Allison Wiedemeier

Associate Professor

School of Sciences

CNSB 326

318-342-3313

Allison M Wiedemeier, PhD
Associate Professor, Biology
Biology Program Coordinator

Education

Ph D

1998, Biological Sciences
Univeristy of Missouri- Columbia

BS

1992, Biological Sciences
Drake University

Biographical Sketch

Allison is a teacher at heart. She has been an instructor at the college level for over 20 years. Prior to moving to Louisiana, she worked as a Resident Instruction Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of her job. She actively engages her students through interactive lectures and by using innovative teaching methods. She continually seeks ways to enrich her teaching and the classroom experience. She is fortunate to teach students at every level of education, from freshman to graduate students and regularly teaches classes outside of her expertise.

Allison has two main research interests. She is currently conducting a research study into the use of metacognitive activities within the General Microbiology classroom. This research stems from her work with the Biology Scholars program associated with the American Society for Microbiology. She also has an active research lab in the Biology department which focuses on the interaction between viruses, bacteria and plant hosts. She seeks motivated graduate and undergraduate students that wish to investigate the use of bacteriophage as bio-control agents to work with her.

As her role as the Chair of the University of Louisiana Pre-medical Advisory Committee, Allison is also involved in helping students that are applying to medical school, physician assistant school, dental school and other medically associated programs. She, along with other faculty, advise students about which classes to take, and ultimately the application process, encouraging them to succeed.

Allison is a dedicated member of the faculty at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She strives to do her best, for students, for peers and for her school.

Research Interests

Allison's lab focuses on the intersection of microbes and plants. She has always been interested in the control of growth within plant tissue. Therefore, the production of plant galls by the bacterial pathogen, Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) interests her. Early studies in the lab focused on the structural changes that occur in the plant after infection, but recent interest has focused on the use of bio-control agents as a method to inhibit Rhizobium radiobacter infection. Currently students in the lab isolate, culture and characterize bacteriophages that can infect and destroy the bacterial pathogen. Multiple studies are ongoing in the lab:

Biofilm interaction studies using phages on Rhizobium radiobacter
Host range identification on isolated phages
Superimmunity studies
Genomic annotation
Taxonomic description

Creative Works

Art - Exhibition, Group, Drawn to Biology, Sterlington Memorial Branch Library Exhibit, Monroe, LA, United States. (February 1 2023).

Art - Exhibition, Group, Drawn to Biology, ULM Museum of Natural History, Monroe, Louisiana, United States. (January 2020).

Art - Exhibition, Group, “Intersection of Visual Language and Scientific Language" at Downtown Gallery Crawl, Monroe, LA. (April 5 2018).

Art - Exhibition, Group, ULM Art Crawl, Monroe, LA. (October 12 2017).

Recent Publications

Wiedemeier, A. M., Tolson, K. M. Drawn to Biology: Student Attitudes and Perceptions about Visual Art Integration and Service Learning in an Upper Division Biology Laboratory. Oakland, CA: American Biology Teacher.

Miller, B., Jones, J., Nguyen, A., Patel, K., Wiedemeier, A., LeJeune, L. Complete Genome Annotation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens JP1. GenBank.

Wiedemeier, A. M., Tolson, K. M. Drawn to Biology: A Novel Approach to Collaboration and Service in an Upper Division Biology Laboratory. Oakland, California: American Biology Teacher.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2018). Gordonia terrae 3612 phage Sombrero. NCBI; GenBank.

Gissendanner, C., Findley, A., Wiedemeier, A. (2018). Gordonia terrae 3612 phage Dogfish. NCBI; GenBank.

Gissendanner, C., Findley, A., Wiedemeier, A. (2018). Gordonia terrae 3612 phage Catfish. NCBI; GenBank.

Hanauer, D., Graham, M., SEA PHAGES CLASS INSTRUCTORS (Wiedemeier), S. P., Betancur, L., Bobrownicki, A., Cresawn, S., Garlena, R., Jacobs-Sera, D., Kaufmann, N., pope, W., Russell, D., Jacobs Jr, W., Asai, D., Hatfull, G. (2017). An inclusive Research Community (iREC): Impact of the SEA-PHAGES program on research outcomes and student learning (pp. 13531-13536). PNAS.

