trans-dominant ATP hydrolysis mutants. J Biol Chem (Jun), 276(24): 21512-21520.
- Bangs JD, Ransom DA, Nimick M, Christie G, Hooper NM. (2001) In vitro cytocidal effects on Trypanosoma brucei and inhibition of Leishmania major GP63 by peptidomimetic metalloprotease inhibitors. Mol Biochem Parasitol (Apr), 114(1): 111-117.
- Sharma DK, Hilley JD, Bangs JD, Coombs GH, Mottram JC, Menon AK. (2000) Soluble GPI8 restores glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring in a trypanosome cell-free system depleted of lumenal endoplasmic reticulum proteins. Biochem J (Nov), 351 P: 717-722.
- Sharma DK, Vidugiriene J, Bangs JD, Menon AK. (1999) A cell-free assay for glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring in African trypanosomes. Demonstration of a transamidation reaction mechanism. J Biol Chem (Jun), 274(23): 16479-16486.
- Roggy JL, Bangs JD. (1999) Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a VCP homolog in African trypanosomes. Mol Biochem Parasitol (Jan), 98(1): 1-15.
- Kelley RJ, Alexander DL, Cowan C, Balber AE, Bangs JD. (1999) Molecular cloning of p67, a lysosomal membrane glycoprotein from Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol (Jan), 98(1): 17-28.
- McDowell MA, Ransom DM, Bangs JD. (1998) Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-dependent secretory transport in Trypanosoma brucei. Biochem J (Nov), 335 (: 681-689.
- Bangs JD. (1998) Surface coats and secretory trafficking in African trypanosomes. Curr Opin Microbiol (Aug), 1(4): 448-454.
- Bangs JD, Ransom DM, McDowell MA, Brouch EM. (1997) Expression of bloodstream variant surface glycoproteins in procyclic stage Trypanosoma brucei: role of GPI anchors in secretion. EMBO J (Jul), 16(14): 4285-4294.
- Bangs JD, Brouch EM, Ransom DM, Roggy JL. (1996) A soluble secretory reporter system in Trypanosoma brucei. Studies on endoplasmic reticulum targeting. J Biol Chem (Aug), 271(31): 18387-18393.
- Bangs JD, Uyetake L, Brickman MJ, Balber AE, Boothroyd JC. (1993) Molecular cloning and cellular localization of a BiP homologue in Trypanosoma brucei. Divergent ER retention signals in a lower eukaryote. J Cell Sci (Aug), 105 (: 1101-1113.
- Elmendorf HG, Bangs JD, Haldar K. (1992) Synthesis and secretion of proteins by released malarial parasites. Mol Biochem Parasitol (Jun), 52(2): 215-230.
- Bangs JD, Crain PF, Hashizume T, McCloskey JA, Boothroyd JC. (1992) Mass spectrometry of mRNA cap 4 from trypanosomatids reveals two novel nucleosides. J Biol Chem (May), 267(14): 9805-9815.
- Bean MF, Bangs JD, Doering TL, Englund PT, Hart GW, Fenselau C, Cotter RJ. (1989) Assessing heterogeneity of the high-mannose glycopeptide gp432 on the variant surface glycoprotein of trypanosomes: a comparison of plasma desorption mass spectrometry and radiolabeling techniques. Anal Chem (Dec), 61(23): 2686-2688.
- Bangs JD, Doering TL, Englund PT, Hart GW. (1988) Biosynthesis of a variant surface glycoprotein of Trypanosoma brucei. Processing of the glycolipid membrane anchor and N-linked oligosaccharides. J Biol Chem (Nov), 263(33): 17697-17705.
- Hereld D, Krakow JL, Bangs JD, Hart GW, Englund PT. (1986) A phospholipase C from Trypanosoma brucei which selectively cleaves the glycolipid on the variant surface glycoprotein. J Biol Chem (Oct), 261(29): 13813-13819.
- Krakow JL, Hereld D, Bangs JD, Hart GW, Englund PT. (1986) Identification of a glycolipid precursor of the Trypanosoma brucei variant surface glycoprotein. J Biol Chem (Sep), 261(26): 12147-12153.
