Professional Activities

EDUCATION

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Miami, FL

Graduate Program in Biology (Ph.D. Biology)                                                                                 08/2003-12/2008

Doctoral research on the identification, chemical characterization, and bioactivity of Italian medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for skin and soft tissue infections.

 

EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, GA

B.S. Biology; B.S. Anthropology and Human Biology                                                               08/1996-05/2000

 

Linguistic Skills

  • English, Fluent in Spoken, Reading, Writing
  • Italian, Fluent in Spoken, Reading; Intermediate in Writing
  • Spanish, Intermediate in Written and Spoken, Fluent in Reading

 

POSITIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, GA

Current Primary Appointment (School of Medicine)

Associate Professor of Dermatology                                                                                    9/2020-present

Tenure-track home appointment focused on directing a drug discovery research program.

 

Current Joint/Secondary Appointments (College of Arts and Sciences)

Associate Professor of Human Health                                                                                 9/2020-present

Secondary home appointment focused on undergraduate teaching and research.

Curator of the Emory University Herbarium                                                                                06/2012-present

Responsible for the museum quality curation and management of a collection of >22,000 specimens.

Associated (Affiliate) Professor of Biology                                                                                                    06/2012-present

Associate appointment to facilitate work in direction of the herbarium, cross-listed classes, and training undergraduate researchers in biology.

Associated (Affiliate) Faculty of Anthropology                                                                                         11/2013-present

Associate appointment to facilitate cross-listed classes and training undergraduate researchers in anthropology.

Associated (Affiliate) Professor of Environmental Science                                                                            06/2012-present

Associate appointment to facilitate cross-listed classes and training undergraduate researchers in environmental sciences.

 

Past Appointments (College of Arts and Sciences)

Assistant Professor of Dermatology                                                                                    11/2013-8/2020

Tenure-track home, 50% appointment focused on directing a drug discovery research program.

Assistant Professor of Human Health, College of Arts and Sciences                                         11/2013-8/2020

Secondary home, 50% appointment focused on undergraduate teaching and research.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Human Health

8/2012-10/2013

Teaching and research appointment, developing courses in human Health and leading R01 funded research (PI).

Postdoctoral Fellow                                                                                                                  08/2011-07/2012

Advisor: Michelle Lampl, M.D., Ph.D.

Postdoctoral teaching appointment aimed at the design of courses for the new Center for the Study of Human Health program.

 

CLQ BOTANICALS LLC, Atlanta, GA

CEO                                                                                                                                        4/2020-present

Consulting company focused on functional botanical ingredients for industry.

 

PHYTOTEK LLC, Atlanta, GA

CEO and Chief Scientific Officer                                                                                                10/2010-present

Startup company focused on commercialization of my patented anti-biofilm technology.

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES, Little Rock, AR

Postdoctoral Fellow                                                                                                                    08/2009-07/2011

Advisor: Mark Smeltzer, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral training in microbial pathogenesis with research focus on the anti-biofilm properties of plant natural products. Funded by F32 award from NIH (PI).

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK, Little Rock, AR

Adjunct Professor of Biology                                                                                                        01/2010-2018

Online teaching appointment of Microbiology with lab (Fall, Spring, Summer) and Medical Botany (Summer).

 

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Miami, FL

Graduate Student (Research Assistant & Teaching Assistant)                                                    08/2003-12/2008

Advisor: Bradley C. Bennett, Ph.D.

Doctoral research and training in ethnobotany, plant taxonomy and natural products chemistry. Funded by T32 and then F31 awards from NIH.

 

Other Prior Scientific Positions

  • Honorary Director, Ethnobotanical Garden of Ginestra, Italy, 2008-2016
  • President and Co-Director, Biocultural Diversity Conservancy, 2010-2014
  • Science Teacher, Miller Grove Middle School, 2001-2002
  • Statistical Analyst, DeSoto County Health Department, 2000-2001
  • Research Assistant in Anthropology, Emory University, 1999-2000
  • Research Assistant, Yerkes Primate Research Facility, 1999-2000
  • Teaching Assistant in Biology, Emory University, 1998
  • Research Assistant, Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Center, 1997

 

