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Caná L. Ross, Ph.D.
Positions
2013-2016
2009-2013
2001-2008
Education
2005-2008
2001-2004
Post-doctoral Fellow, PI: Tor Savidge, Ph.D.
Department of Pathology
Texas Children’s Microbiome Center
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX, USA
Post-doctoral Fellow, PI: Magnus Höök, Ph.D.
Center for Inflammatory and Infectious Disease,
Institute for Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M
Houston, TX, USA
Graduate Research Assistant, PI: Theresa M. Koehler, Ph.D.
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
University of Texas HSC – Houston
Houston, TX USA
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
University of Texas – Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Doctor of Philosophy (PI: Theresa M. Koehler, Ph.D.)
Dissertation Title: “The molecular basis for beta-lactamase gene
expression in B. anthracis, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis”
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
University of Texas – Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Masters of Science (PI: Theresa M. Koehler, Ph.D.)
Thesis Title: “plcR/papR-independent expression of anthrolysin O in B.
anthracis.”
Departments of Journalism and Department of Radio and Television
Texas A&M University – Commerce (formerly East Texas State
University) Commerce, TX
Bachelor of Arts (double major) Journalism and Radio and Television.
Teaching and Mentoring
2013-present Mentoring (Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine)
-undergraduate summer research students
 Preparation and design of research projects
 Instruction on experimental methods and interpretation of results.
 Data presentation and technical writing.
 All relevant laboratory training, including safety procedures,
sterile technique, equipment use, proper handling of pathogens,
and record-keeping.
2009-2013
Mentoring (Center for Inflammatory and Infectious Disease)
undergraduate summer research students, masters students and medical
students
 Preparation and design of research projects
 Instruction on experimental methods and interpretation of results.
 Manuscript writing and data presentation
 Guide MS students in the development of independent,
hypothesis-driven projects.
 Discuss results and problem-solving with MS students.
 Oversee MS students in preparing research proposals and
scientific manuscripts.
 All relevant laboratory training, including safety procedures,
sterile technique, equipment use, proper handling of pathogens,
and record-keeping.
2002-2008
Lecturing and Mentoring (Department of Microbiology and Molecular
Genetics)
Lectures – Graduate Student Seminar Series
 Mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and methods of
investigation.
 Preparation of Research proposal
 Common tactics for troubleshooting
Mentoring – undergraduate summer research students, junior graduate
students and medical students.
 Preparation and design of research project
 Instruction on experimental methods.
 Manuscript writing and data presentation
 All relevant laboratory training, including safety procedures,
sterile technique, equipment use, proper handling of pathogens,
and record-keeping.
2000–2001
Teaching Assistant, Houston Baptist University (Houston, TX)
 Biology I (Dr. Betty Thompson)
 Biology II (Dr. Betty Thompson)
 Chemistry I (Dr. Treacy Woods)
Prepare materials prior to class, including equipment, solutions and
reagents. Provide assistance to students with experimental procedures.
Answered questions regarding course material
1999-2001
Instructor, Mad Science of Houston:
Teach after school science courses to elementary and junior high school
students.
Funding and Awards
2013
National Institute of Health; Pediatric GI Fellowship (T32-DK07664)
“Microbial GABA and susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection”
Role: Post-doctoral Trainee
2012
Merck grant; “Pathomicrobiologic characteristics of Clostridium difficile
recurrence”
Role: co-Investigator (PI: K. Garey, PharmD)
2010
American Heart Association Post-doctoral Fellowship: “The role of
collagen-binding MSCRAMMs in infectious endocarditis”
(10POST4160090)
Role: Principal Investigator
2007
Recipient, William W. and Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation Scholarship
2006
Second Place, GSEC Annual Research Poster Competition
University of Texas- Health Science Center, Houston.
2004
First Place, Research Day Poster Competition
University of Texas-Health Science Center, Houston
Publications
Spinler JK, Ross CL, Savidge TC. Probiotics as adjunctive therapy for
preventing Clostridium difficile infection - What are we waiting for? Anaerobe.
2016 May 13. pii: S1075-9964(16)30060-9. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.05.007.
[Epub ahead of print] Review. PubMed PMID: 27180657.
Spinler JK, Brown A, Ross CL, Boonma P, Conner ME, Savidge TC. Administration
of probiotic kefir to mice with Clostridium difficile infection exacerbates
disease. Anaerobe. 2016 Aug;40:54-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.05.008. Epub
2016 May 11. PubMed PMID: 27180007; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4969211.
Ross CL, Spinler JK, Savidge TC. Structural and functional changes within the
gut microbiota and susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection. Anaerobe.
2016 May 12. pii: S1075-9964(16)30059-2. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.05.006.
[Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27180006.
