Jacob began with Dr. Harwood in 2010 as an undergraduate researcher conducting experiments toward completion of a USF Honors College thesis. During this time he not only participated in, but managed and designed multiple mesocosm and growth curve experiments relating to bacterial and algal population dynamics in the presence of pesticide contaminants. Although ultimately awarded a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, he found microbial ecology to be increasingly fascinating because of the applicability of the skills he was learning and the importance of the work to public health.
Following graduation in 2012, Jacob chose to continue working with Dr. Harwood. First, he began as a
volunteer performing water, soil, and fecal sample processing along with basic laboratory upkeep. Later, he was given the opportunity to work as full-time lab assistant with the responsibility of conducting entire research projects related to PCR-based water quality monitoring in partnership with state and local regulatory agencies. During his time as an employee he taught numerous undergraduates, a process which I have found to be extremely rewarding.
Jacob completed his Masters in 2018, which focused on identifying a novel MST marker in E. coli.
Publications
J.K. Senkbeil, Z.R. Staley, J. Rohr, and V.J. Harwood. "Effects of Agrochemicals on the Growth Rates of Bacterial Pathogens and Fecal Indicator Bacteria." Oral presentation at the 97th Meeting Southeastern Branch of American Society for Microbiology. Gainesville, FL. 20-22 October 2011.
Z.R. Staley, E. Chase, C. Mitraki, J.K. Senkbeil, T.L. Crisman, and V.J. Harwood. "The Effects of Land Use on Fecal Microbial Levels in Artificial Phosphate Mine Lakes." Poster presented at the 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. New Orleans, LA. 21-24 May 2011.
J.K. Senkbeil. "Effects of Agrochemicals on the Growth Rates of Bacterial Pathogens and Fecal Indicator Bacteria." Poster presented at the 9th Annual USF Undergraduate Research Symposium. Tampa, FL. 15 April 2011.
Z.R. Staley, J.K. Senkbeil, J. Rohr, and V.J. Harwood. "Predicting the effects of agricultural practices on waterborne human pathogens, livestock helminthes, and the health of rural water-bodies." Poster presented at the Water and Watershed & Agricultural Water Science Programs Project Directors Meeting. Washington DC 2 Feb 2011.
Z.R. Staley, J.R. Rohr, J.K. Senkbeil, V.J. Harwood. (December 2014). “Agrochemicals indirectly increase survival of E. coli O157:H7 and indicator bacteria by reducing ecosystem services.” Ecological Applications 24(8): 1945-1953.
Z. R. Staley, J. K. Senkbeil, et al. ( September 2012). "The Lack of Direct Effects of Agrochemicals on Zoonotic Pathogens and Fecal Indicator Bacteria." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 78(22): 8146-8150.