- Bangs JD, Andrews NW, Hart GW, Englund PT. (1986) Posttranslational modification and intracellular transport of a trypanosome variant surface glycoprotein. J Cell Biol (Jul), 103(1): 255-263.
- Bangs JD, Hereld D, Krakow JL, Hart GW, Englund PT. (1985) Rapid processing of the carboxyl terminus of a trypanosome variant surface glycoprotein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (May), 82(10): 3207-3211.
- Ntambi JM, Marini JC, Bangs JD, Hajduk SL, Jimenez HE, Kitchin PA, Klein VA, Ryan KA, Englund PT. (1984) Presence of a bent helix in fragments of kinetoplast DNA minicircles from several trypanosomatid species. Mol Biochem Parasitol (Jul), 12(3): 273-286.
- Strom TB, Bangs JD. (1982) Human serum-free mixed lymphocytes response: the stereospecific effect of insulin and its potentiation by transferrin. J Immunol (Apr), 128(4): 1555-1559.
- Young MC, Bangs JD, Borel Y. (1981) Immune suppression to nucleosides: differences between NZB and NZW mice. Eur J Immunol (May), 11(5): 424-428.
- Balber AE, Bangs JD, Jones SM, Proia RL. (1979) Inactivation or elimination of potentially trypanolytic, complement-activating immune complexes by pathogenic trypanosomes. Infect Immun (Jun), 24(3): 617-627.
Abstracts:
- Koeller, CM, Smith, T, Gulick, AM and JD Bangs. (2020) The trypanosome lysosomal membrane glycoprotein p67 is a hydrolase of the N-terminal nucleophile (NTN) superfamily. British Society for Parasitology, Trypanosomaiais and Leishmaniasis Symposium. Granada, (Mar) Oral
- Tiengwe, C, Koeller, CM, Schwartz, KJ & JD Bangs. (2019) Glycosylation of transferrin receptor (TfR) in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei: steric constraints control GPI-glycan modification. VIII Kinetoplastid Molecular Cellular Biology Meeting, Marine Biological Laboratory. Woods Hole, Massachusetts (Sep) Poster
- Daniels, P, Khan, U, Bush, P and JD Bangs. (2019) Turnover of native VSG in Trypanosoma brucei. VIII Kinetoplastid Molecular Cellular Biology Meeting, Marine Biological Laboratory. Woods Hole, Massachusetts (May)
- Koeller, CM. & JD Bangs. (2019) Processing and targeting of cathepsin L (TbCatL) to the lysosome in Trypanosoma brucei. VIII Kinetoplastid Molecular Cellular Biology Meeting, Marine Biological Laboratory. Woods Hole, Massachusetts (Apr) Oral
Professional Memberships:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Society of Microbiology
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Presentations:
- "What a Long Strange Tryp Its Been: VSGs, GPIs & Protein Trafficking in African Trypanosomes" 3rd Annual PAraCon Meeting, Pennsylvania State University (2023)
- "What a Long Strange Tryp Its Been: VSGs, GPIs & Protein Trafficking in African Trypanosomes" Paul & Christy Englund Memorial Lecture, Biology of Parasitism Course, Marine Biological Laboratories Woods Hole, MA, (20 July, 2022) (2022)
- "What a Long Strange Tryp Its Been: VSGs, GPIs & Protein Trafficking in African Trypanosomes" Swiss Trypanosomatid Meeting, Bern Switzerland (27-28 January, 2022) (2022)
- "Trypanosomal p67…a Cryptic Lysosomal Hydrolase?" Uniformed Services University (2020)
- "The trypanosome lysosomal membrane glycoprotein p67 is a hydrolase of the N-terminal nucleophile (NTN) superfamily" British Society for Parasitology Trypanosomiasis & Leishmaniasis Symposium (2020)
- "Tales from the Tryp: variant surface glycoprotein, GPI anchors & protein trafficking in African trypanosomes" Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Meharry Medical College, (2019)
- "Tales from the Tryp: variant surface glycoprotein, GPI anchors & protein trafficking in African trypanosomes" Department of Biological Chemistry Retreat, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2019)
- "GPI anchors and the fate of surface proteins in African trypanosomes" Department of Genetics & Biochemistry, Clemson University (2018)
- "GPI anchors and the fate of surface proteins in African trypanosomes" Department of Molecular Biology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2018)
- "GPI anchors and the fate of surface proteins in African trypanosomes" Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo Dental School (2018)
- "GPI Anchored Proteins, ERAD & Antigenic Variation in African Trypanosomes" Pathobiology Graduate Program, Brown University (2016)
