Student projects

Below is a list of research projects presented by undergraduate students at various conferences. † indicates student author; * indicates award received; IMSD indicates research funded by NIH IMSD program; Bridges indicates research funded by NIH Bridges to Baccalaureate program.

Mohammed Bourenane^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2024) First report of blaKPC-3 carbapenemase gene, conferring resistance to last resort antibiotics, in Aeromonas hydrophila. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Angela Castillon^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2024) Environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae carries broadly disseminated transposon carrying harboring resistance genes to beta-lactam antibiotics. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Award in category Physiology and Pharmacology.

Jacy J. Reyes ^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2024) Escherichia coli reveals the cointegration of two plasmids through replicative transposition. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Geoffrey Ortega ^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2024) IS26 mobile genetic element targets a conjugative cryptic plasmid and forms a cointegrate with a multidrug resistant plasmid. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Noah Ramos^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Environmental Enterococcus faecalis Carries Plasmid with Large Multidrug Resistance Area due to Horizontal Gene Transfer. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona. *Award in category Cell Biology.

Isaak A. Duran^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) First Report of Folate Pathway Antagonist Trimethoprim Resistance dfrA22 gene in an Environmental Klebsiella variicola. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona. *Award in category Chemistry.

Oluwadara R. Ogundiwin^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) First Report of a Chromosomal Unit Transposon in Environmental Aeromonas Conferring Resistance to the Last Resort Antibiotic- Carbapenems. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona. Award in category Microbiology.

Charli M. Taylor^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Multidrug resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis BA5 shares methicillin resistance mecA gene with other Staphylococci. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona.

Daniel Robles^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Evolution of a novel unit transposon harboring a multidrug resistance integron in an environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona.

Jacy J. Reyes^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) First Environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae Reported in the US Containing Mobilizable Gene Conferring Resistance to Last Resort Beta-Lactams. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona.

Dana Mejia^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Novel SCCmec Genomic Island Cluster Found in a Multidrug resistant Environmental Staphylococcus epidermidis. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona.

Dana Mejia^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Novel SCCmec Genomic Island Cluster Found in a Multidrug-Resistant Environmental Staphylococcus epidermidis. Poster. Sigma Xi IFoRE Conference. Long Beach, California.

Isabel Suarez^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Novel multidrug resistance region in E. coli evolved from multiple transposable elements. Oral presentation. International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. 8th annual meeting, Irvine, California.

Dana Mejia^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae carries a novel multidrug resistance region that evolved from the mobilization of transposons. Poster. International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. 8th annual meeting, Irvine, California.

A.A. Snead, A. Tatarenkov, D.S. Taylor, B.J. Turner, R.L. Earley (2023) Out to sea: Ocean currents and patterns of asymmetric gene flow in an intertidal fish species. Oral presentation. Ecological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon.

Isabel Suarez^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Novel Multidrug Resistance Region in E. coli formed by multiple transposable elements. Poster. 2023 AAAS Annual Meeting, Washington, DC. *1^st place in category Medicine and Public Health.

Isabel Vargas^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) IS26 within Environmental Citrobacter freundii Plasmid Mobilizes Multidrug Resistance Region. Poster. AAAS Annual Meeting, Washington, DC. *1^st place in category Environment and Ecology.

Cierra Ord^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) Environmental Escherichia coli Harbors Atypical Class 1 Integron Encoding dfrA5 Gene. Poster. AAAS Annual Meeting, Washington, DC. *1^st place in category Cell Biology.

Marian Khalil^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) ꞵ-Lactam DHA-1 Resistance Gene discovery in a Klebsiella variicola from the USA. Poster. AAAS Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

Sophia Aredas^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2023) First US Report of Environmental Escherichia coli carrying tetM. Poster. AAAS Annual Meeting, Washington, DC. *Honorable mention in category Developmental Biology Genetics and Immunology.

Cierra Ord^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Environmental Escherichia coli Carries Atypical Class 1 Integron Encoding dfrA5 Gene in Multidrug Resistant Region. Poster. Sigma Xi IFoRE Conference. Alexandria, Virginia.

Isabel Vargas^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Unique Multi-Drug Resistant Region Mobilized by an IS26 Composite Transposon within Environmental Citrobacter freundii Plasmid. Poster. Sigma Xi IFoRE Conference. Alexandria, Virginia.

