Rebecca Steidl, PhD
Associate Professor
(515) 643-6770
Rebecca.Steidl@MCHS.edu

Office Location
ACE - 219

Mailing Address

Mercy College of Health Sciences
928 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309-1239

Year Started at Mercy College: 2017

  • Department: Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS), Public Health

Education

  • PhD, Microbiology, Michigan State University (2015)
  • MS, Biology, Illinois State University (2007)
  • BS, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Illinois State University (2004)

Courses Regularly Taught

  • BIO 102 General Biology II (with lab)
  • BIO 130 Principles of Microbiology (with lab)
  • BIO 203 Microbiology (with lab)
  • BIO 320 Genetics (with lab)
  • BIO 400 Pathogenic Microbiology (with lab)

Research Interests and Professional Projects

  • I am currently working on a the identification of genes associated with nickel defense in Bacillus subtilis in collaboration with Dr. Lee Macomber, Central College
  • Dissertation: Hopping along the way: Genetic analysis of pili-mediated charge transport in Geobacter sulfurreducens
  • Master’s Thesis: Construction of LacZ fusion strains of Staphylococcus aureus for the use in high throughput screening for new antibiotics.BIO-130 Principles of Microbiology

Recent Publications and Presentations

  • Publications
    • Corbella, C., Steidl, R. J., Puigagut, J., Reguera, G. (2017) Electrochemical characterization of Geobacter lovleyi identifies limitations of microbial fuel cell performance in constructed wetlands. Intl. Micro. 20(2):55-64.
    • Cosert, K. M., Steidl, R. J., Castro-Forero, A., Worden, R. M., Reguera, G. (2017) Electronic characterization of Geobacter sulfurreducens pilins in self-assembled monolayers unmasks tunnelling and hopping conduction pathways. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 19, 11163-11172.
    • Steidl, R. J., Awate, B., Hamlischer, T., Reguera, G. (2017) Stimulation of electro-fermentation in single-chamber microbial electrolysis cells driven by genetically engineered anode biofilms. J. Power Sources 356:510-8.
    • Steidl, R. J., Lampa-Pastrik, S., Reguera, G. (2016) Mechanistic stratification in electroactive biofilms of Geobacter sulfurreducens mediated by pilus nanowires. Nat Comm. 7 (12217).
    • Lampa-Pastirk, S., Veazey, J., Walsh, K., Steidl, R. J., Tessmer, S., and Reguera, G. (2016) Thermally activated charge transport in microbial protein nanowires. Sci. Rep. 6 (23517).
    • Feliciano, G. T., Steidl, R. J. Reguera, G. (2015) Structural and functional insights into the conductive pili of Geobacter sulfurreducens revealed in molecular dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 17(34), 22217-26.
  • Patents
    • Reguera, G., D. L. Cologgi, R. M. Worden, A. Castro Forero, R. Steidl (Mar. 21, 2017) Microbial Nanowires and Methods of Making and Using. U.S. Patent 9,601,227.
    • Reguera, G., R. Steidl (Sep 30, 2014) Microbial nanowires. U.S. Patent 8,846,890.
  • Presentations
    • Steidl, R. J., “Microbes, Metals, and Nanowires: Development of Microbes for Commercial Applications.” Andrews University. (Oct. 24 2016).
    • Steidl, R. J., “Hopping along the way: Genetic analysis of pili-mediated charge transport in Geobacter sulfurreducens.” Michigan State University. (Dissertation Seminar; August 14, 2015).
    • Steidl, R. J., “Genetic analyses of Geobacter sulfurreducens pilus nanowires in electroactive biofilms.” Michigan State University. (Awards Seminar; April 22, 2014).
    • Steidl, R.J., Lampa-Pastirk, S. and Reguera, G. “Wiring Electroactive Biofilms with Pilus Nanowires.” Michigan State University (General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Denver, CO, 2013).

Professional Memberships

  • American Society of Microbiology (ASM)

Professional Memberships

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“Today we have to accept the reality that death from tuberculosis is caused by human-built systems; by human choice. We are currently choosing a world where 1.6 million people die from tuberculosis.” ~ John Greene

“Behind every late diagnosed woman is a little girl who knew this world was never made for her but could never explain why.” ~ Jessica Jocelyn

“Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.” ~ Blanche Balain