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Eugene Burns

Eugene Burns

Title: Professor of Biology
Subject Area: Biology
Office Location: MAS320
Phone: (740) 351-3685
Email: eburns@shawnee.edu

Education

University of Tennessee
Ph.D. in Microbiology, 1995

University of Tennessee
B.A. in College Scholars Program with an emphasis in Biology, 1987

About

Dr. Burns is a professor of Biology for the Department of Natural Sciences at Shawnee State University.

Dr. Burns is a microbiologist interested primarily in host-pathogen interactions of bacteria. In addition to teaching microbiology, immunology, and related classes, Dr. Burns actively involves undergraduate students in his research. Current research projects in his lab involve studies of Streptococcus pyogenes and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Primary courses

  • BIOL3750 – Microbiology

  • BIOL4760 – Diagnostic Microbiology

  • BIOL4765 – Virology

  • BIOL4770 – Cell Biology

  • BIOL4780 – Immunology

Activities and research

Select service activities

  • President, Shawnee Education Association

  • CAS Senator at Large, University Faculty Senate

  • Faculty representative, President’s Budget Team

Research

Dr. Burns conducts undergraduate research in the area of microbiology. Students in his lab has performed projects studying interaction of Bordetella bronchiseptica with animal cells, prevalence of Bordetella species in the wild animal population, host specificity of Bordetella bronchiseptica, matrix metalloprotease activation by Group A Streptococcus, coliforms in the Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park, and carriage of Streptococcus pyogenes among Shawnee State University students.

Undergraduate students have presented their research at the American Society for Microbiology general meeting, the Ohio Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, the Beta Beta BetaBiological Honor Society District Convention, and the Celebration of Scholarship Undergraduate Conference, supported by funds from the Department of Natural Sciences, the CAS Dean’s Office, and the Board of Trustees Award.

Publications

* indicates an undergraduate student author

  • Uldrich, Emily*, Richard Phipps*, Terry D. Hinds, Jr.*, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2005. Selective Reduction of Coliforms in Constructed Wetlands at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park. Olentangy River Wetland Research Park Annual Report 2005.

  • Hoe, Nancy P., Robin M. Ireland, Frank R. DeLeo, Brian B. Gowen, David W. Dorward, Jovanka M. Voyich, Mengyao Liu, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., Derek M. Culnan*, Anthony Bretscher, and James M. Musser. 2002. Insight into the Molecular Basis of Pathogen Abundance: Group A Streptococcus Inhibitor of Complement Inhibits Bacterial Adherence and Internalization into Human Cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99: 7646-7651.

  • Hinds, Terry D., Jr.*, Rachel R. Brown*, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2002. Reduction of Fecal Coliform Levels in Two Created Wetlands at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park. Olentangy River Wetland Research Park Annual Report 2001 pp. 69-72.

  • Kania, Stephen A., S. Rajeev, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., Thomas F. Odom, S. Holloway, and David A. Bemis. 2000. Characterization of fimN, a New Bordetella bronchisepticaMajor Fimbrial Subunit Gene . Gene 256: 149-155.

  • Keil, Daniel J., Eugene H. Burns, Jr., William R. Kisker*, David Bemis, and Brad Fenwick. 2000. Cloning and Characterization of a Truncated Bordetella bronchisepticaFilamentous Hemagglutinin Fusion Protein. Vaccine 18: 860-867.

  • Christian, Matthew W.*, under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 1999. Isolation of the Genes Encoding the Variable Region of a Monoclonal Antibody Specific for Pasteurella haemolytica Leukotoxin. BIOS 70: 105-111.

  • Stockbauer, Kathryn E., Louranne Magoun, Mengyao Liu, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., Siddeswar Gubba, Sarah Renish, Xi Pan, Sarah C. Bodary, Elizabeth Baker, Jenifer Coburn, John M. Leong, and James M. Musser. 1999. A Natural Variant of the Cysteine Protease Virulence Factor of Group A Streptococcus with an Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid (RGD) Motif Preferentially Binds Human Integrins αvβ3and αIIvβ3. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96: 242-247.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., Slawomir Lukomski, Jacqueline Ruringirwa, and James M. Musser. 1998. Genetic Inactivation of the Extracellular Cysteine Protease Enhances In Vitro Internalization of Group A Streptococci by Human Endothelial Cells. Microb. Pathog. 24: 333-339.

  • Lukomski, Slawomir, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., Philip R. Wyde, Andreas Podbielski, Jacqueline Ruringirwa, Donna K. Moore-Poveda, and James M. Musser. 1998. Genetic Inactivation of the Extracellular Cysteine Protease (SpeB) Expressed by Streptococcus pyogenes Decreases Resistance to Phagocytosis and Dissemination to Organs. Infect. Immun. 66: 771-776.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., Ann Marie Marciel, and James M. Musser. 1997. Structure-Function and Pathogenesis Studies of Streptococcus pyogenes Extracellular Cysteine Protease, In T. Horaud, S. Sicard, A. Bouvet, and H. de Montclos (ed.). Streptococci and the Host. Plenum Press.; New York, NY. pp. 589-592.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., Ann Marie Marciel, and James M. Musser. 1996. Activation of a 66-Kilodalton Human Endothelial Cell Matrix Metalloprotease by Streptococcus pyogenes Extracellular Cysteine Protease. Infect. Immun. 64: 4744-4750.