Sophia Aredas^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Environmental Escherichia coli carrying tetM gene commonly found in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Poster. SACNAS national conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Cristabel Portillo^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Phylogenetic analysis of chloramphenicol resistance catA2 gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae shows mobilization from Morganella morganii.Poster. SACNAS national conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Celeste Sanchez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Environmental Escherichia coli ST131 Carries Conjugative Plasmid With Multi-Drug Resistance Region. Poster. SACNAS national conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Isabel Vargas^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Unique Multi-Drug Resistant Region Mobilized by an IS26 Composite Transposon within Environmental Citrobacter freundii Plasmid. Poster. SACNAS national conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Cierra Ord^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Environmental Escherichia coli Carries Atypical Class 1 Integron Encoding dfrA5 Gene in Multidrug Resistant Region. Oral presentation. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Anaheim, California. *Award in category Microbiology.

Dana Mejia^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae Carries a Novel Composite Transposon Encompassing Multidrug Resistance Region. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Anaheim, California. *Award in category Public Health.

Marian Khalil^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) First Report of a Klebsiella variicola Containing a β-Lactam DHA-1 Resistant Gene in the USA. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Anaheim, California. *Award in category Physiology and Pharmacology.

Isabel Suarez^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Novel Multidrug Resistant Region of Environmental Escherichia coli is Composed of Multiple Transposable Elements. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Anaheim, California.

Germaine Mendez^†, A. Tatarenkov, M. de la Cruz, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Novel Multidrug Resistance Transposon carrying Integron Found in an IncF Plasmid from an Environmental Citrobacter freundii. Poster. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Anaheim, California.

Marize Rizkalla^†, A. Tatarenkov, A. Garenaux, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Evolutionary history of Escherichia coli ST38: a multidrug resistant and virulent isolate. E-poster. AAAS Virtual Annual Meeting. *1^st place in category Medicine and Public Health.

Felix A. Argueta^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2022) Multiple copies of a qnrB19 gene are carried by tandem repeats of an IS26 transposon. E-poster. AAAS Virtual Annual Meeting.

Marize Rizkalla^†, A. Tatarenkov, A. Garenaux, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) Evolutionary history of Escherichia coli ST38: a multidrug resistant and virulent isolate. Sigma-Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference. Virtual.

Felix A. Argueta^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) Multiple copies of a qnrB19 gene are carried by tandem repeats of an IS26 transposon. Sigma-Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference. Virtual.

Alejandra Reyes^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) Conjugative plasmid carrying unique region encoding five antibiotic resistance genes found in an environmental Escherichia coli. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in category Physiology and Pharmacology.

Arturo Salazar^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) Thirteen antibiotic resistance genes found on a unique plasmid region in an Escherichia coli from the Hudson River in New York. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in category Microbiology.

Celeste Sanchez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) Environmental Escherichia coli ST131 harbors conjugative plasmid carrying nine antibiotic resistance genes. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in category Developmental Biology and Genetics.

Cristabel Portillo^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) Evolutionary history of chloramphenicol-resistance catA2 gene in an environmental Klebsiella pneumonia. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in category Developmental Biology and Genetics.

Delice F. Katula^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) A novel region with five antibiotic resistance genes in a Tn3 transposon and IS26 insertion sequence found  in an environmental Escherichia coli in the USA. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in category Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Isabel Vargas^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) IS26 composite transposon is responsible for the mobilization of a multidrug resistant region in an environmental Citrobacter freundii plasmid. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in category Cell Biology.

Sophia Aredas^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) First U.S. report of environmental Escherichia coli carrying tetM gene commonly found in Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in category Cell Biology.

Cierra Ord^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) Atypical class 1 integron harboring dfra5 gene in multidrug resistant environmental Escherichia coli. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference.

Edward Oropeza^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2021) First report of blaLAP gene encoding for resistance to penicillins in Klebsiella pneumoniae in the USA. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference.

Alyza Roman^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) First report of an ST26 IncI1 plasmid to carry the β-lactam resistance gene blaCMY-2. Presented at 2020 Sigma-Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference. Virtual. *Award in Environmental Sciences.

Felix A. Argueta^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) Plasmid found in a wild bird from New York City carries virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Oral presentation. Presented at 2020 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.

