Dr. James Folsom|CV

CONTACT

Industry Research Experience

Senior Research Microbiologist2015 - current
Lonza Specialty Ingredients (LSI)
1200 Bluegrass Lakes Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Sep 2016 to Present - LSI Upstream Technologies

In this role I have served as subject matter expert in microbiology, biofilms, and wood decay. I have completed one two year project on cooling tower biofilms. In collaboration with Lonza’s water BU, I developed multi-species biofilm models for biocide testing that included Legionella pneumophila. I also continued to support new active screening efforts through automation of microbiology methods.

May 2015 to August 2016 - LSI Microbiology Center of Excellence

In this role I evaluated new potential biocides. New biocides were evaluated for anti-biofilm properties and for use as cold sterilants. During this role, I automated MIC testing and other novel tests on the Tecan Freedom EVO

Postdoctoral Experience

Dr. Ross Carlson, Chemical and Biological Engineering July 2009 - February 2014
Montana State University

My work here is part of a broader ongoing careful study of Escherichia coli metabolism intended to improve predictive interpretation of biological networks. In this position I worked with a doctoral student providing my expertise in microbiology and proteomics. This project includes characterization of overflow metabolism, protein expression and biomass composition of cells grown in chemostats under iron, carbon and nitrogen limitation. In addition, I worked with another graduate student on efforts to improve the labs computational capability for the calculation of the elementary flux mode set for biological networks. Several papers from this work are in preparation. I also managed lab inventory by ordering supplies.

Dr. Philip Stewart, Center for Biofilm Engineering June 2007 - June 2009
Montana State University

This was two one year projects. The first examined the transcriptomic response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms exposed to antibiotics. This project included PCR, and RNA extraction. The second project screened a novel set of antimicrobials collectively known as bismuth-thiols, for the purpose of identifying those most effective against biofilms.

Dr. Joseph Frank, Department of Food Science and Technology January 2007 - May 2007
University of Georgia

This was a six month project to study survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on leaf lettuce under abuse and regular storage conditions similar to harvest, transport, and shelf display storage. The project considered the conditions of wilting, internalization or surface localization as factors. I was trained on the multi-photon confocal at the Center for Ultrastructural Studies at UGA during this work.

Publications

Folsom, J. P. and R. P. Carlson. 2014. Physiological, elemental composition, and proteomic analyses of Escherichia coli ammonium-limited chemostat growth with comparison to iron- and glucose-limited chemostat growth. Microbiology 161:1659-1670.

Stewart, P. S., M. J. Franklin, K. S. Williamson, J. P. Folsom, L. Boegli and G. A. James. 2015. Contribution of stress responses to antibiotic tolerance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 59:3838-3847.

Folsom, J. P., A. E. Parker, and R. P. Carlson. 2014. Physiological and proteomic analysis of Escherichia coli iron-limited chemostat growth. Journal of Bacteriology 196:2478-2761.

Hunt, K. H., J. P. Folsom, R. L. Taffs, and R. P. Carlson. 2014. Complete enumeration of elementary flux modes through scalable demand-based subnetwork definition. Bioinformatics 30:1569-1578.

Folsom, J.P., B. Baker, and P. S. Stewart. 2011. In vitro efficacy of bismuth thiols against biofilms formed by bacteria isolated from human chronic wounds. Journal of Applied Microbiology 111:989-996.

Folsom, J.P., L. Richards, B. Pitts, F. Roe, G. D. Ehrlich, A. Parker and P. S. Stewart. 2010. Physiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in biofilms as revealed by transcriptional profiling. BMC Microbiology 10:294.

Folsom, J. P. and J. F. Frank. 2007. Proteomic analysis of a hypochlorous acid tolerant Listeria monocytogenes cultural variant exhibiting enhanced biofilm production. Journal of Food Protection 70:1129-1136.

Folsom, J. P. and J. F. Frank. 2006. Chlorine resistance of Listeria monocytogenes biofilms and relationship to subtype, cell density, and planktonic cell chlorine resistance. Journal of Food Protection 69:1292-1296.

Folsom, J. P., J. F. Frank, and G. R. Siragusa. 2006. Formation of biofilm at different nutrient levels by various genotypes of Listeria monocytogenes. Journal of Food Protection 69:826-834.

Folsom, J.P. and J.F. Frank. 2000. Heat inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in apple juice exposed to chlorine. Journal of Food Protection 63: 1021-1025.