Consultantships and Scientific Advisory Boards

  • Scientific Advisory Board, Firefly Innovations, LLC, 2018-present
  • Consultant, The Periodic Table of Food Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation, 2020-present
  • Consultant, The Coca Cola Company, a Fortune 100 beverage company, 2018-2021
  • Consultant, Medline, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical products with patient-centered solutions, services and expertise across the continuum of care, 2018-2020
  • Scientific Advisory Board, Lifestory Health, Inc., a US-based medical diagnostics company, 2017-2019
  • Consultant, New Herbal Medicine Company, 2017-2018
  • Consultant, Hybrid Productions LLC, Consultant for National Geographic TV program on the history of medicine, 2016-2017
  • Consultant, YourEncore Consulting for Industry (Fortune 200 Companies), 2015-2016
  • Scientific Advisory Council for the Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2013-2016

 

Research Faculty Appointments

  • Itch Translational Clinical Home at Emory (ITCH-E), Dept. of Dermatology, Core Faculty, 2018-2020
  • Winship Cancer Institute Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Program, Member, 2015-present
  • Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Member & Internal Advisory Board, 2015-present

 

Continuing Development Activities

  • Diversity: Inclusion in the Modern Workplace (EDU) (255029-11207) course offered through the Emory Learning Management System, 2021
  • Faculty Success Program, National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, 2021
  • QEP: Nature of the Evidence Teaching Workshop, Emory University, 2016
  • Academic and Industry Intersection Conference, Georgia Bio, 2015
  • Academic Learning Community: Food Studies, 2014
  • Kauffman TechVenture Program at Emory University, 2012
  • Pitching and Placing Your Op-Ed workshop at Emory University, 2012
  • FAST mentor award program for entrepreneurs, 2010
  • Advanced Invention to Venture (AI2V) workshop, 2010

SERVICE

Committee Memberships

National and International Committee Service

  • Member, Bylaws and Protocol Committee, Society for Economic Botany, 2021-2024
  • Chair, Varro E. Tyler Prize Committee, American Society of Pharmacognosy, 2020-2021
  • Member, Constitution and Bylaws Committee, American Society of Pharmacognosy, 2018-2021.
  • Member, Frank N. Meyer Medal for Plant Genetic Resources Committee, Crop Science Society of America, Liason for the Society for Economic Botany, 2018-2021
  • Member, International Advisory Scientific Committee, AMR Control, WAAAR – World Alliance Against Antibiotic Resistance, 2017-present
  • Chair, Endowment Committee, Society for Economic Botany, 2016-2017
  • Chair, Nominations and Awards Committee, Society for Economic Botany, 2016-2017
  • Chair, Social Media Committee, Society for Economic Botany, 2015-2018
  • Chair, Education and Outreach Committee, Society for Economic Botany, 2015-2016
  • Chair, Executive Committee, Society for Economic Botany, 2015-2016
  • Chair, Membership Committee, Society for Economic Botany, 2014-2015
  • Ethics-Coordinator, Ethics Committee, Society of Ethnobiology, 2010-2011
  • Member, Society for Economic Botany Student Committee, 2006-2008

 

Institutional Committee Service

  • Member, Executive Committee, Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, 2020-
  • Chair, Communications Committee, Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, 2020-
  • Member, Ad hoc committee for student recruitment and application reviews, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, 2020
  • Member, Service Center Advisory Board, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, 2019-present
  • Member, Internal Advisory Committee, Biological Discovery through Chemical Innovation Initiative, 2019-present
  • Member, Research Administration Faculty Advisory Board, Emory University (2-year term) 2019-2021.
  • Member, SOM Research Strategic Plan Fundamental Sciences Stakeholder Team, 2018
  • Member, Ad hoc committee for Student Grade Appeal, GDBBS MMG Program, 2018
  • Member and Web-designer, Emory University WiSE (Women in Science at Emory), 2017-present
  • Chair, Center for the Study of Human Health Speaker Series Committee, 2017-present
  • Member, Sustainability Faculty Advisory Council, 2016-present
  • Member, Internal Advisory Board, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, 2016-present
  • Member, Ad hoc committee for Doctoral Oral Exam Defenses, GDBBS MSP Program, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Member, Executive Committee, Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, 2016-2018
  • Chair, Curriculum Committee, Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, 2016-2018
  • Co-chair, Seminar Scheduling, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, 2016-2018
  • Member, Executive Committee, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, 2016-2018
  • Member, Molecular Systems Pharmacology Graduate Program Examination Committee, 2015-2016
  • Member, Grade Dispute Panel of the Center for the Study of Human Health, 2015-2016
  • Chair, Herbarium Advisory Committee Chair; 2014-present

 

