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Impending Winter Storm

Due to the impending storm, all classes and activities at Kean’s main campus in Union, Kean Ocean and Kean Skylands will operate remotely on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26. 

The University will observe a Winter Wellness Day on Tuesday, January 27, following the storm. Classes and activities will not run, and employees are not expected to work. 

Due to ongoing power problems at the Kean Ocean Gateway Building, all classes and activities at Kean Ocean will also be conducted remotely on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24. This only applies to Kean Ocean. 

Only essential personnel should report to work as scheduled during the remote period or on Tuesday. Employees with questions about their status should consult their supervisor. 

Keanu’s Kitchen will remain open for residential students on the Union campus from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. 

All vehicles parked on the Union campus must be relocated to the Vaughn-Eames overnight parking lot by 6 p.m. on Saturday to allow for storm cleanup. Vehicles parked elsewhere on campus are subject to relocation. 

Carisa Davis , Ph.D.

Lecturer
Office Location
SC-136
Email
caridavi@kean.edu
Phone
(908) 737-3670

My research interests are in molecular microbiology, foodborne illness and biodefense, and I have experience working in phylogenetics, quantitative genetics and biodefense research. While working in a biodefense research laboratory, I was involved in the development of rapid detection methods (real time PCR) and using molecular typing (ribotyping and pulsed field gel electrophoresis) for foodborne outbreaks. These methods are useful in foodborne outbreak and bioterrorism investigations because there is a need to identify pathogens and track them quickly. I am also interested in the differences in the pandemic and non-pandemic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. These are areas of research that I have continued while at Kean. My students have researched the use of newer molecular methods (loop-amplified isothermal amplification) for detecting bacteria in food, historical diseases and bacterial transmission in bathrooms.

Education

  • Ph.D., Medical Sciences
  • M.S., Biology
  • B.S., Biology

Courses Taught

  • Microbiology
  • Applied Microbiology
  • Seminar in Integrative Biology

Selected Publications

Atienza, K., D. Ludizaca, and C. Davis. 2021. Transmission of Escherichia coli Through Toilet Seats. Kean Quest: Vol. 3 : Iss. 2 , Article 2. 

Veguilla, W., K. K. Peak, V. A. Luna, J. C. Roberts, C. R. Davis, A. Cannons, P. Amuso, and J. Cattani. 2008. Two Year Study Evaluating the Potential Loss of mecA in a MRSA Culture Collection. J. Clin. Microbiol. 46: 3494-3497.

Davis, C.R., D.L. Wingfield, K.K. Peak, W. Veguilla, P.T. Amuso, A.C. Cannons, and J. Cattani. 2007. Molecular Characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strains Associated with Food Borne Illness in Florida. J Food Prot. 70: 2396 – 2401.

Scott, K. S. Sievert, F. Abril, L. Ball, C. Barrett, R. Blake, A. Boller, P. Chain, J. Clark, C. Davis, C. Detter, K. Do, K. Dobrinski, B. Faza, K. Fitzpatrick, S. Freyermuth, T. Harmer, L. Hauser, M. Hügler, C. Kerfeld, M. Klotz, W. Kong, M. Land, A. Lapidus, F. Larimer, D. Longo, S. Lucas, S. Malfatti, S. Massey, D. Martin, Z. McCuddin, F. Meyer, J. Moore, L. Ocampo Jr., J. Paul, I. Paulsen, D. Reep, Q. Ren, R. Ross, P. Sato, P. Thomas, L. Tinkham, and G. Zeruth. 2006. The Genome of Deep-Sea Vent Chemolithoautotroph Thiomicrospira crunogena XCL-2. PLoS Biology. 4: 2196 – 2212.

Davis, C. R., L. C. Heller, K. K. Peak, D. L. Wingfield, C. L. Goldstein-Hart, D. W. Bodager, A. C. Cannons, P. T. Amuso, J. Cattani. 2004. Real time PCR detection of the thermostable direct hemolysin and thermolabile hemolysin genes in a Vibrio parahaemolyticus cultured from mussels and mussel homogenate associated with a foodborne outbreak. J Food Prot. 67:1005-1008.