Elaine M. Haase
Elaine M. Haase
Research Professor
Specialty/Research Focus
Bacterial Pathogenesis; Microbiology; Oral Biology; Oral Biology
Professional Summary:
I began my career as a general Medical Technologist and eventually specialized in clinical bacteriology in local hospital. I returned to school to earn an MS in Medical Technology specializing in Microbiology. I continued to work weekends in the hospital while working as a research technician in immunodermatology. I pursued further graduate work and earned a PhD degree in Microbiology from UB. During my thesis work I became interested in molecular mechanisms of infectious disease. As a post-doc I focused on characterizing the genes of the fimbrial operon and biofilm formation by the periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. These studies expanded into gene regulation in A. actinomycetemcomitans by small non-coding sRNA. We then used RNA-Seq to investigate the effect of amylase on Streptococcus gordonii. Whole genome sequencing has been used to explore the phylogeny of amylase-binding proteins in various Streptococcal strains. We also discovered potential new functions for amylase-binding protein A from Streptococcus gordonii and pursued new experimental evidence. We worked on oral microbiome projects with clinical physicians and dentists.
Currently, I am working in the lab of Kathryn Kauffman, PhD to discover the bacteriophages associated with the bacteria of the oral microbiome. Future studies will focus on the isolation, bioinformatic analysis, and functional analysis of these phages to determine the role of phages in the oral cavity.
Education and Training:
- Other, Safety training; biological and chemical, University at Buffalo (2023)
- Other, Biomedical informatics workshop series presented by the CTSI workshop development core, University at Buffalo (2017)
- Other, Navigating human subjects research compliance, University at Buffalo (2017)
- Other, Statistical workshop series presented by the Workforce Development Core; Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Core, University at Buffalo (2017)
- Other, SafTPak training for mailing biological substances, University at Buffalo (2016)
- Other, Good research practice training for clinical researchers;parts I and II, University at Buffalo (2014)
- Other, Methods in biofilm microscopy, ASM meeting workshop (2000)
- PhD, Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo (1995)
- MS, Medical Technology, Microbiology Specialty, University at Buffalo (1984)
- BS, Medical Technology, University at Buffalo, Magna Cum Laude (1975)
Employment:
- Graduate School Faculty, Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medilcine
- Research Professor, Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine (2018-present)
- Research Associate Professor, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (2005–2017)
- Research Assistant Professor, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1998–2005)
- Post-Doctoral Fellow, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1994–1998)
- Research Assistant, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1994)
- Research Assistant, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1986–1994)
- Medical Technologist, St. Mary‘s Hospital (1975–1991)
- Research Technician, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1985–1986)
Awards and Honors:
- Dental Student Research Mentor Award (2016)
- Listed in Who's Who in America (2010)
- American Society for Microbiology Student Travel Award (1994)
- Listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1992)
- American Society for Microbiology Student Travel Award (1990)
- Erwin Neter Award from WNY American Society of Microbiology (1990)
Research Expertise:
- Bioinformatics: Analysis of RNA-seq and DNA-seq data.
- Medical Technologist: Performed standard laboratory tests in all areas - blood bank, hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, serology
- Microbiologist: Bacterial adhesion mechanisms, biofilm studies, protein analysis, regulation of biofilms, and molecular biology. Bioinformatic and microbiome studies.
- Molecular biology: Isolation of nucleic acids for sequencing and transcriptional analysis
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics
Professional Memberships:
- Western New York Branch of the American Association for Dental Research; Local branch of the national AADR whose mission is to provide continuing education to those interested in all branches of dental research. Served as President, President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Councilor to ASM (2014–present)
- American Dental Education Association; Professional Membership (2006)
- International/American Association for Dental Research; Professional Membership. (1996–2006)
- Western New York Branch of the American Society for Microbiology; Local branch of the national American Society for Microbiology whose mission is to provide continuing education for those interested in all aspects of microbiology. (1988–present)
- American Society for Microbiology; Professional Membership (1988–present)
- American Society for Clinical Pathologists (1975–2001)
Presentations:
- "The oral microbiome in sickness and in health" Annual Western New York American Society of Microbiology Meeting; American Society of Microbiology; Western New York Branch (2018)
- "Dental Plaque" Student Outreach; Zeptometrix; West Seneca Academy High School Students (2018)
- "Dental Plaque" Student Outreach; Zeptometrix; West Seneca Academy High School Students (2017)
- "So what is so interesting about amylase-binding Streptococci?" WNY AADR; AADR (2015)
- "Transcriptional changes of Streptococcus gordonii amylase-binding protein (abpA) mutant in TSBY medium" Gordon Conference; Salve Regina University; Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction (2013)
- "Studies of the Flp Locus of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans" Seminar Series; University of Southern California; Periodontology (2003)
Service Activities:
- Help to maintain equipment and order new instruments as needed; Core laboratory manager (2024–present)
- American Society for Microbiology The Committee on Microbial Sciences (COMS) is a program planning committee for the National ASM for the annual general meeting MICROBE.; Committee Member (2019–present)
- Search committee for core facility manager; Committee Member (2018)
- University Chemical Hygiene Manual Peer Review Committee; Member (2013)
- Career days for high schoolers through affiliation with WNY ASM; Facilitator (2009–present)
- Search Committee for Computational Bioinformatics Faculty; Member (2006)
- Organization and maintenance of equipment for common use in the ORB department; Oral Biology core equipment manager (2003–present)
- Served as President-President elect-Secretary/Treasurer-Branch councilor to national ASM; Executive committee member for WNY American Society of Microbiology (1990–present)
- Laboratory Assistant Laboratory Assistant for the summer program for Ernest Witebsky Center for Immunology.; Volunteer (1988)
- Reviewer for various journals; Manuscript reviewer