Society Memberships and Service Roles

  • The Explorers Club
    • Fellow, 2019-present
  • Society of Herbarium Curators, 2015-present
  • Society of Ethnobiology (SoE), 2008-2013
    • Ethics coordinator, 2010-2011
  • Society for Economic Botany (SEB), 2003-present
    • Student Listserv Monitor, 2008-2011
    • Council Member at Large, 2010-2013
    • President-Elect, 2014-2015
    • President, 2015-2016
    • Immediate Past-President (board position), 2016-2017
  • American Society for Microbiology (ASM), 2004-2011; 2017-present
  • American Chemical Society (ACS), 
  • International Society of Ethnopharmacology (ISE), 2003-2004, 2010-2012, 2017-2018
  • American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP), 2007-present
    • Newsletter Editor for “Field Notes” section, 2018-2021
    • Member, Constitution and Bylaws Committee, 2019-present
    • Chair, Tyler Prize Committee, 2020-present
  • Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID), 2014-present
    • Board of Directors, 2021-2026
  • Open Science Network in Ethnobiology, 2010
    • Core Team Member, 2010-2013
    • Vice-President, 2013-2015
  • International Society for Ethnology and Folklore (SIEF), 2001-2002
  • International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE), 2001-2002, 2010-2012

 

Organization of Conferences and Symposia

International and National

  • Chair, Meeting Organizing Committee, Society for Economic Botany 56th Annual Conference in Clanwilliam, South Africa, 2014-2015
  • Reviewer for conference abstracts, Society for Economic Botany, Clanwilliam, South Africa, 6/2015
  • Oral presentation judge, Society for Economic Botany meetings, 2012, 2015, and 2016

 

Institutional

  • Oral presentation judge, Emory STEM Research Symposium, 2018
  • Chair, Symposium Organization Committee, Botanical Research Symposium and Celebration at Emory University, Atlanta, GA 9/2018
  • Poster presentation judge, Emory STEM Research Symposium, 2013, 2014, and 2016
  • Reviewer for symposium abstracts, Emory University, Emory-Laney Graduate School STEM Research and Career symposium, 2/2015

 

Editorships and Editorial Boards

  1. Editorial Board, Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2008-present
  2. Editorial Board, Contributions in Ethnobiology, 2010-present
  3. Editorial Board, Ethnobiology and Conservation, 2012-present
  4. Editorial Board, Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011-2015
  5. Associate Editor, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2017-present
  6. Editorial Board, Scientific Reports, Infectious Diseases Section, 2018-
  7. Editorial Board, Natural Product Reports, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2021-2024

 

Peer Review Activities: Grants

External Grant Reviews: National Institutes of Health (USA)