Kang M, Ko YP, Liang X, Ross CL, Liu Q, Murray BE, Höök M. Collagen-binding
microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecule (MSCRAMM) of
Gram-positive bacteria inhibit complement activation via the classical pathway. J
Biol Chem. 2013 Jul 12;288(28):20520-31. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.454462. Epub 2013
May 29. PubMed PMID: 23720782; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3711317.
Ross CL, Liang X, Liu Q, Murray BE, Höök M, Ganesh VK. Targeted protein
engineering provides insights into binding mechanism and affinities of bacterial
collagen adhesins. J Biol Chem. 2012 Oct 5;287(41):34856-65. doi:
10.1074/jbc.M112.371054. Epub 2012 Aug 3. PubMed PMID: 22865854; PubMed
Central
PMCID: PMC3464587.
Ross CL, Thomason KS, Koehler TM. An extracytoplasmic function sigma factor
controls beta-lactamase gene expression in Bacillus anthracis and other Bacillus
cereus group species. J Bacteriol. 2009 Nov;191(21):6683-93. doi:
10.1128/JB.00691-09. Epub 2009 Aug 28. PubMed PMID: 19717606; PubMed Central
PMCID: PMC2795285.
Ross CL, Koehler TM. plcR papR-independent expression of anthrolysin O by
Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol. 2006 Nov;188(22):7823-9. Epub 2006 Sep 15.
PubMed PMID: 16980467; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1636328.
Shannon JG, Ross CL, Koehler TM, Rest RF. Characterization of anthrolysin O,
the Bacillus anthracis cholesterol-dependent cytolysin. Infect Immun. 2003
Jun;71(6):3183-9. PubMed PMID: 12761097; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC155736.
Pre-submission enquiry
Dann SM, Aitken SL, Ross C, Nazli, Urvil, Oezguen N, Wagal N, Luna RA, Eaves-Pyles
T, Loeffelholz M, Luna R, Koussoulas K, Bornstein J, Versalovic J, Pothoulakis C,
Garey K, Savidge TC. “Stool GABA and zolpidem confer disease susceptibility to
Clostridium difficile infection” (presubmission enquiry; NEJM).
In Preparation
Ross, C.L., Peniche-Trujillo, A., Spinler, J.K., Oezguen, N., Cope, J., Urvil, P., Gerritsen,
J., Smidt, H., Kellermayer, R., Versalovic, J., Luna, R.A., Bennett, G. Koo, H.M., Garey,
K., Dann, S. and Savidge, T.C. “Multi-omics reveals microbial GABA as a communitydefined susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection” (targeting Cell)
Ross, C.L., Boonma P., Oezguen, N., Urvil, P., Koo, H.M., and Savidge, T.C. “High
stool GABA is predictive of fidaxomicin treatment success for pediatric Clostridium
difficile infection”
Ross, C.L., and Savidge, T.C., Decoding antimicrobial-induced susceptibility to
Clostridium difficile infection. (Invited Review, Anaerobe)
Spinler JK, Brown A, Ross CL, Auchtung J, Boonma P, Haag T, Luna RA, Runge J,
Versalovic J, Goodman S, Britton RA, Savidge T. “Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation
is a viable option for preventative treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.”
Tessier, ME, Brown, A., Andersson, H., Ross, CL, Boonma, P., Peniche-Trujillo, A.,
Dann, S., Francis, M., Sorg, J., Thevananther, S., Conner, ME., Savidge, TC.,
“Obeticholic acid (INT-747) confers disease protection against Clostridium
difficile infection”
Patents
2012
Ross, C., Liang X., Ganesh, V. and Höök M. “An engineered collagenbinding MSCRAMM with enhanced affinity for collagen.” (2011)
Presentations
Oral.
Ross, C.L., Peniche-Trujillo, A., Oezguen, N., Cope, J., Gerritsen, J., Smidt, H., Bennett,
G. Koo, H.M., Garey, K., Dann, S. and Savidge, T.C. (January 2015) “Microbial GABA
and Clostridium difficile infection” Pediatric Gastroenterology Research Workshop,
Houston, TX
Ross, C.L., Peniche-Trujillo, A., Oezguen, N., Cope, J., G. Koo, H.M., Garey, K., Dann,
S. and Savidge, T.C (November 2014) “Microbial GABA and Clostridium difficile
infection” Multidisciplinary Translational Team Meeting, UTMB, Galveston, TX
Ross, C.L. and Savidge, T. (November 2014) “The role of GABA in susceptibility to
Clostridium difficile infection” Texas Branch ASM Meeting, Houston, TX (abstract
selected for oral presentation)
Ross, C.L. and Savidge. T. (August 2014) “Microbes, metabolites and Clostridium
difficile infection. Experimental Pathology. Houston, TX
Ross C.L. and Savidge, T. (June 2014) “Multi-omic signatures of Clostridium difficile
infection.” Clostridium difficile Gulf Coast Collaborative Meeting. Houston, TX
Ross C.L., Liang, X, Ganesh, V.K. and Höök, M. (June 2013) “Surface adhesions of
Clostridium difficile.” Clostridium difficile Gulf Coast Collaborative Meeting. Houston,
TX
Ross C.L., Thomason, K. and Koehler, T.M. (October 2008) “ß-lactamase gene
expression in the Bacillus cereus group species.” Molecular Biology of Infectious
Disease Meeting, Houston, TX.