Bonilla, J. A., Isern, S., Findley, A., Klyczek, K., Saha, M., Buchser, W., Forsyth, M., Paudel, S., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A., Alonzo, F., Garlena, R., Russell, D., Pope, W., Cresawn, S., Jacobs-Sera, D., Hatfull, G. Genome Sequences of 19 Rhodococcus erythropolis Cluster CA Phages (pp. 1-3). Genome Announcements/American Society for Microbiology.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2016). Rhodococcus erythopolis RIA 643 phage Partridge. NCBI; GenBank.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2016). Rhodococcus erythopolis RIA 643 phage Yogi. NCBI; GenBank.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2016). Rhodococcus erythopolis RIA 643 phage ChewyVIII. NCBI; GenBank.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2016). Rhodococcus erythopolis RIA 643 phage Weasels2. NCBI;GenBank.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2017). Rhodococcus erythopolis RIA 643 phage BobbyDazzler. NCBI; GenBank.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2017). Rhodococcus erythopolis RIA 643 phage AngryOrchard. NCBI; GenBank.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2014). Mycobacterium Phage Hades. NCBI.org; GenebankA.

Findley, A., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2014). Mycobacterium Phage Trike. NCBI.org; GenebankA.

Gissendanner, C. R., Wiedemeier, A., Wiedemeier, P. D., Minton, R. L., Bhuiyan, S., Harmson, J., Findley, A. M. (2014). A web-based restriction endonuclease tool for mycobacteriophage cluster prediction. Journal of Basic Microbiology.

Wiedemeier, A., Wiedemeier, P., Faculty at Sea In-Silico Workshop, . (2013). Mycobacterium phage KayaCho Complete Sequence. NCBI.org; Genebank.

Findley, A. M., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A. (2012). Mycobacteriophage Medusa. NCBI.org; GenBank.

Findley, A. M., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A., Harmson, J., Miller, B. (2012). Mycobacteriophage iCleared. GenBank; ncbi.org.

Findley, A. M., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A., Harmson, J. (2011). Mycobacteriophage Rakim. GenBank; ncbi.org.

Findley, A. M., Gissendanner, C., Wiedemeier, A., Harmson, J. (2011). Mycobacteriophage JAWS. GenBank; ncbi.org.

Wiedemeier, A. (2011). The Importance of Educating Nonmajors in Microbiology (pp. 511). Berkeley, California: The American Biology Teacher.

Pritchett, D., Amos, D., Jackson, D., Wiedemeier, A. Microbiology: A "PET" Based Approach (pp. 102). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Finton, M., Barham, A., Wiedemeier, A. Proceedings of Louisiana Academy of Sciences. Louisiana: Proceedings of Louisiana Academy of Sciences.

Wiedemeier, A., Owens, S. R., Findley, A. M. Proceedings of Louisiana Academy of Sciences. Louisiana: Proceedings of Louisiana Academy of Sciences.

Miller, B., Hall, J., Wiedemeier, A. Proceedings of Louisiana Academy of Sciences. Louisiana: Proceedings of Louisiana Academy of Sciences.

Priest, M., Byres, D., Gaudin, A., Sengupta, S., Smith, M., Suchman, E., Warner, J., Wenzel, M., Wiedemeier, A. (2009). Test Bank for Biology: Guide to the Natural World. San Fransico, CA: Pearson/ Benjamin Cummings.

Bannigan, A., Wiedemeier, A., Williamson, R. E., Overall, R. L., Baskin, T. I. (2006). Cortical Microtubule Arrays Lose Uniform Alignment Between Cells and are Oryzalin Resistant in the Arabidopsis Mutant, radially swollen 6 (pp. 949-958). Plant and Cell Physiology.

