Professor of Biology
Chair of the Dept. of Biomedical Sciences
Office: Arnett Hall 208C
Phone: (304) 336-8284
E-Mail: joseph.horzempa@westliberty.edu
Address:
West Liberty University
208 University Drive
College Union Box 139
West Liberty, WV 26074
Degrees:
- B.S. Biology – California University of Pennsylvania, 2000
- M.S. Biology – California University of Pennsylvania, 2002
- Ph.D. Biology – Duquesne University, 2006
- Postdoctoral – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2006-2011
Courses:
- BIO 124 – Biological Principles
- BIO 216 – Microbiology for Healthcare Professional
- BIO 220 – Scientific Methodologies
- BIO 325 – General Microbiology
- BIO 461 – Molecular Biology Laboratory
- BIO 462/562 – Microbial Pathogenesis
- BIO 472/572 – Cell Biology
- BIO 478 – Special Topics – Fluorescence Microscopy
- BIO 478 – Special Topics – Scientific Manuscript Writing
- BIO 510 – Research Skills
- BIO 525 – Graduate Seminar
- PA 504 – Research I
- PA 505 – Research II
Current Research Projects:
I am interested in investigating erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis. My laboratory also explores natural products with the goal of identifying new antibiotics and immunostimulatory compounds.
Publications:
Access the most up-to-date list at
Grants:
Active
The mechanism and role of erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis 1 R15HL147135-02 $421,500 8/18/2023 – 7/31/2026
WV-INBRE HSTA Program
$18,996.00
8/1/2023 – 7/31/2024
Completed
Bacterial and host factors mediating red blood cell invasion by Francisella tularensis
1 R15 HL147135-01
$418,790
5/1/19 – 4/30/22
Faculty Research Development Award, WV-INBRE
Evaluation of the toxicity of dillapiole, a novel anti-virulence compound
$42,150
2022-2023
West Virginia INBRE
WV-NASA Space Grant Consortium – EPSCoR
The effect of low oxygen on global gene transcription of ESKAPE pathogens
$10,000
5/1/22 – 4/30/23
Chronic Disease Research Program Grant, WV-INBRE $84,300
2020-2022
West Virginia INBRE
Center for Natural Products Research, WV-INBRE – $42,150
2019-2021
West Virginia INBRE
Arnett Hall Renovation Grant
WV-INBRE
$250,000
11/1/19 – 10/31/20
WV-INBRE Major Primarily Undergraduate Institution Research Grant
$351,250
2017-2019
West Virginia INBRE
Description: This grant funds investigations to identify molecular mediators of erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis – a bioterror bacterium. These funds provide stipends to numerous undergraduate student scientists, a post-doctoral researcher, and allows for the purchase of lab supplies to carry out the proposed investigations.
Master Consulting Services Agreement – $24,587.50
2017
Southern Research
Description: This provides funds to characterize novel insect models of infection to develop better, more efficient ways to discover antibiotics. These funds pay stipends to two undergraduate researchers and allow for the purchase of supplies to investigate these animal models.
Topper SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research experience) – $129,900.00
2017-2019
West Virginia EPSCoR
Description: The purpose of this grant is to provide and generate a community of learning for West Liberty University Biology and Chemistry majors. Monies ascertained were used to provide summer research stipends to 33 WLU science students.
Center for Natural Products Research, WV-INBRE – $42,150
2017-2018
West Virginia INBRE
Description: This grant allows West Liberty researchers to investigate a novel immunostimulatory compounds that may have potential for use as a therapeutic against infectious diseases. This grant will also allow West Liberty Undergraduates to travel to the FDA (Washington, DC) to conduct a portion of this research. Moreover, this grant provides stipends for two undergraduate researchers.