Education

Ph. D. in Food Science & Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

• Dissertation Title: Biofilm forming properties and subtype of wild type and rough strains of Listeria monocytogenes in relation to hypochlorous acid tolerance and associated proteins.
• Dissertation Advisers: J. F. Frank, M. A. Harrison, L. Wicker, J. Chen, and G. S. Siragusa

M.S. in Food Science & Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

• Thesis Title: Heat inactivation in apple juice of Escherichia coli O157:H7 exposed to chlorine.
• Thesis Advisers: J. F. Frank, M. A. Harrison, W. L. Kerr

B.S.A. in Food Science & Technology University of Georgia, Athens, GA

• Undergraduate Research: Survival of E. coli O157:H7 in buttermilk
• Research Adviser: J. F. Frank

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Food Science & Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

• Lab section of Food & Dairy Microbiology
• Lab section of Food Fermentations
• Developed a lab exercise for beer making
• Participated in major revisions of lab manuals

Abstracts

Ross Carlson, and JAMES FOLSOM. 2013. Experimental and in silico analysis of competitive metabolic network structure-function relationships The American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Philip Stewart, JAMES FOLSOM, Kerry S. Williamson, Michael J. Franklin, Laura Boegli, Garth A. James. 2013. Genetic basis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm antibiotic tolerance. Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana Biofilm Science & Technology Meeting. Poster Abst. #589

JAMES FOLSOM, Brett Baker, and Philip Stewart. 2012. In vitro efficacy of bismuth thiols against biofilms formed by bacteria isolated from human chronic wounds. Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana Biofilm Science & Technology Meeting. Poster Abst. #565

Reed Taffs, JAMES FOLSOM, and Ross Carlson. 2012. Metabolic tradeoffs in resource investment and function: A switch or a dial? The American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Ross Carlson, Reed Taffs, JAMES FOLSOM. 2011. Cost-benefit analysis of microbial resource allocation: Implications for intracellular pathogens. Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana Biofilm Science & Technology Meeting. Poster Abst. #393

Reed Taffs, JAMES FOLSOM, and Ross Carlson. 2011. Proteomic, physiological, and in silico testing of economic tradeoffs in metabolic networks. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Reed Taffs, Ross Carlson, and JAMES FOLSOM. 2010. Physiological, proteomic, and in silico cost-benefit analysis of resource-limited growth. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Poster Abst. (601e).

JAMES FOLSOM. 2009. Identification of bismuth thiols with activity against biofilms of wound isolated bacteria. Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana Biofilm Science & Technology Meeting. Poster Abst. #476

JAMES FOLSOM and Philip Stewart. 2008. Transcriptional response of P. aeruginosa biofilms to antibiotic treatment. Center for Biofilm Engineering, Technical Advisory Conference, Poster Abst. #438.

JAMES FOLSOM and Joseph Frank. 2003. Biofilm forming potential of Listeria monocytogenes isolates on stainless steel using two different media. 90th Annual Meeting of the International Association for Food Protection, Poster Abst. P016.

JAMES FOLSOM, Gregory Siragusa, and Joseph Frank. 2002. Distribution of environmental and disease associated Listeria monocytogenes biofilm phenotypes within rep-PCR genotype patterns. 89th Annual Meeting of the International Association for Food Protection, Poster Abst. P078.

JAMES FOLSOM, and Joseph Frank. 1999. Heat inactivation in apple juice of Escherichia coli O157:H7 exposed to chlorine. 86th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Food and Environmental Sanitarians. Oral presentation.

Service

Re-designed, and maintained Carlson lab's website 2013-2014
Ad hoc reviewer: Journal of Food Quality, Journal of Food Protection, Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, and Biofouling current
Training users, and maintenance of FacsARIA flow cytometer 2009
Co-author of successful nomination letter: Inaugural CBE Student Citizen Award 2011
Member of Montana State University COBRE Journal Club 2009-2013

Funding

James P. Folsom, Philip S. Stewart and Brett Baker. #09-20 Development of bismuth-thiol based therapeutic agents for treating chronic wounds. Montana Board of Research & Commercialization Technology, $100,470, 07/01/2008-06/30/2009.

James P. Folsom and Joseph F. Frank. Behavior of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on leaf lettuce directly after harvest and the effect of vacuum cooling on infiltration. Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, $39,855, 01/01/2007-06/30/2007.

Professional Organizations

International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)
American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Awards

Finalist IAFP Developing Scientist 2003
Georgia Assoc. for Food Protection Young Investigator 1st place 2003
Georgia Assoc. for Food Protection Young Investigator 3rd place 1999