Luis Escalante^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) Multidrug resistant plasmid containing a class 1 integron found in an environmental Citrobacter freundii. Oral presentation. Presented at 2020 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in Computational and Systems Biology.

Megan Garcia^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) Novel multidrug resistance region formed by multiple gene mobilizations on an IncR plasmid. E-poster. Presented at 2020 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference. *Award in Developmental Biology and Genetics.

Abril Islas^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020 Multidrug environmental Escherichia fergusonii with a sul3-associated class 1 integron. E-poster. Presented at 2020 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Virtual conference.

Sheila Gonzalez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) First report of trimethoprim resistance dfrA8 gene in environmental isolate of Klebsiella variicola. E-poster. Presented at 2020 SACNAS National Virtual Conference.

Stephanie Harchencko^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) Antibiotic resistant gene blaCARB-2 is in a multidrug resistance region in an environmental Escherichia coli. E-poster. Presented at 2020 SACNAS National Virtual Conference.

Katie Ann Huy^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) Multidrug resistance island on environmentally isolated Escherichia coli ST117. E-poster. Presented at 2020 SACNAS National Virtual Conference.

Iris Molina^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) First report of plasmid-borne dfrA14 trimethoprim resistance gene in Klebsiella oxytoca. E-poster. Presented at 2020 SACNAS National Virtual Conference.

Camryn Zunita^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo (2020) A novel region of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic Escherichia coli isolate confers resistance to six antibiotic classes. E-poster. Presented at 2020 SACNAS National Virtual Conference.

K. Barragan^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) Mobilization of antibiotic resistance genes on a plasmid of environmental bacterium Citrobacter freundii. Poster. Presented at 2018 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Indianapolis, Indiana. *Award in Systems Biology.

C. Checkcinco^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) Mobile class 1 integron containing antibiotic resistant genes is newly described in environmental Enterobacter kobei. Poster. Presented at 2018 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Indianapolis, Indiana. *Award in Physiology.

J. Galicia^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) First record of trimethoprim resistance drfA21 gene in Kluyvera genus. Poster. Presented at 2018 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Indianapolis, Indiana.

S. Singh^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) Complete sequence of an Escherichia coli IncF plasmid showing mobilization of blaCMY-2 gene by IS1294 transposase. Poster. Presented at 2018 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Indianapolis, Indiana. *Award in Evolution and Developmental Biology.

J. Villagrana^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) Escherichia coli from natural environment carries novel multidrug-resistant region formed by transposition. Poster. Presented at 2018 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Indianapolis, Indiana. *Award in Cell Biology.

E. Zarate-Sanchez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) New multidrug-resistant region in Klebsiella oxytoca from the natural environment. Poster. Presented at 2018 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Indianapolis, Indiana. *Award in Public Health.

S. Adegbite^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) Widespread blaTEM-1B locus within flexible multidrug resistance region in an environmental Escherichia coli. E-poster. Presented at 2018 AAAS Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas. *Honorable mention in category Cellular and Molecular Biology.

E. E. Bryant^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2018) A multiresistance region including extended spectrum β-lactamase antibiotic resistance genes in an Escherichia coli collected from an aquatic environment. E-poster. Presented at 2018 AAAS Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas. *Honorable mention in category Developmental Biology, Physiology and Immunology.

O. S. Adegbite^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2017) Mosaic multidrug resistant region on plasmid from environmental Escherichia coli. Poster. Presented at 2017 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona.

E. E. Bryant^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2017) Environmental Escherichia coli carries extended spectrum beta-lactamase antibiotic resistance genes. Poster. Presented at 2017 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona. *Award in Physiology.

A. Sanchez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2017) Discovery and evolutionary trajectory of a multidrug resistant, blaCTX-M-14 harboring plasmid in Escherichia coli from environment. Poster. Presented at 2017 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, Arizona. *Award in Computational and Systems Biology.

C. R. Borba^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2016) Twelve antibiotic resistance genes found in Raoultella ornithinolytica. Poster. Presented at 2016 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Tampa, Florida. *Award in Microbiology.

E. Medina^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2016) The genetic environment of extended spectrum β-lactamase blaCTX-M-3 in the plasmid of a Klebsiella pneumoniae. Poster. Presented at 2016 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Tampa, Florida.

