University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Plant PathologyMorrison Center
Lincoln, NE 68583-0900
(402)-472-5776
Research Professor
Dr Dunigan's research focuses on host-virus interactions, especially as it relates to the consequences of infection. For the past several years he has studied the chloroviruses, which are evolutionarily related to other large DNA viruses, such as asfar, asco, irido, marseille, mimi and pox viruses; collectively known as “giant viruses”. He is investigating many aspects of chloroviruses including the virion structure and function; genome structure, function and evolution; metabolic changes associated with infections, as well as the role of algal viruses in aquatic ecosystems. His team collaborates with a team of researchers at the Johns Hopkins University regarding the extraordinary observation they made when evaluating post mortem brains from individuals with serious mental disorders: individuals with psychiatric disorders tend to have chlorovirus sequences in the brain. Our role has been to evaluate the natural history to address the issue of the likelihood of humans coming into contact with chloroviruses. In addition to defining the hosts in aquatic systems, we are evaluating a key issue to this linkage, can chloroviruses replicate in mammalian cells and/or tissues and what are the neurological consequences of these infections.
Education
| 1985 - 1988 |
Postdoctoral Fellow, Virology - Cornell University |
| 1985 |
Ph.D.,Biochemistry - The University of Connecticut |
| 1977 |
B.S.,Life Science/Chemistry - University of Southern Indiana |
Professsional Experience
| 2014 - Present |
Research Professor, Department of Plant Pathology University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| 2008 – 2014 |
Research Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| 2000 – 2008 |
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| 1996 - 2000 |
Visiting Assistant, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida |
| 1989 – 1996 |
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Florida |
| 1985 – 1989 |
Postdoctoral Associate/Research Associate, Postdoctoral Fellow of the Cornell Biotechnology Program |
| 1978 – 1985 |
Research Assistant I/II, Section of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Connecticut |
Professional Affiliations
| American Society for Virology |
| American Society for Microbiology |
| Sigma Xi |
| American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| Nebraska Center for Virology |
Research Publication
| PubMed |
Courses Taught
| Undergraduate |
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| Graduate |
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