Jeongmin Song, PhD
Associate Professor of Microbiology & Immunology
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Lab Website ORCID pageCornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
C4-109 Veterinary Medical Center
Ithaca, NY 14853
Profile
Research/Clinical Interests
Research Interests and Expertise:
- Microbial pathogenesis
- Host-microbe interactions
- Salmonella
- Bacterial toxins and glycobiology
- Bacterial capsule variation
- Antimicrobial resistance
Overview & Background:
Decoding the molecular logic of typhoid fever and its long-term health consequences. Using structural, glycobiological, genetic, and in vivo approaches, we ask how Salmonella Typhi (STy) finds its intestinal niche, evades immunity, disseminates, and persists in the hepatobiliary system, and whether these strategies generalize to other pathogens. Our questions center on the bacterial factors behind these steps, including typhoid toxin and naturally occurring variants of the Vi capsule.
Opportunities:
We are interested in recruiting talented, passionate members to our dynamic, collegial group. Please contact PI, Jeongmin Song (js2957 at cornell.edu) with your CV, if you are interested. Graduate students: Dr. Song is affiliated with the following graduate programs at Cornell University: the Biomedical & Biological Sciences program (BBS), the Biochemistry, Molecular Cellular Biology program (BMCB), and the Microbiology program. Postdoctoral Associates: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and/or related fields to be considered for a postdoctoral associate position.
Education
- PhD (Duke University)
- Postdoctoral training (Yale University)
Biography/Professional Experience
My research program at Cornell University focuses on how Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (STy), the bacterium that causes typhoid fever, damages host cells and contributes to infection-associated disease. Over the past decade as an independent investigator, I have built a program combining bacterial genetics, structural biology, glycobiology, and mouse models. I trained with Dr. Soman Abraham at Duke University and, as a postdoctoral fellow, with Dr. Jorge Galán at Yale University, where I began working on typhoid toxin. My laboratory developed mouse infection models for typhoid and discovered naturally occurring variants of the Vi capsule; we use these tools to define, at the molecular level, how typhoid toxin and capsule variation shape infection and its long-term consequences.
Professional/Academic Affiliations
Dr. Song is a member of the following Graduate Fields: