Biology and Geology

Dr. Michael E. Kovach earned his B.S. from Baldwin-Wallace College and his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Louisiana State University Medical Center - Shreveport (now, Louisiana State University Health Science Center - Shreveport).   His teaching responsibilities at Baldwin-Wallace College include Microbiology, Immunology, Freshman Biology Seminar and on occasion, non-majors Biology and Sophomore Biology Seminar.  Dr. Kovach's doctoral and post-doctoral research focused on how bacteria are able to cause disease (bacterial pathogenesis) and his post-doctoral work investigated the importance of DNA repair in intracellular survival of the Gram-negative pathogen, Brucella abortus. 

His laboratory is currently investigating the importance of DNA repair on intracellular survival of the Gram-negative bacterium, Brucella abortus.  The laboratory is focused on determining the role of O⁶ methylguanine transferase (Ada), a gene product know to play a role in the adaptive response to alkylating damage in other microorganisms, in intracellular survival of the Brucellae.

Dr. Kovach is also interested in exploring new aspects of bacterial physiology, molecular biology and pathogenesis that are designed around the student’s specific area of interest.  Examples of these types of projects include student initiated projects (Summer Scholars, Faculty-Student Collaborative Scholarship and campus internships and independent studies) exploring the role of metal ions in controlling microbial growth; the role of commercial air purifiers in controlling microbial growth; the efficacy of commercially available Leptospirosis vaccines for canines; the development of Ochrobactrum anthropi as a research model for Brucella spp.; the development of tolerance to biocides in microorganisms; determining the antimicrobial efficacy of a commercial cleaning cloth; determining the distribution of Wolbachia spp. across insect orders; surveying microbial populations in area waterways and the isolation, purification and characterization of Erwinia spp. from the environment.

New areas of microbiology that are of interest to Dr. Kovach include the role of microorganisms in the process of bioremediation as well as projects that explore pathogens of plants.

Grant Support and Publications:

Publications:

 
Roux, CM, N.J. Booth, B.H. Bellaire, J.M. Gee, R. M. Roop II, M. E. Kovach, R.M. Tsolis, P.H. Elzer, D.G. Ennis. (2006). RecA and RadA proteins of Brucella abortus do not perform overlapping protective DNA repair functions following oxidative burst.  J. Bacteriology 188(14):5187-5195.

Gee, J.M., M.W. Valderas, M. E. Kovach, V. K. Grippe, G.T. Robertson, W.L. NG, J.M. Richardson, M.W. Winkler and R. M. Roop II. 2005. The Brucella abortus Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SodC) is required for optimal resistance to oxidative killing by murine macrophages and wild type virulence in experimentally infected mice. Infect. Immun. 73(5):2873-2880.

Gee, J.M., M. E. Kovach, V.K. Grippe, S. Haguis, J. V. Walker, P.H. Elzer, and R. M. Roop II. 2004. Role of catalase in the virulence of Brucella melitensis in pregnant goats. Veterinary Microbiology 102:111-115.

Robertson, G.T., M.E. Kovach, C. Allen, T.A. Ficht and R.M. Roop II. 2000. The Brucella abortus Lon functions as a generalized stress response protease and is required for wild-type virulence in BALB/c mice. Mol. Microbiol. 35(3):577-588.
 

Faculty-Student Collaborative Scholarship:

Alcala, A. and M.E.Kovach Subinhibitory Biocide Concentrations do not Confer Biocide Resistance in Escherichia coli. Ovation 2011.  Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio. May 2011

Billy, S.M. and M.E. Kovach. Mechanisms of DNA repair in Brucella.  Spring Science Poster Session 2007. Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio.  April 2007.

Moreno, S.E. and M.E. Kovach. Unlocking the pathogenesis of Brucella abortus through DNA repair. Bridges to Success in the Sciences Poster Session. Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland Ohio. July 30, 2002.

Moreno, S.E, R.J. Braydich, M.E. Kovach. Cloning and complementation of the Brucella abortus O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (ada) involved in the adaptive response to alkylating DNA damage. Spring Science Poster Session. Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea Ohio. April 2002.
 

Moreno, S.E and M.E. Kovach. Cloning and complementation of the Brucella abortus O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (ada) involved in the adaptive response to alkylating DNA damage. Bridges to Success in the Sciences Poster Session. Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland Ohio.  April 26, 2002.
 

Grant Support/Funding:

2010       ----------------: “PaintShield Antimicrobial Coating” subcontract - $218,000