Pamela J. Morris

Research Assistant Professor
Cell Biology and Anatomy Department
Medical University of South Carolina

Ph.D., Michigan State University
morrisp@musc.edu
PhD Candidates, Post Doctoral students and a summer student in Dr. Morris's lab
Research:
Environmental Microbiology. My laboratory focuses on three key research areas: (1) microbial crude oil degradation and the role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on microbial community dynamics in crude oil-impacted and other contaminated environments, (2) the pH-dependent toxicity of divalent cations (e.g., nickel) to microorganisms, and (3) culture-dependent and culture- independent approaches to assessing microbial diversity in diverse marine environments, including coral reefs, dolphin respiratory fluids, and biofilms.

PUBLICATIONS:

Van Nostrand, J., T. Khijniak, A. Sowder, P. Bertsch and P.J. Morris. 2005. The effect of pH on the toxicity of nickel and other divalent metals to Burkholderia cepacia PR1301. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 24(11): (In press).

Smithwick, A., A. Smith, J. Quensen, A. Smith, D. Kurtz,, L. London, and P.J. Morris. 2004. The inhibition of LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation by ortho-substituted and microbially dechlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls is associated with a decreased expression of cyclin D2. Toxicology 204:61-74.

Norman, R.S., P. Moeller, T.J. McDonald, and P.J. Morris. 2004. Effect of pyocyanin on a crude oil-degrading microbial community. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 70:4004-4011.

Russell, M.A., L.E. Murphy, D.L. Johnson, T.J. Foecke, P.J. Morris, and R. Mitchell. 2004. Science for Stewardship: Multidisciplinary Research on USS Arizona. Marine Technology Society Journal 38:35-44.

Smithwick, A., A. Smith, J. Quensen, A. Stack, L. London, and P.J. Morris. 2003. Inhibition of LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation by ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyl congeners. Toxicology 188/2-3:319-333.

Sowder, A., P. Bertsch, and P.J. Morris. 2003. Uranium and nickel speciation and bioavailability in riparian sediments: Impact of aging, source term, and geochemical controls. Journal of Environmental Quality 32:885-898.

Frontera-Suau, R., F.D. Bost, T.J. McDonald, and P.J. Morris. 2002. Aerobic microbial degradation of hopanes and other biomarkers by crude oil-degrading cultures. Environmental Science & Technology 36:4578-4584.

Norman, R.S., R. Frontera-Suau, and P.J. Morris. 2002. Variability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide expression during crude oil degradation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 68:5096-5103.

Johnson, D.L., W.N. Weins, J.D. Makinson, L.E. Murphy, D.E. Conlin, M.A. Russell, and P.J. Morris. 2002. In situ corrosion studies on the battleship U.S.S. Arizona Part 1. Corrosion 2002 (Paper 02206), NACE International, 02206/1-02206/11.
Smithwick, A., S. Wilde, L. London, and P.J. Morris. 2001. Effects of aerobic PCB degradation on immunotoxicity. In PCBs: Recent Advances in the Environmental Toxicology and Health Effects, L.W. Robertson and L.G. Hansen, Editors, The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. pp 93-96.
Bost, F.D., R. Frontera-Suau, T. McDonald, K. E. Peters, and P. J. Morris. 2001. Biodegradation of hopanes and norhopanes from Venezeulan crude oil. Organic Geochemistry 32:105-114.
 

Smithwick, A., A. Smith, J. Quensen, A. Stack, L. London, and P.J. Morris. 2003. Inhibition of LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation by ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyl congeners. Toxicology 188:319-333..

Sowder, A., P. Bertsch, and P.J. Morris. 2003. Uranium and nickel speciation and bioavailability in riparian sediments: Impact of aging, source term, and geochemical controls. Journal of Environmental Quality 32:885-898 .

Frontera-Suau, R., F.D. Bost, T.J. McDonald, and P.J. Morris. 2002. Aerobic microbial degradation of hopanes and other biomarkers by crude oil-degrading cultures. Environmental Science & Technology 36:4585-4592.

Norman, R.S., R. Frontera-Suau, and P.J. Morris. 2002. Variability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide expression during crude oil degradation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 68:5096-5103.
 

Morris, P. 2001. Interviewed for History Channel documentary entitled “Save the Arizona”. Documentary released on 7 December 2001 (60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack).

Morris, P. 2001. Interviewed for June Issue of National Geographic Magazine article “Of Oil and Honor".