  1. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2021/10 ZGM1 RCB-2 (C1), National Institute of General Medical Sciences Special Emphasis Panel. COBRE. 6/21/2021.
  2. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2021/05 ZAT1 PS (02) 2, NCCIH Training and Education Review Panel (CT). 2/22/2021 
  3. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2020/10 ZGM1 RCB-9 (C1), COBRE panel. 7/10/2020.
  4. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2020/01 ZAT1 JM (06) L, NCCIH Training, Fellowship, and Career Development Review Panel (CT). 11/12-13/2019.
  5. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group, 2019/08 ZNS1 SRB-H (07) R, HEAL: Optimization of Non-addictive Therapies [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain. 7/26/2019.
  6. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2019/10 ZAT1 JM (05) L, NCCIH Training, Fellowship, and Career Development Review Panel (CT). 7/19/19.
  7. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group, 2019/08 ZNS1 SRB-H (05) 1, HEAL: Optimization of Non-addictive Therapies [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain. 6/3-4/2019
  8. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2019/05 ZRG1 IDM-X (10) B  Small Business: Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics, 3/18-19/2019
  9. National Institutes of Health, CSR, Ad hoc reviewer, 2019/05 ZRG1 IDM-S (83) A, “Infectious Diseases and Microbiology AREA Review”, 3/11/19
  10. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer,  2019/01 ZAT1 VS (12) 1 Fellowship, Career Development, and Research Grant Programs, NCCIH, 11/30/2018
  11. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2019/01 Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics (ZRG1 IDM-X (10)B) “Small business: Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 11/14/2018-11/15/2018.
  12. National Institutes of Health, CSR, Ad hoc reviewer, P20 (COBRE Phase 1), 7/10/2018-7/11/2018
  13. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer,  Fellowship, Career Development, and Research Grant Programs, NCCIH, 4/5/2018
  14. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2018/01 Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics (ZRG1 IDM-X (10)B)  “Small business: Non-HIV anti-infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 3/26/2018-3/27/2018
  15. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2018/01 ZRG1 IDM-X (10) B  “Small business: Non-HIV anti-infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 11/6/2017-11/7/2017
  16. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer,  Fellowship, Career Development, and Research Grant Programs (2018/01 ZAT1 VS (06) 1), NCCIH, 11/8/2017
  17. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics (201701 ZRG1 IDM-X (10)B), NIH/CSR, 11/14/2016-11/15/2016.
  18. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2016/10 ZRG1 IDM-M (07) M, NIH/CSR, 7/18/2016
  19. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2016/10 ZRG1 IDM-S (81) A, AREA application in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, NIH/CSR, 7/18/2016
  20. National Science Centre, Poland, Ad hoc reviewer, (Narodowe Centrum Nauki – NCN; http://www.ncn.gov.pl), 4/10/2016.
  21. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2016/05 ZRG1 IDM-X (10) B “Small business: Non-HIV anti-infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 4/4/2016-4/5/2016
  22. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2016/05 ZAT1 SM (40) S Training and Education, NCCIH,3/17/2016
  23. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2016/01 ZAT1 SM (39) L Training and Education, NCCIH, 11/19/2015
  24. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2016/01 ZRG1 IDM-X (10) B, Small Business: Non-HIV Anti Infective Therapeutics, NIH, CSR, 11/12-11/13/2015
  25. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, 2016/01 ZRG1 IDM-V (07) B, Small Business: Non-HIV Infectious Diseases Therapeutics, NIH, CSR, 11/12/2015
  26. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group ZRG1 IDM-X (10)B “Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 2015
  27. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2015/10 ZRG1 IDM-V (07) B “Small Business: Therapeutics for Infectious Diseases”, NIH/CSR, 2015
  28. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group ZRG1 IDM-X (10)B for SBIR/STTR “Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 2015
  29. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2015/01 ZRG1 IDM-10 for SBIR/STTR “Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 2015
  30. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2015/01 ZRG1 IDM-U (10) B for SBIR/STTR “Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics”, NIH/CSR, 2014
  31. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2014/10 ZRG1 IDM-U (10) B for SBIR/STTR “Non-HIV Anti-Infective Therapeutics”, Center for Scientific Review (NIH/CSR), 2014
  32. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, ZAT1 SM (29) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Special Emphasis Panel Natural products RFA (RFA-AT-11-011: Mechanistic Research on CAM Natural Products R01), 2013
  33. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, ZAT-1 PK-24 Education Panel, NIH/NCCAM, 2012
  34. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, ZAT-1 PK-23 Education Panel, NIH/NCCAM, 2012
  35. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, ZAT-1 PK-21 Education Panel, NIH/NCCAM, 2012
  36. National Institutes of Health, Ad hoc reviewer, ZAT-1 PK-20 Education Panel, NIH/NCCAM, 2011
  37. National Institutes of Health,  Ad hoc reviewer, ZAT1 PK-19 Education Panel, National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NIH/NCCAM), 2011

 

External Grant Reviews: Other National and International

  1. Review Panel Chair. (Renewed for second term as panel chair) Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO) Expert Review Panel, Brussels, Belgium: Med1 (Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medical Biochemistry) Project panel, 3 year appointment, 2021-2024
  2. COVID-19 panel, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO) Expert Review Panel, Brussels, Belgium, Ad hoc reviewer, 10/2020
  3. The National Research Foundation (NRF), Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore. Ad hoc reviewer. 01/2020
  4. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowships Proposal, Ad hoc reviewer. 08/2019
  5. Botany in Action Fellowship Program, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 3/2019
  6. Review Panel Chair. Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO) Expert Review Panel, Brussels, Belgium: Med1 (Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medical Biochemistry) Project panel, 3 year appointment, 2019-2021
  7. Medical Research Council (MRC – United Kingdom), Ad hoc reviewer, UK-China AMR Centre Partnerships 2018,  8/2018
  8. Botany in Action Fellowship Program, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ad hoc reviewer, 2/28/2018.
  9. Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Belgium, Ad hoc reviewer,  9/2017
  10. The Indonesian Science Fund (DIPI), Ad hoc reviewer, 9/27/2016
  11. Research and Exploration Program, Ad hoc reviewer, National Geographic, 2013
  12. Indonesia Biological Sciences Research Grant Program, CRDF Global, Ad hoc reviewer, 2013

 

Institutional Grant Reviews

  1. Emory School of Medicine Bridge Funding Program, Emory University, 2020
  2. University Research Council (URC) Biological & Health Sciences Sub-Committee, Emory University, 2015, 2020