Christina Kellogg, Ph.D.
I am an environmental microbiologist that uses molecular techniques and microbiology methods to study marine microbes, particularly the microbial ecology of tropical and deep-sea corals.
Dr. Kellogg joined the U.S. Geological Survey as a Mendenhall Fellow, characterizing the microbial communities in aerosolized African desert dust, beach sediments, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Currently, she leads the Coral Microbial Ecology Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey, studying the microbiomes and environments of tropical and cold-water corals.
Dr. Kellogg is active in shaping the direction of microbiome research in the U.S., having represented the Department of Interior (DOI) on the Federal Microbiome Interagency Working Group, the National Microbiome Data Collaborative, and serving as Subject Matter Expert to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy rollout of the National Microbiome Initiative in 2016.
Professional Experience
2003 – Present: Research principal investigator and head of Coral Microbial Ecology Lab, USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
2001 – 2003: USGS Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
1998 – 2001: Postdoctoral Fellow, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
1991 – 1998: Research Assistant, Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida
Education and Certifications
PhD: 1998, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL
BS: 1991, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Science and Products
Microbial ecology of deep-water mid-Atlantic canyons
Characterization of culturable bacteria isolated from the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa
Microbial consortia of gorgonian corals from the Aleutian islands
Enumeration of viruses and prokaryotes in deep-sea sediments and cold seeps of the Gulf of Mexico
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center coral reef research
Microbial ecology of corals, sponges, and algae in mesophotic coral environments
Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystem Studies, 2008-2011
Aeromicrobiology/air quality
Culture-independent characterization of bacterial communities associated with the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico
Applying New Methods to Diagnose Coral Diseases
Cross-kingdom amplification using Bacteria-specific primers: Complications for studies of coral microbial ecology
Science and Products
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Microbial ecology of deep-water mid-Atlantic canyons
The research described in this fact sheet will be conducted from 2012 to 2014 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's DISCOVRE (DIversity, Systematics, and COnnectivity of Vulnerable Reef Ecosystems) Program. This integrated, multidisciplinary effort will be investigating a variety of topics related to unique and fragile deep-sea ecosystems from the microscopic level to the ecosystem level. One goAuthorsChristina A. KelloggCharacterization of culturable bacteria isolated from the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa
Microorganisms associated with corals are hypothesized to contribute to the function of the host animal by cycling nutrients, breaking down carbon sources, fixing nitrogen, and producing antibiotics. This is the first study to culture and characterize bacteria from Lophelia pertusa, a cold-water coral found in the deep sea, in an effort to understand the roles that the microorganisms play in the cAuthorsJulia P. Galkiewicz, Zoe A. Pratte, Michael A. Gray, Christina A. KelloggMicrobial consortia of gorgonian corals from the Aleutian islands
Gorgonians make up the majority of corals in the Aleutian archipelago and provide critical fish habitat in areas of economically important fisheries. The microbial ecology of the deep-sea gorgonian corals Paragorgea arborea, Plumarella superba, and Cryogorgia koolsae was examined with culture-based and 16S rRNA gene-based techniques. Six coral colonies (two per species) were collected. Samples froAuthorsMichael A. Gray, Robert P. Stone, Molly R. McLaughlin, Christina A. KelloggEnumeration of viruses and prokaryotes in deep-sea sediments and cold seeps of the Gulf of Mexico
Little is known about the distribution and abundance of viruses in deep-sea cold-seep environments. Like hydrothermal vents, seeps support communities of macrofauna that are sustained by chemosynthetic bacteria. Sediments close to these communities are hypothesized to be more microbiologically active and therefore to host higher numbers of viruses than non-seep areas. Push cores were taken at fiveAuthorsChristina A. KelloggSt. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center coral reef research
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coral Reef Ecosystem STudies (CREST) Project specifically addresses priorities identified in the 'Facing tomorrow's challenges' U.S. Geological Survey science in the decade 2007-2017' document (USGS, 2007). Research includes a blend of historical, monitoring, and process studies aimed at improving our understanding of the development, current status and function,AuthorsRichard Z. Poore, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Christina A. KelloggMicrobial ecology of corals, sponges, and algae in mesophotic coral environments
Mesophotic coral ecosystems that occur at depths from 30 to 200 m have historically been understudied and yet appear to support a diverse biological community. The microbiology of these systems is particularly poorly understood, especially with regard to the communities associated with corals, sponges, and algae. This lack of information is partly due to the problems associated with gaining accessAuthorsJulie B. Olson, Christina A. KelloggGulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystem Studies, 2008-2011
Most people are familiar with tropical coral reefs, located in warm, well-illuminated, shallow waters. However, corals also exist hundreds and even thousands of meters below the ocean surface, where it is cold and completely dark. These deep-sea corals, also known as cold-water corals, have become a topic of interest due to conservation concerns over the impacts of trawling, exploration for oil anAuthorsChristina A. KelloggAeromicrobiology/air quality
The most prevalent microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, and fungi, are introduced into the atmosphere from many anthropogenic sources such as agricultural, industrial and urban activities, termed microbial air pollution (MAP), and natural sources. These include soil, vegetation, and ocean surfaces that have been disturbed by atmospheric turbulence. The airborne concentrations range from nil to greatAuthorsGary L. Andersen, A.S. Frisch, Christina A. Kellogg, E. Levetin, Bruce Lighthart, D. PaternoCulture-independent characterization of bacterial communities associated with the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico
Bacteria are recognized as an important part of the total biology of shallow-water corals. Studies of shallow-water corals suggest that associated bacteria may benefit the corals by cycling carbon, fixing nitrogen, chelating iron, and producing antibiotics that protect the coral from other microbes. Cold-water or deep-sea corals have a fundamentally different ecology due to their adaptation to colAuthorsChristina A. Kellogg, John T. Lisle, Julia P. GalkiewiczApplying New Methods to Diagnose Coral Diseases
Coral disease, one of the major causes of reef degradation and coral death, has been increasing worldwide since the 1970s, particularly in the Caribbean. Despite increased scientific study, simple questions about the extent of disease outbreaks and the causative agents remain unanswered. A component of the U.S. Geological Survey Coral Reef Ecosystem STudies (USGS CREST) project is focused on develAuthorsChristina A. Kellogg, David G. ZawadaCross-kingdom amplification using Bacteria-specific primers: Complications for studies of coral microbial ecology
PCR amplification of pure bacterial DNA is vital to the study of bacterial interactions with corals. Commonly used Bacteria-specific primers 8F and 27F paired with the universal primer 1492R amplify both eukaryotic and prokaryotic rRNA genes. An alternative primer set, 63F/1542R, is suggested to resolve this problem.AuthorsJulia P. Galkiewicz, Christina A. Kellogg - News
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