Wiedemeier, A., Judy-March, J. E., Hocart, C. H., Wasteneys, G. O., Williamson, R. E., Baskin, T. I. (2002). Mutant alleles of Arabidopsis RADIALLY SWOLLEN 4 and 7 reduce growth anisotropy without altering the transverse orientation of cortical microtubules or cellulose microfibrils (pp. 4821-4830). Development.

Lane, D. R., Wiedemeier, A., Peng, L., Hofte, H., Vernhettes, S., Desprez, T., Hocart, C. H., Birch, R. J., Baskin, T. I., Burn, J. E., Arioli, T., Betzner, A. S., Williamson, R. E. (2001). Temperature-Sensitive Alleles of RSW2 Link the KORRIGAN Endo-1,4-b-Glucanase to Cellulose Synthesis and Cytokinesis in Arabidopsis (pp. 278-288). Plant Physiology.

Schatten, H., Wiedemeier, A., Taylor, M., Lubahn, D. B., Greenberg, N. M., Besch-Williford, C., Rosenfeld, C. S., Day, J. K., Ripple, M. (2000). Centrosome-centriole abnormalities are markers for abnormal cell divisions and cancer in the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) model (pp. 331-340). Biology of The Cell.

Liang, B., Wiedemeier, A., Sharp, R. E., Baskin, T. I. (1996). Consistent handedness of microtubule helical arrays in maize and Arabidopsis primary roots. (pp. 8-15). Protoplasma.

Research Grants

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), Tolson, K. (Supporting), Tresner, C. (Supporting), "Drawing as the Art of Learning" (Funded), Sponsored By Academic Innovation Center at ULM, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $800.00. (February 2021 - July 2021).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Marvels of the Human Biology Bayou Discovery Camp Microbiology Activity" (Not Funded), Sponsored By American Society for Microbiology, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $497.23. (June 2023 - Present).

Tolson, K. M. (Co-Principal), Wiedemeier, A. (Co-Principal), "ULM Museum of Natural History K-8 STEM Discovery Boxes" (Funded), Sponsored By ULM Opportunity Fund, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $4100.00. (January 2024 - May 2025).

Wiedemeier, A. (Co-Principal), Tolson, K. M. (Co-Principal), "KNOW Brainer Bayou Discovery Camp Partnership Agreement" (Funded), Sponsored By Edward Via College of Osteopathic College of Medicine Louisiana, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $5000.00. (February 2024 - August 2024).

Wiedemeier, A. (Co-Principal), Tolson, K. M. (Co-Principal), "Marvels of the Human Body Bayou Discovery Camp Partnership Agreement" (Funded), Sponsored By Edward Via College of Osteopathic College of Medicine Louisiana, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $4194.00. (April 2023 - June 2023).

Cranford, E. (Supporting), Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Analysis of Biofilming Capabilities of Novel Rhizobium radiobacter Phages from Louisiana Soil" (Funded), Sponsored By Beta Beta Beta, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $675.00. (January 2020 - May 2021).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Confirming Genome Sequencing of Rhizobium radiobacter phages" (Funded), Sponsored By Louisiana Biomedical Research Network Core Bucks Program, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $2040.00. (January 2020 - May 2020).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "STEM to STEAM Rebooted: A Second Look." (Funded), Sponsored By CAES Deans Faculty Support Fund, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $427.71. (January 2019 - May 2019).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Sequence Verification of Prophage Insertion within Rhizobium radiobacter" (Funded), Sponsored By College of Arts, Education and Sciences, ULM, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $1000.00. (January 2018 - May 2018).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Genome Sequencing of 10 novel Rhizobium radiobacter phages and Electron Microscopy" (Funded), Sponsored By LBRN, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $2929.20. (April 2018 - 2018).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), Shell, V. (Supporting), "The Interaction of Visual Language and Scientific Language" (Funded), Sponsored By Academic Innovation Grant, ULM, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $2, 000.00. (February 2017 - May 2017).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Host Range and Biofilm Interaction Studies of Bacteriophages Used to Identify Possible Biocontrol Agents of Rhizobium radiobacter, Rhizobium vitis and Rhizobium rhizogenes" (Not Funded), Sponsored By Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund, Research and Development Program, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $20, 000.00. (2017).