Ross C.L.. Chen Y, and Koehler T. M. (June 2008). “Regulation of ß-lactamase gene
expression in the Bacillus cereus group species”. Center for Infectious and Inflammatory
Disease, Institute for Biosciences and Technology – Texas A&M, Houston Texas. (Oral).
Ross C.L.. Chen Y, and Koehler T. M. (May 2006). “An extra-cytoplasmic function
sigma factor controls -lactamase gene expression in Bacillus anthracis”. Molecular
Biology and Infectious Disease (MBID) Seminar Series, University of TX – Health
Science Center, Houston Texas.
Ross C.L.. Chen Y, and Koehler T. M. (September 2005). “An extra-cytoplasmic
function sigma factor controls -lactamase gene expression in Bacillus anthracis”.
Bacillus ACT05, Santa Fe, NM. (abstract selected for oral presentation)
Ross C.L., Chen Y and Koehler T.M. (April 2005). “An extra-cytoplasmic function
sigma factor controls -lactamase gene expression in Bacillus anthracis”. Microbiology
Department Retreat, Navasota, TX.
Poster
Ross, C.L., Peniche-Trujillo, A., Spinler, J.K., Oezguen, N., Cope, J., Urvil, P., Gerritsen,
J., Smidt, H., Kellermayer, R., Versalovic, J., Luna, R.A., Bennett, G. Koo, H.M., Garey,
K., Dann, S. and Savidge, T.C. (July 26-31, 2015) “Multi-omics reveals microbial GABA
as a community-defined susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection” Gordon
Research Conference, Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction Newport, RI
Ross, C.L., Peniche-Trujillo, A., Loeffelholz, M., Aitken, S., Oezguen, N., Urvil, P.,
Pena, M., Bennett, G. Koo, H.M., Garey, K., Dann, S. and Savidge, T.C. (February 2015)
“The role of GABA in susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection” 6th Annual
Frontiers in Digestive Diseases Symposium Houston, TX
Ross, C.L, Liang, X, Liu, Q, Murray, B.E., Hook, M. and Ganesh, V.K. (May 2011).
“The ligand affinity and specificity of the Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus
faecalis collagen-binding proteins, Ace and Cna, is influenced by the inter-domain linker
and inter-domain orientation” 111th General Meeting American Society for Microbiology
Ross, C.L, Liang, X, Liu, Q, Murray, B.E., Hook, M. and Ganesh, V.K. (October 2010).
“The sequence and length of the inter-domain linker influences ligand affinity and
specificity of S. aureus and E. faecalis collagen-binding MSCRAMMs.” International
Conference on Gram-positive Pathogens. Omaha, NE.
Ross C.L.. Chen Y, and Koehler T. M. (February 2008). “An extra-cytoplasmic function
sigma factor controls -lactamase gene expression in Bacillus anthracis”. ASM
Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Ross C.L.. Chen Y, and Koehler T. M. (April 2006). “An extra-cytoplasmic function
sigma factor controls -lactamase gene expression in Bacillus anthracis”. Graduate
Student Executive Committee (GSEC) Poster Competition, University of TX - Houston.
Ross C.L.. Chen Y, and Koehler T. M. (April 2006). “An extra-cytoplasmic function
sigma factor controls -lactamase gene expression in Bacillus anthracis”. Bugs, Drugs
and Vaccines. The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas and the
University of Texas System. Galveston, Texas. (Poster).
Ross C.L.., and Koehler T.M. (November 2004). “plcR/papR-independent expression of
anthrolysin O in Bacillus anthracis.” Research Day, Houston, TX.. (Poster).
Ross C.L.., and Koehler T.M. (November 2004). “plcR/papR-independent expression of
anthrolysin O in Bacillus anthracis.” 2004 Texas Branch of ASM Conference. Houston,
Texas. (Poster).
Memberships
2006 – Present
Member of the American Society for Microbiology.