Research Interests
For my dissertation project, I am studying the effects of disturbance on the assemblage of soil microbial communities. In particular, I will focus on the effects of fire on the structure and function of the microbial community in shortgrass prairie and how this affects prairie carbon cycles. Grassland ecosystems are important in the global carbon cycle and are primarily sinks for atmospheric carbon.
Previous Research
I worked on identifying the frequency and distribution of avian influenza strains in Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds while working as a Research Associate at the Center for Tropical Research.
While at the University of Massachusetts, I conducted research on the molecular evolution of antibiotic resistance in enteric bacteria isolated from wild Australian Mammals.
Education
B.S., 2003, Evolution and Ecology, Minor in Art Studio, University of California, Davis
M.S., 2007, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Selected Publications
Emily E. Curd, Caroline A. Obert, and Margaret A. Riley, Is there a Reservoir of antibiotic resistance in the Wild? In Preparation
Gerald J. Kost, Zuping Tang, Nam K. Tran, Emily E Curd, Richard F Louie, Timothy E. Albertson, and Robert W Derlet, Economic Implications of Optimal Diagnosis and Treatment of Sepsis, The Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2003;63 (Supplement 239): 15-2