J. Munoz^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2016) Conjugative plasmid from environmental E. coli carries a cassette-independent trimethoprim-resistant dfrA gene. Poster. Presented at 2016 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Tampa, Florida. * Award in Genetics.

J. A. Oliver^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2016) Genomic characterization of a class II integron from an environmental Escherichia coli. Poster. Presented at 2016 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Tampa, Florida. *Award in Cell Biology.

O. S. Ortega^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2016) Antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing environmental Escherichia coli Isolate. Poster. Presented at 2016 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Tampa, Florida.

P. L. I. Santibanez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2016) Role of mobile genetic elements in disseminating resistance to chloramphenicol in environmental Escherichia coli. Poster. Presented at 2016 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Tampa, Florida.

C. A. Vasquez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2016) The beta-lactamase DHA-1 gene found in a novel IS26 transposase carried by an incF incompatibility group plasmid in an environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae. Poster. Presented at 2016 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Tampa, Florida. *Award in Bioinformatics.

C.I. Rodriguez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2016) Multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 258 producing KPC-2 carbapenamase. Poster. Presented at 2016 AAAS Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. *Honorable mention in category Medicine and Public Health.

A. Thind^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2016) Novel IncX5 plasmid in environmental Enterobacter asburiae. Poster. Presented at 2016 AAAS Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

R. Pena^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2015) Chloramphenicol resistance in environmental Escherichia coli. Poster. Presented at 2015 Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research (SCCUR), Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California.

I. Abaeze^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2015) Pathogenic pap genes in Escherichia coli collected from aquatic environments. Poster. Presented at 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Seattle, Washington.

F. Ali^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2015) Virulence genes encoding iron uptake mechanism in Escherichia coli from aquatic environments. Poster. Presented at 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Seattle, Washington.

G. Chavez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2015) The prevalence of fimH in Escherichia coli isolated from the environment. Poster. Presented at 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Seattle, Washington. *Award in Microbiology.

R. Pena^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2015) Chloramphenicol resistance in environmental Escherichia coli. Poster. Presented at 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Seattle, Washington. *Award in Physiology.

C.I. Rodriguez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2015) Antibiotic resistant genes in carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.  Poster. Presented at 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Seattle, Washington. *Award in Public Health.

A. Thind^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2015) New conjugative plasmid in environmental Enterobacter asburiae is similar to carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Poster. Presented at 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Seattle, Washington.

P. San Juan^†, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges, A. Tatarenkov (2015) Antibiotic-resistant genes in integrons from environmental Enterobacteriaceae. Poster. Presented at 2015 SACNAS national conference, Washington, DC. *Award in Evolution/Ecology.

J. K. Peña^†, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD, A. Tatarenkov (2015) Genetic characterization of integrons from environmental Aeromonas bacteria. Poster. Presented at 2015 SACNAS national conference, Washington, DC.

H.F. Sanchez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2015) Novel ampC beta-lactamase genes from Morganella morganii. Poster. Presented at 2015 AAAS Annual Meeting, San Jose, California. *Honorable mention in category Environment and Ecology.

C.A. Herrera^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2015) Beta-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli from aquatic environments. Poster. Presented at 2015 AAAS Annual Meeting, San Jose, California.

J.K. Peña^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2015) Integrons from Aeromonas bacteria collected from streams and beaches. Poster. Presented at 2015 AAAS Annual Meeting, San Jose, California.

V.A. Resendez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2015) Genes conferring resistance to beta-lactams in Pseudomonas spp. from natural environments. Poster. Presented at 2015 AAAS Annual Meeting, San Jose, California.

P. San Juan^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2015) Integrons in Enterobacteriaceae from surface waters. Poster. Presented at 2015 AAAS Annual Meeting, San Jose, California.

J.P. Sedaros^†, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD, A. Tatarenkov (2015) Genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides in Aeromonas from natural habitats. Poster. Presented at 2015 AAAS Annual Meeting, San Jose, California.

P. San Juan^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2014) Characterization of integrons present in environmental Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Poster. Presented at 2014 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas. *Award in Molecular and Computational Biology.

J.K. Peña^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Characterization of integrons from Aeromonas bacteria collected from streams and beaches. Poster. Presented at 2014 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas. *Award in Developmental Biology and Genetics.

J.P. Sedaros^†, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD, A. Tatarenkov (2014) Aminoglycoside resistant genes in Aeromonas from natural habitats in Southern California. Poster. Presented at 2014 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas.

