Jason Furrer, PhD

Photo of Jason Furrer, PhD

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Associate Teaching Professor
Department Diversity Ambassador

(573) 884-4536

Academic Information

Associate Teaching Professor
Department Diversity Ambassador

Office

7 Hospital Dr
Room M306 Medical Sciences Bldg
Columbia, MO 65201
United States

P. (573) 884-4536

Research Interests

  • Bacterial pathogenesis
  • Bacteriology
  • Bacterial Genetics

Areas of Expertise

Investigation into iron and AIEC E. coli involvement in IBD pathogenesis.

Education & Training

Post-Graduate School

2006, PhD, University of Missouri

Awards & Honors

  • 2024 William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence
  • 2019 Career Services Champion and a member of the MU Career Development Network
  • 2017 Selected to the University of Missouri Faculty Scholars (UMFS) cohort from Columbia system campus
  • 2016 Classroom Technology Innovation Support awarded $13,000 by MMI department to direct the use and incorporation of 20 iPads into the classrooms of Micro2800, Micro3800, and other courses (Jan 2016)
  • 2016 Nominated for MU Purple Chalk Award
  • 2015 Undergraduate Honors Graduation Commencement Mentor for Christyl Thurman (BSN, May 2015)
  • 2015 Reviewer for MU Excellence in Education Awards for all 2015 nominees (Apr 2015)
  • 2015 Chancellor’s Invitation for MU Top Faculty Achievers (Mar 2015)
  • 2015 Research Mentor for Brock Musick, Health Sciences Research Internship Program (Spr 2015 semester)
  • 2015 Research Mentor for Joey Murphy, BioSci 4950: Research Opportunities (Spr 2015 semester)
  • 2014 Winner of Passion in Sciences Award from New England Biolabs (Nov 2014) One of 15 overall awardees, 1 of 5 awardees in Inspiration in Science category, featured in 2015 NEB national catalog (pg 259), $1000 travel award
  • 2014 Undergraduate Honors Graduation Commencement Mentor for McKenzie Hamacher (BSN, May 2014) and Zack Stark (BS Biology, May 2014)
  • 2014 Winner of an MU Excellence in Education Award in recognition for outstanding contributions to student learning (Apr 2014)
  • 2013 Undergraduate Honors Graduation Commencement Mentor for Claire Pratte (BSN, Dec 2013)
  • 2013 Research Mentor for Hanna Kleibocker, Summer 2013, University of Missouri Mathematics in the Life Sciences Fellowship Program (via NSF PRISM grant DMS-0928053)
  • 2013 Undergraduate Honors Graduation Commencement Mentor for Alexis Downs (BSN, May 2013)
  • 2013 Honorable Mention - University of Missouri Life Sciences Week poster competition. Iron Sensing of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) and Relevance to Crohn’s Disease Inflammation.
  • 2011 Twin Stars Professor - Kappa Alpha Theta student organization award for dedication to student success
  • 2008 ASM Kadner Institute for Preparation for Careers In Microbiology selected participant (Jul 2008)
  • 2004 1st Place - University of Missouri Life Sciences Seminar Series, voted overall winner for best presentation.
  • 2003 Travel award - American Society for Microbiology. Student travel grant awardee.
  • 2003 2nd Place - University of Missouri Life Sciences Week poster competition. Membrane protein P43 (EntS) participates in enterobactin release from Escherichia coli.
  • 2003 STEM Faculty Preparation Conference - University of Missouri sponsored student representative.
  • 2003 Wakonse Teaching Conference - University of Missouri sponsored student representative.
  • 2003 NIGMS predoctoral training grant fellowship award, University of Missouri.
  • 2002 Honorable Mention - University of Missouri Life Sciences Week poster competition. Export of the siderophore enterobactin in Escherichia coli: Involvement of a 43 kD membrane exporter.
  • 2001 NIH predoctoral training grant fellowship award, University of Missouri.
  • 2001 2nd Place – University of Missouri Molecular Biology Week poster competition. Mutational analysis of the E.coli receptor FepA reveals residues important for ligand binding and transport.