WV-INBRE Center for Natural Products Grant 08/1/2016 – 07/31/2017
Investigation of aloe emodin and other novel antibiotics from natural products
Role: Principal Investigator (PI) $30,000 (direct costs)
WV-NASA Space Grant Consortium 5/16 – 5/17
NASA West Virginia EPSCOR $20,000 (direct costs)
College University Collaboration Program
Genetic engineering of Francisella tularensis LVS for use as a novel live vaccine platform
Role: PI
WV-INBRE (NIH) 9/14 – 8/17
Major PUI grant $375,000 (direct costs)
Francisella tularensis types I and Vl secretion systems in erythrocyte invasion
Role: PI
WV-EPSCoR 01/01/2017 – 12/31/2020
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience $129,900 (direct costs)
Training Opportunity for Pre-Professionals, Educators, and Researchers in undergraduate STEM investigations — “TOPPER”
Role: PI
WV-EPSCoR 01/01/2014 – 12/31/2016
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience $156,000 (direct costs)
Training Opportunity for Pre-Professionals, Educators, and Researchers in undergraduate STEM investigations — “TOPPER”
Role: PI
WV-INBRE Center for Natural Products Grant 08/1/2015 – 07/31/2016
Characterization and discovery of novel antibiotics from natural products
Role: PI $30,000 (direct costs)
WV-INBRE Equipment Grant 03/2016 – 07/31/2016
Role: PI $49,550.45
WV-INBRE Center for Natural Products Grant 01/15/2014 – 07/31/2015
Modification of resazurin to increase in vivo efficacy as an antibiotic therapy
Role: Co-PI $25,000 (direct costs)
1K22AI087703-01A1 (NIAID) 07/01/2012 – 06/30/2015
Francisella tularensis invasion of human erythrocytes $250,000 (direct costs)
Role: Principal Investigator
WL Faculty Development Grant 10/14-5/15
The temperature-dependent uptake of gentamicin into Francisella tularensis.
Role: PI $1,400
WV-INBRE 7/2014
Equipment grant $66,420
Role: PI
NASA 05/01/2013 – 4/30/2014
West Virginia Space Grant Consortium $30,000
The use of genetically modified Francisella tularensis as a novel live vaccine platform
Role: PI
WL Faculty Development Grant 11/13-5/14
The mechanism of the temperature-dependent antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria.
Role: PI $2,000
WV-INBRE 1/14-7/14
Center for Natural Products pilot grant $25,000 direct costs
The use of resazurin and resorufin as novel antibacterial therapies
Role: Co-PI
WV-INBRE (NIH) 5/12 – 7/14
Major PUI grant $250,000 direct costs
The mechanism of erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis
WL Faculty Development Grant 11/12-5/13
A genetic approach to investigate the temperature-dependent antibiotic resistance of Francisella tularensis and other pathogenic bacteria $2,000
NIH LRP, NIAID 7/08 – 613
Characterization of the pediatric innate immune response to pathogenic bacteria and agents of bioterror; comparing Francisella tularensis invasion of adult and cord blood erythrocytes. $49,460
WL Faculty Development Grant 3/12-5/12
Investigation of the temperature-dependent antibiotic resistance of Francisella tularensis and other pathogenic bacteria. $2,000
WV-NASA 10/11-5/12
Genetic modification of Francisella tularensis LVS for use as a novel live vaccine platform.
$2,000
T32 AI060525 9/07-8/09
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA)
Institutional Research Training Grant. Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Temperature regulation of Francisella tularensis virulence determinants – Renewed (competitive) in 9/08.
Patents:
Use of resazurin, or analogs thereof, for antibacterial therapy
WO2014070760 A1
US20150258103
Inventors: Joseph A. Horzempa (principal inventor), Dawn M. Henson, Gerard J. Nau
Antimicrobial Compositions and Related Methods
U.S. Patent Application No. 63/062,767
Provisional application filed
Inventors: Elliot Collins, Francisco Leon, and Joseph Horzempa
The Horzempa Lab:
Interests and Hobbies:
I enjoy spending time with my family, playing guitar, sports, and being the household handyman.