- "Cargo Selection in the Early Secretory Pathway of Trypanosoma brucei" Department of Structural Biology, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences/Hauptman Woodward Institute. (2014)
- "Cargo selection in the Early Secretory Pathway of Trypanosoma brucei" International Congress of Parasitology (2014)
- "N-Glycan Biosynthesis & Utilization in African Trypanosomes" Society for Glycobiology Meeting (2013)
- "African Trypanosomes: Doing Basic Science in a Great Neglected Disease" Transmembrane Protein Center Symposium, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013)
Service Activities:
- Kinetoplastid Molecular and Cellular Biology Committee; Program Committee (2022)
- NIH Eukaryotic Pathogens Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2020)
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics Chair Search Comitteee; Chair (2019–2020)
- Kinetoplastid Molecular & Cellular Biology Meeting; Program Committee (1 of 5) (2019)
- JSMBS Strategic Planning Steering Committee; Member (2016)
- The Wellcome Trust (UK); Ad Hoc Reviewer (2016)
- NIH Path to Early Independence Award; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2016)
- Vice Provost of Graduate Education/Dean of Graduate School Search Committee; Member (2014–2015)
- Dean's Departmental Metrics Committee; Member (2014–2015)
- NIH R01 Transformative Research Award; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2014)
- The Wellcome Trust (UK);; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2014)
- Chair; Chair (2013–present)
- NIH Eukaryotic Pathogens Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2012)
- NIH Eukaryotic Pathogens Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2011)
- The Wellcome Trust (UK);; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2010)
- Microbes in Health & Disease Training Grant Steering Committee (UW) Microbes in Health & Disease Training Grant Steering Committee; Committee Member (2008–2012)
- University of Wisconsin Sciences Tenure Committee (Biological Division); Chair (2008–2009)
- NIH Eukaryotic Pathogens Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2008)
- The Wellcome Trust (UK);; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2008)
- Cell & Molecular Parasitology Training Grant (UW) Vice Director; Co-Director (2007–2011)
- University of Wisconsin Biological Sciences Steering Council; Committee Member (2007–2009)
- Molecular & Biochemical Parasitology; Member (2007–present)
- Molecular Parasitology Meeting; Organizer (1 of 3) (2006–2009)
- Eukaryotic Cell; member (2006–2015)
- The Swiss National Science Foundation;; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2006)
- NIH Eukaryotic Pathogens Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2006)
- The Wellcome Trust (UK);; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2005)
- The Swiss National Science Foundation;; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2003)
- NIH Eukaryotic Pathogens Study Section; Panel Member (2001–2005)
- University of Wisconsin Medical School Admissions Committee University of Wisconsin Medical School Admissions Committee; Committee Member (2001–2002)
- The Swiss National Science Foundation;; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2001)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program Coordinating Committee (UW Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program Coordinating Committee; Committee Member (2000–2004)
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program Steering Committee (UW) Microbiology Doctoral Training Program Steering Committee; Committee Member (1999–2005)
- NIH Eukaryotic Pathogens Study Section; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1998–2000)
- National Science Foundation; The Swiss National Science Foundation;; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1997)
- EMBO Journal, Infection and Immunity, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal of Cell Biology, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Medicine, Molecular Biology of the Cell, Molecular Microbiology, PLoS Pathogens, Proceedings National Academy of Sciences (USA), Traffic, others; Reviewer (1993–present)