Contact Information
Office Location: College Hall Room 154
Lab Location: Human Sciences Building
Email: richard.laughlin@tamuk.edu
Phone: 361-593-3504
CV: Download CV (PDF)
Research Profiles: ORCID | NCBI PubMed
About Dr. Laughlin
Dr. Richard C. Laughlin is an Associate Professor and Executive Director of Research Compliance at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. His research explores microbial pathogens, host-pathogen interactions, and microbiome biodiversity. He has secured state, federal, and private funding to support translational studies in infectious disease and has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students who have advanced to professional and research careers.
Education
- Ph.D., Biochemistry — Clemson University
- B.S., Biochemistry — Stetson University
Research Interests & Current Projects
- Microbial pathogens of the gastrointestinal system
- Host-pathogen interactions
- Bioinformatic analysis and predictive biology
- Host response to vaccination and infection
- SARS-CoV-2 in animal populations
- Biodiversity of intestinal microbiota in wildlife
Courses Taught
- BIOL 2420: Principles of Microbiology
- BIOL 2421: Elementary Microbiology
- BIOL 4406: Bacteriology
- BIOL 5312: Advanced Bacteriology
- BIOL 5322: Infectious Disease
- BIOL 5402: Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology (Advanced Topics, Fall 2024)
- BIOL 5402: Techniques in Disease (Advanced Topics, Spring 2024)
Awards & Honors
- Olan Kruse Science Faculty Award, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2025)
- Dean’s Award for Outstanding Teaching, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2019)
Selected Publications
- Cooper K, Chong A, Kari L, Jeffrey B, Starr T, Martens C, McClurg M, Posada VR, Laughlin RC, et al. (2021). Salmonella Typhimurium uses smooth swimming to increase invasion in the mammalian gut. Nature Communications, 12:348.
- Garcia R, Salcedo C, Laughlin RC, Velez-Hernandez ME. (2020). Effects of high uracil diet-induced gut dysbiosis on courtship behavior in Drosophila. Texas Journal of Science, 72(1): Article 2.
- Laughlin RC, Madera R, Peres Y, Berquist BR, Wang L, et al. (2018). Single-dose plant-made biobetter E2 glycoprotein vaccine protects pigs against Classical Swine Fever. Plant Biotechnology Journal, July 2018.
- Laughlin RC & Alaniz RC. (2016). Outer membrane vesicles as protein shuttles, biotic defenders, and immunological doppelgängers. Gut Microbes, 1–5.
- Laughlin RC, Drake K, Morrill JC, Adams LG. (2016). Identification of prognostic gene set for seroconversion for vaccination against Rift Valley Fever Virus. PLOS One, 11(1):e0147027.
- Laughlin RC, Knodler LA, Barhoumi R, Payne HR, Wu J, et al. (2015). Spatial segregation of virulence gene expression during acute enteric infection with Salmonella Typhimurium. mBio, 5(1): e00946-13.
Professional Associations
- American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society
- Golden Key International Honour Society
Microbiology Links
Recommended Podcasts
Microbe & Science Related Blogs