  • Bemis, David A., and Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 1993. Bordetella, In C. L. Gyles and C. O. Theon (ed.). Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections in Animals, second edition. Iowa State University Press; Ames, Iowa. pp. 201-215.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., John M. Norman, Monty D. Hatcher, and David A. Bemis. 1993. Fimbriae and Determination of Host Species Specificity of Bordetella bronchiseptica. J. Clin. Microbiol. 31: 1838-1844.

Select presentations

* indicates an undergraduate student

  • Felty, J. Dylan,* and Zion Dials,* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2016. Identifying Proteins Regulated by the Bordetella bronchiseptica histidine kinase Bb2359. Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Northeast District 4 Convention. Ohio University, Athens, OH, March 19.

  • Otworth, Adam P.,* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2015. Complementation of the Bb2359 Gene Mutation in Bordetella bronchiseptica. Beta Beta BetaBiological Honor Society Northeast District 4 Convention. Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, KY, March 28.

  • Kelley, Elijah,* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2015. Inactivating the Bp2536 Gene in Bordetella pertussis. Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Northeast District 4 Convention. Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, KY, March 28.

  • Kelley, Elijah,* and Brandon Mays,* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2014. Characterizing Proteins Produced in Mutant Bordetella bronchiseptica. Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Northeast District 4 Convention. University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, March 29.

  • Otworth, Adam P.,* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2014. Mutated Bordetella bronchisepticaAttachment To Dog And Pig Cells. Beta Beta BetaBiological Honor Society Northeast District 4 Convention. University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, March 29.

  • Ringiesn, Jeff,* Cody Horn,* Andrew M. Pollard,* William Harrison Andry, * and Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2013. Insertional Inactivation of the Gene Encoding Hypothetical Protein BB2359 Increases Agglutination of Bordetella bronchiseptica. American Society for Microbiology 113th General Meeting, Denver, CO, May 18-21.

  • Li, April, * and Samantha Walls,* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2013. Group A Streptococcus Induced Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinases. Beta Beta BetaBiological Honor Society Northeast District 4 Convention. University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, March 23.

  • Ringiesn, Jeff,* and William Harrison Andry* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2012. Insertional Inactivation of a Bordetella bronchiseptica Gene Increases Attachment to Canine and Porcine Respiratory Epithelial Cells in vitro. Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Northeast District 4 Convention. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, March 24.

  • Cornell, Michael* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2011. Development of an Antibody Based Method for Determining Attachment of Bordetella bronchisepticato Porcine Nasal Epithelial and Canine Tracheal Epithelial Cells in Vitro. Beta Beta Beta Northeast District 4 Convention. Ohio University, Athens, OH, April 9.

  • Carlson, Ken, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2011. CyberTrek Faculty Learning Community Use of Technology in the Classroom. Festival of Achievement, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH, April 7.

  • Smith, Cory* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2010. Isolation and Cloning of the FHA Gene. 6th Annual Celebration of Scholarship, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH, April 8.

  • Carter, Mark,* and Vanessa Veach* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2010. Bacterial Attachment: Counting Made Easy. 6th Annual Celebration of Scholarship, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH, April 8.

  • Finzer, Breck,* Matt Watson,* and John Street.* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2007. Activation of Matrix Metalloproteases by Bordetella bronchiseptica. Third Annual Celebration of Scholarship Undergraduate Conference, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH, May 17.

  • Carlson, Kenneth W., Kathryn Locke, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., and Barbara L. Kunkle. 2006. I Came, I Saw, iPod and used Mobile Technologies: Using New Technologies to Extend Student Learning and the Reach of Faculty. 26th Annual Lilly Conference on College Teaching, Miami University, Oxford, OH, November 16-19, 2006.

  • Barbara L. Kunkle, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., Kenneth W. Carlson. 2006. Voyages of the CyberTrek Faculty Learning Community: Adapting the Miami Model to Strange New Worlds. 26th Annual Lilly Conference on College Teaching, Miami University, Oxford, OH, November 16-19, 2006.

  • Barbara L. Kunkle, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr., 2006. Balancing PLC Objectives with Individual Objectives and Student Learning with PLC Learning, OLN Southeast Regional Center Kick-off, Shawnee State University. Oct. 26.

  • Barbara L. Kunkle, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr., 2006. Balancing Scholarship with Community Building in PLCs, OLN Southeast Regional Center Kick-off, Shawnee State University. Oct. 26.

  • Barbara L. Kunkle, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr., 2006. Balancing Technology with Pedagogy, OLN Southeast Regional Center Kick-off, Shawnee State University. Oct. 26.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., Kenneth Carlson, and Kathryn Locke. 2005. The iPod Photo: A Bridge to Better Teaching and Learning. 13th Annual Teaching/Learning Conference: Bridges, Ashland, KY, Oct. 27-28.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr. 2004. The CyberTrek Learning Community: Enhancing Student Learning through Technology. 12th Annual Teaching/Learning Conference: Building a Learning Community One Student at a Time, Ashland, KY, Nov. 4-5.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr. 2004. Accessibility of Blackboard Coursesites. Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness and Action Day. Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH, Sept. 22.