V.A. Resendez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Characterization of Beta-lactamases in Pseudomonas species obtained from natural environments. Poster. Presented at 2014 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas.

A.R. Bechay^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2014) Chloramphenicol resistance genes in environmental Escherichia coli. Poster. Presented at 2014 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas.

H.F. Sanchez^†, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD, A. Tatarenkov (2014) Novel ampC Beta-lactamase gene from Morganella morganii. Poster. Presented at 2014 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas.

C.A. Herrera^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) The identification and frequency of Beta-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli from aquatic environments. Poster. Presented at 2014 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Antonio, Texas.

M. Emami^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Analysis of antibiotic resistance genes, blaZ and mecA, in non-clinical samples of Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2014 SACNAS national conference, Los Angeles, California. *Award in Microbiology.

M. Zuniga^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) MLS_B antibiotic resistant genes encoding for antibiotic-inactivating enzymes are found in environmental Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2014 SACNAS national conference, Los Angeles, California.

R. Flores^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Pattern of resistance and variability of tetracycline antibiotic resistance genes in Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2014 AAAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois. *Winner in category Environment and Ecology.

M. Emami^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Patterns of variation of antibiotic resistance Genes, blaZ and mecA, in non-clinical samples of Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2014 AAAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

M. Gomez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Prevalence and genetic variation of erm genes in Staphylococci isolates of human and environmental origin. Poster. Presented at 2014 AAAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

A. Lopez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Multiple antibiotic-resistant integrons found in environmental bacteria. Poster. Presented at 2014 AAAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

J. Magallon^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2014) Characterization of antibiotic resistance genes encoding ATP-binding transporters in environmental samples Staphylococcus spp. Poster. Presented at 2014 AAAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

M. Zuniga^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2014) Antibiotic resistance genes encoding for MLS_B-inactivating enzymes in Staphylococcus spp. are found in beaches and streams. Poster. Presented at 2014 AAAS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.

M. Emami^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2013) Comparative analysis of antibiotic resistance genes, blaZ and mecA, in environmental and human samples of Staphylococcus spp. Poster. Presented at 2013 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nashville, Tennessee. *Award in Developmental Biology and Genetics.

M. Gomez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2013) Detection, characterization, and genetic variation of erm genes in environmental Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2013 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nashville, Tennessee.

A. Lopez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2013) Integron composition and distribution among environmental Gram-negative bacteria. Poster. Presented at 2013 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nashville, Tennessee.

J. Magallon^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2013) Frequency, variation, and distribution of ATP-binding transporter genes conferring antibiotic resistance to environmental Staphylococcus spp. Poster. Presented at 2013 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nashville, Tennessee.

M. Zuniga^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2013) Evolution, distribution, and variation of macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin_b antibiotic resistance genes encoding for antibiotic-inactivating enzymes in Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2013 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Nashville, Tennessee. *Award in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health.

J. A. Ayala Salazar^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2013) Frequencies and characterizations of β-Lactamase-encoding genes found in free-living E. coli. Poster. Presented at 2013 AAAS Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.

E. Raimundo^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2013) Study of variation and evolution of erm genes conferring resistance to erythromycin in Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2013 AAAS Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.

J. A. Ayala Salazar^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2012) Incidence, variation, and phylogenetic relationships of β-lactam resistance genes from environmental populations of Escherichia coli. Poster. Presented at 2012 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Jose, CA.

A. Gomez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2012) High genetic variation in ampC antibiotic resistance gene in environmental samples of E. coli and its implications. Poster. Presented at 2012 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Jose, CA. *Award in Developmental Biology & Genetics.

E. Raimundo^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2012) Distribution, variation and evolution of antibiotic resistance erm genes in Staphylococcus. Poster. Presented at 2012 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Jose, CA.

N. Sosa^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^IMSD (2012) Variability and prevalence of integrons that confer antibiotic resistance to environmental E. coli. Poster. Presented at 2012 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Jose, CA. *Award in Microbiology.

P. Hernandez^†, A. Tatarenkov, L. Mota-Bravo^Bridges (2012) Frequency of tetracycline resistance in Escherichia coli isolated in Southern California and phylogenetic relationship amongst tetracycline resistance genes. Oral. Presented at 2012 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), San Jose, CA.