Shannon Hinsa-Leasure

Shannon Hinsa-Leasure is a microbiologist and a professor of biology at Grinnell College in Iowa. Her research interests include microbial diversity, antibiotic resistance and genetic exchange, and strategies for bacterial survival.

Most recently she began a collaboration with Dr. Lillian Radoshevich to study virulence in Listeria monocytogenes. More specifically, we are investigating proteins secreted in the animal host environment. We are employing target gene knockouts and CRISPRi for this project.

We continue to work on the movement of bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes from hog farm manure to soil and water. Our first paper that came out in 2019, open the door for many future studies. As covid permits, we will return to our hospital studies on the antibacterial properties of copper alloys in patient rooms.

At Grinnell, Hinsa-Leasure teaches courses in microbiology, immunology, cell biology and microbial pathogenesis. She also maintains an active laboratory with undergraduate students.

Hinsa-Leasure earned her B.S. in bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. from Dartmouth Medical School in molecular and cellular biology.