Biomedical Scientist
Biomedical Scientist

Biography

Shelby Phillips joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in 2014 as a post-bachelor research associate studying microbial influence of iodine speciation at the 200 West Hanford Site and microbial degradation ability of various organic solvents. In 2016, she became a staff scientist at PNNL and has worked on a variety of projects, including groundwater monitoring, radiological/nuclear instrument detection, and sediment characterization for conceptual site models.

Phillips is currently on the Pathogen Biology team in the National Security Directorate studying host pathogen interactions, engineering mammalian cells for rapid pathogen/toxin identification, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. In addition to research, she also works hard to create diversity in the workplace through her efforts as an intern coordinator for the Minority-Serving Institution Partnership Program, managed by the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management.

Disciplines and Skills

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Bioremediation
  • Microbiology
  • Host-pathogen interactions
  • Naturally occurring pathogens in the environment

Education

  • BS in biology, New Mexico State University

Awards and Recognitions

  • Laboratory Director’s Award for Exceptional Multi-Discipline Team Achievement in S&T, PNNL, 2021
  • Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL, 2020
  • Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL, 2019
  • Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL, 2015

Publications

2023

  • Stromberg, ZR, Phillips, SMB, Omberg, KM, Hess, BM. High-Throughput Functional Trait Testing for Bacterial Pathogens. mSphere. 2023; e00315-23. https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00315-23

2022

  • Phillips S., C.J. Bergstrom, B.M. Walker, G.P. Wang, T.D. Alfaro, Z.R. Stromberg, and B.M. Hess. 2022. "Engineered Cell Line Imaging Assay Differentiates Pathogenic from Non-Pathogenic Bacteria." Pathogens 11, no. 2:Art. No. 209. PNNL-SA-168177. doi:10.3390/pathogens11020209
  • Mobberley J.M., S.K. Cooley, M.W. Widder, S. Phillips, A.M. Melville, L.M. Brennan, and V.T. Divito, et al. 2022. "A multistep enrichment process with custom growth medium improves resuscitation of chlorine-stressed coliforms from secondary sewage effluents." Journal of Microbiological Methods 192. PNNL-SA-154032. doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106364

2019

  • Hutchison J.R., S.M. Brooks, Z.C. Kennedy, T.R. Pope, B. Kaiser, K.D. Victry, and C.L. Warner, et al. 2019. "Polysaccharide-based liquid storage and transport media for non-refrigerated preservation of bacterial pathogens." PLoS One 14, no. 9:e0221831. PNNL-SA-142625. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221831
  • Hutchison J.R., M.W. Widder, S.M. Brooks, L.M. Brennan, L. Souris, V.T. DeVito, and W.H. van der Schalie, et al. 2019. "Consistent Production of Chlorine-Stressed Bacteria from Non-Chlorinated Secondary Sewage Effluents for use in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alternate Test Procedure Protocol." Journal of Microbiological Methods 163. PNNL-SA-142969. doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2019.105651

2018

  • Plymale A.E., J.R. Wells, E.B. Graham, O. Qafoku, S.M. Brooks, and B.D. Lee. 2018. "Bacterial productivity in a ferrocyanide-contaminated aquifer at a nuclear waste site." Water 10, no. 8:Article No. 1072. PNNL-SA-135770. doi:10.3390/w10081072

2017

  • Nakayasu E.S., M.C. Burnet, H.E. Walukiewicz, C.S. Wilkins, A.K. Shukla, S.M. Brooks, and M.J. Plutz, et al. 2017. "Ancient regulatory role of lysine acetylation in central metabolism." mBio 8, no. 6:Article No. e01894-17. PNNL-SA-124565. doi:10.1128/mBio.01894-17