I am a postdoctoral scholar in Michelle Reniere's lab at the University of Washington. My research investigates the genetic requirements for Staphylococcus aureus survival and growth in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis. My scientific interests are in basic biology of bacteria in the context of human infection, and I'm particularly interested in the molecular and genetic mechanisms that bacteria use to sense and adapt to harsh host environments. A major goal of my research is to develop in vitro or ex vivo models to discover aspects of bacterial biology that are relevant to human health. Outside the lab I have a passion for teaching and social justice advocacy in science education.
​
For detailed information, download full CV.
Education
March 2021
PhD in Molecular Microbiology,
Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Regulation and physiological role of the vieSAB operon in Vibrio cholerae El Tor
​
Advisor: Andrew Camilli
May 2014
BS in Molecular Biology,
Harvey Mudd College
Interaction of DNA supercoiling and RpoS in Escherichia coli
​
Advisor: Daniel Stoebel
Funding
2022-2025
Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Award
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Project title: Genetic requirements for MRSA growth in CF sputum
Publications
mBio, 2025
Shull LM, Wolter DJ, Kunkle DE, Legg KA, Giedroc DP, Skaar EP, Hoffman LR, and Reniere ML
Nature Microbiology, 2022
Gallagher LA, Velasquez E, Peterson SB, Charity JC, Radey MC, Gebhardt MJ, Hsu FS, Shull LM, Cutler KJ, Macareno K, de Moraes MH, Penewit KM, Kim J, Andrade PA, LaFramboise T, Salipante SJ, Reniere ML, de Lorenzo V, Wiggins PA, Dove SL, and Mougous JD
bioRxiv, 2022
Shull LM and Camilli A
eLife, 2020
Clark S, Thibault D, Shull LM, Davis KM, Aunins E, van Opijnen T, and Isberg RR
Methods in Molecular Biology, 2018
Shull LM and Camilli A
Nature Communications, 2018
Duncan MC, Forbes JC, Nguyen Y, Shull LM, Gillette RK, Lazinski DW, Ali A, Shanks RMQ, Kadouri DE, and Camilli A
Journal of Bacteriology, 2017
Wong GT, Bonocora RP, Schep AN, Beeler SM, Fong AL, Shull LM, Batachari LE, Dillon M, Evans C, Becker CJ, Bush E, Hardin J, Wade JT, and Stoebel DM
Selected Teaching
Curriculum samples available upon request
Jan. 2024 - present
SoundBio Lab
Instructor & Developer, Microbiology Essentials
​
Developed and led a four-week course in the basics of microbiology. Course material is accessible for all ages 12+ and open to all members of the community.
Spring 2023
University of Puget Sound
Affiliated Instructor, Genetics
​
In collaboration with another postdoctoral scholar and under the mentorship of Dr. Bryan Thines, developed a semester-long course in genetic techniques including lectures, class activities, assignments, and exam questions.
Fall 2019
Roxbury Community College
Adjunct Faculty, Microbiology​ (Instructor of Record)
Led a semester-long introductory microbiology course including both lecture and laboratory instruction. Developed syllabus, course content, and instructional materials.
Summer 2017 & 2018
Tufts University School of Medicine
Instructor, Prematriculation Summer Program
​
Developed and led a five-lesson mini course in microbiology aimed at incoming first-year medical students.
Fall 2017
Tufts University School of Medicine
Lead Teaching Assistant, Medical Foundations I: Microbiology
​
Led problem-set sections for groups of approximately sixteen students, offered weekly review sessions for the entire course of approximately 150 students, and answered all emailed student questions.
Winter 2017 & 2018
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Instructor, Pathway to the PhD
​
Developed a five-day laboratory-based course for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in science. Introduced concepts of experimental design, laboratory technique, and data analysis/interpretation.
Summer 2017
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Teaching Assistant, Advanced Bacterial Genetics
​
Assisted Dr. Andrew Camilli in teaching a month-long laboratory-based course in cutting edge bacterial genetics techniques aimed at graduate students and postdocs. Demonstrated techniques including Tn-seq, whole-genome sequencing of bacteria, and genetic manipulation of virulent bacteriophages using CRISPR.
Awards
2020
Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Awarded to support travel to an academic conference (travel cancelled due to COVID-19)
2018
Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Presented to the graduate student who has shown sustained teaching excellence during their time at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
2016-17
Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Recognizes outstanding achievement in research and scholarship during a student's first two years at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Meetings and Presentations
July 2024
Microbial Stress Response Gordon Research Conference & Gordon Research Seminar
Genetic requirements for S. aureus growth in cystic fibrosis sputa
​
Flash talk and poster presentation
April 2024
University of Puget Sound
March 2024
Pacific Lutheran University
November 2023
North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference
August 2023
Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages
Tn-seq reveals genes critical for S. aureus growth in cystic fibrosis sputum​
​
Poster presentation
July 2022
Microbial Stress Response Gordon Research Conference & Gordon Research Seminar
Genetic requirements for S. aureus growth in cystic fibrosis sputum
​
Poster presentation
June 2022
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Research Conference
Genetic requirements for S. aureus growth in cystic fibrosis sputum
​
Poster presentation
July 2020
Boston Bacterial Meeting
The response regulator and cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterase VieA is upregulated by intestinal signals and alters the transcriptional program of Vibrio cholerae El Tor
​
Online flash talk
May 2020
Prokaryotic Pathogens Seminar Series
Cholera in the time of COVID: The elusive role of vieA in Vibrio cholerae El Tor
​
Online talk
August 2019
Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages
Roles and regulation of the vieSAB operon in Vibrio cholerae El Tor
​
Poster presentation
July 2018
Microbial Stress Response Gordon Research Conference & Gordon Research Seminar
Roles and regulation of the cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterase VieA in Vibrio cholerae El Tor​
​
Poster presentation
Volunteer Work
Oct. 2023 - Sept. 2024
SoundBio Lab
Instructor & Developer, Microbiology Essentials
​
Developed and led a four-week course in the basics of microbiology. Course material is accessible for all ages 12+ and open to all members of the community.
May 2024 - present
Journal of Emerging Investigators
Associate Editor and Reviewer
​
Serve as an editor and reviewer for manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Emerging Investigators, which provides peer review and publishes work exclusively by middle- and high-school students.
Professional Training
Science Teaching Experience Program
University of Washington​
​
Developed and taught a curriculum in Genetics at University of Puget Sound. Received pedagogy training and direct mentorship from experts in undergraduate science pedagogy.
Outside the Lab
When I'm not at work, I love playing board games with my friends and spending time with my partner and our two cats. I'm an avid cook and always on the hunt for new and complicated recipes from different cultures. On the weekends, you'll probably find me reading a book at a quiet bar, grabbing dinner at a new restaurant, or inside a tattoo studio.