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Speaker Bio: Michael Schmidt
 Michael Schmidt, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina
Michael G. Schmidt, Ph.D., joined the Medical University of South Carolina in April of 1989 after an NCI post-doctoral training fellowship at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is presently Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology with research interests in bacterial protein export, molecular pathogenesis, biodefense preparedness, biofilm development and succession and environmental microbiology.
For a number of years Dr. Schmidt and his group at MUSC have studied the mechanisms of protein localization in prokaryotes, specifically in the Gram negative bacterium Escherichia coli and more recently the Gram positive pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The second research thrust centers around the development of a biotreatment system to degrade airborne organic wastes, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in high volume and dilute vapor organic waste streams employing microorganisms. This project is a collaborative effort with Dr. Charles H. Gooding, Professor and Chairman of Chemical Engineering at Clemson University and Envirogen Incorporated of New Jersey. The goal of the interdisciplinary team is to develop an economically competitive solution for the remediation of high volume, dilute vapor waste streams containing volatile organic compounds. Numerous ground water sites within the United States are contaminated with such materials and it is hoped that the outcome of this project will deliver and turnkey solution for the cleanup of contaminated ground waters as well as vapor streams. His third research interest developed as an out growth of the development of the bioreactor with the realization that an active biofilm was paramount to the efficiency and economic viability of the reactor design. Consequently, his laboratory acquired expertise in the molecular characterization of complex biofilms, principally, those associated with the integrated membrane bioreactor and those associated with other mixed microbial communities including those with medical significance.
Recent work has focused on the relationship between the population distribution of an individual's gut flora and the genesis of colorectal cancer. It is anticipated that the results associated with this work will be the implementation of a rapid molecular diagnostic test that should allow the assessment of the likelihood of an individual's normal intestinal flora predisposing them to development of colorectal cancer. Another area of active investigation is the use of bacteriophage for the treatment of antimicrobial infections. This project is a collaborative effort with Dr. James S. Norris, Professor and Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology also of the Medical University of South Carolina and HEXAL-GENTECH of Germany. The goal of this interdisciplinary team is to advance the development of the core technologies associated with a Lethal Agent Delivery System (LADS) that was initiated as a joint effort between MUSC and HEXAL-GENTECH. Work here concentrated on using a non-exponential approach to affect the elimination of a systemic infection. The team has achieved proof of concept and is currently adapting the system to work against microbes anticipated in a bioterror attack.
Biodefense preparedness has been an interest of Dr. Schmidt's for over ten years. His interest in this area started during the development of the Lethal Agent Delivery System (LADS). The original intent of LADS was for the treatment of individuals overtly exposed to anthrax. LADS was intended as an alternative treatment modality to the prophylactic administration of antibiotics for exposed individuals. It was anticipated that the administration of a phage based therapeutic to a large number of exposed people would have fewer long term consequences than the wholesale administration of antibiotics. As such this work provided him a unique perspective from which he was able to create a series of training modules associated with the topics of bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases as well how best to prepare for the unthinkable. He has contributed this expertise to a project sponsored by HRSA where the South Area Health Education Consortium has been addressing the training needs of practicing healthcare professionals for bioterrorism and public health emergency event recognition and response.
Dr. Schmidt is also the principal investigator of the Sustainable Universities Initiative for the Medical University of South Carolina. He along with Dr. Bruce Coull of the University of South Carolina and Dr. Alan Elzerman of Clemson University direct this inter-institutional program project. The goal of this project is to educate students for a complex future and to provide models for sustainable design and operations within each institution. Those who speak of sustainable development generally cite the definition developed by the Brundtland Commission in 1987: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Environmental protection, economic stability and social equity--often called "the three E's"--are inextricably linked and provide the basis for sustainable development. The project hopes to create an environment in which the stakeholder communities (faculty, staff, students and operations) of the Universities will understand the interactions among the three E's in order to thrive in the complex world in which we live. The 1994 National Science and Technology Council report "Education for Sustainability" notes that "systems approaches are essential if we are to attain sustainable development . . . Thinking that synthesizes and evaluates linkages among disciplines is needed if we are to understand the global implications of environmental and economic decisions." The Sustainable Universities Initiative is funded by a private foundation and with their help they hope to make integrated, systems thinking automatic for faculty and students, producing a more knowledgeable citizenry, capable of making informed choices and solving problems creatively.
Dr. Schmidt is presently chairing the institution's efforts in developing a strategy for the deployment of Podcasts, Enhanced Podcasts and Vodcasts within the curriculum. MUSC has recently joined the iTunes University family and the University is looking forward to the enhanced learning opportunities for its students afforded by this technology.
Dr. Schmidt is a member of the Communications Committee for the American Society for Microbiology, co-chaired the society's career's poster development and lead a committee that facilitated the redesign of its lay website, Microbeworld.org. He has led numerous, national workshops on the use of computers for instruction in medicine and microbiology and infectious diseases and has been a panelist on Science Friday broadcasted by National Public Radio.
Finally in his role as Chairman of the University Biosafety Committee, he has served as spokesperson for the University and a resource for the radio, television and print media on issues associated with bioterrorism, avian flu and preparing for pandemic influenza. He believes that accurate and effective communication with the public is a vital step in preparing for bioterrorism.
Go to sessions for Day 1: Friday, September 29, 2006
Go to sessions for Day 2: Saturday, September 30, 2006
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