Garlapti, S. (Supporting), Sasek, T. (Supporting), Talbert, M. (Supporting), Wiedemeier, A. (Supporting), Findley, A. (Principal), "Development of a CNSB Quantitative Biology Center" (Funded), Sponsored By University of Louisiana at Monroe, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $10, 700. (January 2016 - May 2016).

Findley, A. (Co-Principal), Wiedemeier, A. (Co-Principal), "Bayou Discovery Science Camp" (Funded), Sponsored By Capital One Bank, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $5570.00. (January 2016 - 2016).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Characterization of Novel Agrobacterium phages from Louisiana Soil" (Funded), Sponsored By College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $720.00. (May 2014 - February 2015).

Findley, A. (Co-Principal), Wiedemeier, A. (Co-Principal), "Wet in the City: Water as a Focus for Urban Environmental Education" (Funded), Sponsored By Louisiana Environmental Education Commission, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $2500.00. (2014 - 2015).

Wiedemeier, A. (Principal), "Physical and Genomic Characterization of Novel Agrobacterium tumefaciens Phages" (Not Funded), Sponsored By Louisiana EPSCor, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $10, 000.00. (2014 - 2015).

Awards & Honors

July 2022 - 2024 Lilllian L and Fred A Marx Endowed Professorship in Biology.

April 2018 Excellence in Teaching Award.

July 2018 - 2021 Mayme and Tom Scott Professorship in Teaching Excellence.

July 2014 - 2016 Lilllian L and Fred A Marx Endowed Professorship in Biology.

November 2013 Accent on Excellence Educator of the Year.

August 2013 ULM Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching.

April 2013 Faculty Award of Excellence.

April 2013 Outstanding Faculty of Teaching.

January 2013 Biology Program Nominee for Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.

2013 Nominee forTom and Mayme Scott Professorship in Teaching Excellence.

October 2011 Top 10 Faculty and Staff Members of ULM 2011-2012.

March 2011 Biology Department Nominee for the College of Arts and Science Teaching Award.

October 2010 Top 10 Faculty and Staff Members of ULM 2010-2011.

March 2010 Biology Department Nominee for the College of Arts and Science Teaching Award.

October 2009 Top 10 Faculty and Staff Members of ULM 2009-2010.

Courses Taught

BIOL 1020PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I, 6 course(s)

BIOL 1021PRINCIPLES BIOLOGY I LAB, 9 course(s)

BIOL 1023PRINCIPLES BIOLOGY II LAB, 2 course(s)

BIOL 2014INTRODUCTORY MICROBIOLOGY, 33 course(s)

BIOL 2015INTRO MICRO LABORATORY, 35 course(s)

BIOL 2016ALLIED HEALTH MICROBIOLOGY, 2 course(s)

BIOL 2020CELL BIOLOGY, 27 course(s)

BIOL 2021BACTERIOPHAGE: IN SITU, 5 course(s)

BIOL 2023BACTERIOPHAGE: IN SILICO, 4 course(s)

BIOL 4011Microbes and Man, 1 course(s)

BIOL 4022HISTOLOGY, 9 course(s)

BIOL 4068GENERAL VIROLOGY, 7 course(s)

BIOL 4096COOPERATIVE INTERNSHIPS, 3 course(s)

BIOL 4099SENIOR BIOLOGY SEMINAR, 5 course(s)

BIOL 4112MICROBES AND MAN, 10 course(s)

BIOL 5005RESEARCH METHODS, 2 course(s)

BIOL 5006RESEARCH METHODS LABORATORY, 2 course(s)

BIOL 5007SEMINAR, 2 course(s)

BIOL 5022HISTOLOGY, 1 course(s)

BIOL 5068GENERAL VIROLOGY, 1 course(s)

BIOL 5096Special Topic:Cell & Molecular, 1 course(s)

BIOL 5212MICROBES & MAN, 3 course(s)

UNIV 1001University Seminar, 1 course(s)

Allison M Wiedemeier, PhD Associate Professor, BiologyBiology Program Coordinator