  • Bentley, Jared C.* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2004. Attachment of Streptococcal Collagen-Like Protein Mutants of Group A Streptococcus to Human Lung Cells. Beta Beta Beta Northeast District 4 Regional Convention. Mount Union College, Alliance, OH, April 24.

  • Kunkle, Barbara, Shannon Lawson, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., 2003. Faculty Learning Communities: Great Results Even in Tough Times. 11th Annual Teaching/Learning Conference: Achieving Teaching Excellence in Tough Times. Ashland Community and Technical College , Ashland, KY, Oct. 10-11.

  • Uldrich, Emily*, Richard Phipps*, Terry D. Hinds, Jr.*, Judith L. Gardner*, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 2003. Selective Reduction of Coliforms in Constructed Wetlands at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park. American Society for Microbiology 103rd General Meeting, Washington, DC, May 18-22.

  • Hoe, Nancy P., Slawomir Lukomski, R. Ireland, Mary Liu, Eugene H. Burns, Jr, Derek M. Culnan*, and James M. Musser. 2001. The Hypervariable Streptococcal Inhibitor of Complement Protein, a Virulence Factor that Inhibits Group A Streptococcus Adherence to Host Cells. American Society for Microbiology 101st General Meeting, Orlando, FL, May 20-24.

  • Huang, Xiaodan, Kathryn Jansak, Barbara Trube, Krista Taylor, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., and Julia Coll. 2000. Using Coursesites to Support, Enhance, and Extend Classroom-Based Teaching. Ohio 2000 Teaching, Learning, and Technology Conference, Best Practices in Higher Education, Dublin, OH, October 27.

  • Schnedeker, Bryan*, David A. Bemis, and Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 1999. Variation in Bordetella bronchiseptica Adhesion in an In-Vitro Model. American Society for Microbiology 99th General Meeting, Chicago, IL, May 29-June 3.

  • Raffell, Thomas R.*, Steven Marks*, Eugene H. Burns, Jr., and Louise M. Temple. 1999. Incidence of Bordetella avium Colonization in Wild Birds of New Jersey. American Society for Microbiology 99th General Meeting, Chicago, IL, May 29-June 3.

  • Christian, Matthew W.* under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. Cloning of the Genes Encoding the Variable Region of a Monoclonal Antibody Specific for Pasteurella haemolytica Leukotoxin. Beta Beta Beta 1999 Northeast District 2 Regional Convention. Rider University. Lawrenceville, NJ. April 24.

  • Kisker, William R.*, and Bryan J. Schnedeker*, under the supervision of Eugene H. Burns, Jr. 1999. Attachment Ability of Bordetella bronchiseptica Strains to Host Respiratory Fibroblasts. Beta Beta Beta 1999 Northeast District 2 Regional Convention. Rider University. Lawrenceville, NJ. April 24.

  • Kania, Steven A., Eugene H. Burns, Jr., T. F. Odom, S. Rajeev, and David A. Bemis. 1998. Characterization of a New Bordetella bronchiseptica Fimbrial Gene. American Society for Microbiology 98th General Meeting, Atlanta, GA, May 17-21.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr. 1996. Interleukin 1β Convertase and Other Toxins of Streptococcus pyogenes. Bristol-Meyers Squibb International Symposium on Streptococcal and Enterococcal Diseases, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, Oct. 3-5. Invited Speaker.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., Ann Marie Marciel, and James M. Musser. 1996. Structure-Function and Pathogenesis Studies of Streptococcus pyogenes Extracellular Cysteine Protease. XIIIth Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases, Paris, France, Sept. 16-20.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., Ann Marie Marciel, and James M. Musser. 1996. Activation of a Matrix Metalloprotease by the Group A Streptococcus Extracellular Cysteine Protease. American Society for Microbiology 96th General Meeting, New Orleans, LA, May 19-23.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., and David A. Bemis. 1994. Antibody Inhibition of Attachment by Bordetella bronchiseptica. American Society for Microbiology 94th General Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, May 23-27.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., and David A. Bemis. 1993. Fimbriae and Attachment of Bordetella bronchiseptica. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease, Chicago, IL, November 8-9.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., John M. Norman, and David A. Bemis. 1992. Comparison of Fimbrial Serotype 2 Antigen Expression Levels in Bordetella bronchiseptica Strains. American Society for Microbiology 92nd General Meeting, New Orleans, LA, May 26-30.

  • Burns, Eugene H., Jr., John M. Norman, and David A. Bemis. 1990. Complementation of Fimbrial Serotype 2 Negative Bordetella bronchiseptica Strains with a Cloned Fimbrial Gene from Bordetella bronchiseptica Strain 110H. Sixth International Symposium on Pertussis, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, September 26-28.

Additional information

Dr. Burns was the recipient of the Shawnee State University Distinguished Teaching Award and was an Ohio Magazine Excellence in Education Honoree in 2015.

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