Gibson, Dr. Kathleen
Title: Associate Professor of Biology
Department: Natural Sciences
Office: ASNC 163
Phone: 605-668-1581
EDUCATION
B.S., Biology and Chemistry, Northern State University
M.S., Biological Science, Specialization: Microbiology, South Dakota State University
Ph.D., Biological Science, Specialization: Microbiology, South Dakota State University
COURSES TAUGHT
BIO 111 General Biology I
BIO 202 Medical Terminology
BIO 221 Introductory Microbiology
BIO 302 Immunology
BIO 320 Microbiology
BIO 330 Genetics
BIO 364 Cell and Molecular Biology
BIO 485 Internship
BIO 490 Senior Seminar
BIO 498 Research
PPS 300 MCAT Preparation Course
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Gibson started teaching for the Department of Biology and Microbiology at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota spring of 2014. During this time, she instructed Microbial Physiology and General Biology courses, coordinated laboratory sections and supervised the Graduate Teaching Assistants laboratory teaching team for General Biology I and II.
In the fall of 2016, Dr. Gibson began teaching at Mount Marty University (MMU). Dr. Gibson is currently the head of the Biology Program and has continued her education by becoming a Certified Online Instructor and Peer Reviewer through Quality Matters. She has experience teaching a variety of undergraduate courses in Biology including: General Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Medical Terminology, Microbiology, Microbial Physiology, Research and Senior Seminar.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Over the years, Dr. Gibson’s research has primarily focused on identifying microorganisms or plants that can be of use either medically or industrially. During her Master’s program, research focused on identifying native plants that were able to produce antimicrobial secondary products, in addition, she isolated and identified the antimicrobial compound produced by Physalis virginiana (ground cherry). Dr. Gibson’s doctoral research focused on isolating and identifying cellulase producing bacteria and fungi from soil and water samples, isolation, characterization and partial purification of a bacterial cellulase enzyme and characterizing fungal and bacterial soil communities using denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). At MMU, Dr. Gibson has continued her research into antimicrobial plant compounds through funding from the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (SD BRIN).
PUBLICATIONS
PUBLICATIONS/ABSTRACTS
Burtzlaff L, Gibson KA. 2023. Cytotoxicity and determination of the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for Coleus Scutellarioides. Proc S Dak Acad Sci. [Submitted for Publication].
McGill E, Gibson KA. 2023. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Salvia rosmarinus using a 96 well plate assay. Proc S Dak Acad Sci. [Submitted for Publication].
Mahoney K, Gibson KA. 2018. Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus with Rosmarinus officinalis and Coleus blumei. SD EPSCOR Undergraduate Research Symposium. July 25-26, 2018. Pierre, SD.
Cheskie D, Gibson KA. 2017. Antimicrobial assay of fish epidermal mucous membranes. SD EPSCOR Undergraduate Research Symposium. August 2-3, 2017. Pierre, SD.
Kulkarni P, Gibson KA, Bleakley BH. 2017. Lipopeptide production and petroleum hydrocarbon utilization by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. 2017 SIMB Annual Meeting.
Sorensen C, Gibson KA. 2017. Herbal inhibition of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. SD EPSCOR Undergraduate Research Symposium. August 2-3, 2017. Pierre, SD.
Gibson KA, Bleakley BH. 2013. Quantification of enzyme activities involved in cellulose decomposition by a thermotolerant, microaerophilic bacterium grown on different carbon sources in broth culture. Proc S Dak Acad Sci. 92:169.
Gibson KA, Reese RN, Halaweish FT, Ren Y. 2011. Isolation and characterization of a bacterial withanolide from Physalis virginiana. Pharmacy Mag. 8:22-28.
Harris ST, Gibson KA, Bleakley BH. 2010. Isolation and partial characterization of three sulfur-reducing bacteria from South Dakota’s Homestake Mine. Paper # 16671. In Abstracts of 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Industrial Microbiology. August 1-5, 2010. San Francisco, CA.
Gibson KA, Reese RN. 2003. Screening of South Dakota native plants for antibiotic potential. Proc S Dak Acad Sci. 82:353.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Gibson KA, Bleakley BH. 2010. Use of Remazol Brilliant Blue R-labeled cellulose as a substrate to quantify microbial cellulase production in broth culture. Fifth Annual SD Biotechnology Summit. October 26, 2010. Brookings, SD.
Gibson KA, Bleakley BH. 2010. Isolation and characterization of CMCase producing microorganisms from South Dakota. CBRD Annual Meeting, October 2017. Brookings, SD.