Publications

  • Bachman SL, Sporn E, Furrer JL, Astudillo J, Calaluce R, McIntosh MA, Miedema B, Thaler K. Colonic sterilization for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedures: A comparison of two decontamination protocols.  Surgical Endoscopy.  2009 Vol 23(8):1854-9.  (Impact factor 1.969; Ranking 40/138 in Surgery).
  • Daines DA, Bothwell M, Furrer JL, Unrath W, Nelson K, Melrose N, Grenier L, Apicella M, Smith AL. Haemophilus influenzae luxS mutants form a biofilm and have increased virulence. Microbial Pathogenesis.  2005 Vol 39(3):87-96. (Impact factor 2.258).
  • Endsley JJ, Furrer JL, Endsley MA, McIntosh MA, Maue AC, Waters WR, Lee DR, Estes DM. Characterization of a polymorphic bovine homologue of granulysin and NK-lysin with broad spectrum antibacterial activity.  Journal of Immunology.  2004 Vol 173(4):2607-14.  (Impact factor 6.293; Ranking 11th in Immunology).
  • Furrer JL, Sanders DN, Hook-Barnard IG, McIntosh MA. Export of the siderophore enterobactin in Escherichia coli: Involvement of a 43 kDa membrane exporter.  Molecular Microbiology.  2002 Vol 44(5):1225-1234. (Impact factor 5.634; Ranking 11/88 in Microbiology).
  • Burd RS, Furrer JL, Sullivan J, Smith AL. Murine ß-defensin is an inducible peptide with limited tissue expression and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.  Shock.  2002 Vol 18(5):461-4. (Impact factor 3.318).

BOOKS

  • Appointed as a Digital Faculty Consultant (DFC) for McGraw-Hill to develop a preview of microbiology courses and Connect LMS system for faculty peers (15 attendees to virtual seminars). 2016-present.
  • SME and classroom beta-tester for Pearson on Norman-McKay Microbiology: Basic and Clinical Principles (in development) chapters and online materials. 2016-present.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on Talaro Foundations of Microbiology, 10e textbook. 2016-2017.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on Cowan Microbiology: A Systems Approach, 5e textbook (asset map). 2016.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on Benson Microbiology, 14e lab manual (animations asset map). 2016.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on Talaro/Chess Foundations of Microbiology, 10e lab manual. 2016-2017.
  • SME and beta-tester for the University of Missouri Canvas LMS Pilot w McGraw-Hill deep integration tools, 2016.
  • Contributing/Contracted reviewer for Pearson on Allied Health Micro (in development) textbook. 2015-2016.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on Prescott Microbiology, 10e test bank learning product. 2015-2016.
  • SME and beta-tester for the University of Missouri Canvas LMS Pilot Program, 2015.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on Mastering Microbiology digital learning product. 2014-present.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on LearnSmart Achieve digital learning product. 2013-present.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on MicroPrep digital learning products (laboratory skills section). 2011-2013.
  • Authoring SME for McGraw-Hill on MicroPrep digital learning product (microbio concepts section). 2011-2013.
  • SME and beta-tester for McGraw-Hill on LabSmart digital learning product.
  • SME user, reviewer, and faculty beta tester for McGraw-Hill on Cowan Microbiology Fundamentals: A Clinical Approach,1e and 2e textbook. 2011-present.
  • SME reviewer for Pearson on Visualizing Microbiology (in development) textbook. 2013.
  • Contributing author for Pearson on Visualizing Microbiology (in development) textbook end-of-chapter materials and digital content. 6 chapters. 2013-2014.
  • Contributing/Contracted reviewer for Pearson on Microbiology: Principles in Practice (in development) textbook. 2012-2013.
  • Contributing author and reviewer for Pearson on Tortora Mastering Microbiology, 11e textbook end-of-chapter materials, case study coaching activities, and digital content. 8 chapters. 2012-2013.
  • Contributing/Contracted reviewer for Wiley Anderson Microbiology 2013.

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS and POSTERS

  • Murphy J, Musick B, Swart M, Heidari M, Furrer JL, McIntosh MA. Exploration of Iron Sensing Roles in Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) Virulence.  University of Missouri Life Sciences Week Poster Session, 2015
  • Kleibocker H, Furrer JL, McIntosh MA. The Impact of Iron Conditions on Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) Infection of Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells.  University of Missouri Summer Research Fellowships Expo, Columbia MO, 2013
  • Swart M, Stark Z, Lindsey S, Pierce J, Sanders J, McClure E, Huster C, Furrer JL, McIntosh MA. Iron Sensing of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) and Relevance to Crohn’s Disease Inflammation.  University of Missouri Life Sciences Week Poster Session, Columbia MO, 2013.
  • Awarded “Honorable Mention” in Undergraduate Research Molecular & Cellular Category
  • Swart M, Verbanac J, Louizou S, Officer M, Luna C, Medina L, Millan P, Kelly M, Matovich M, Furrer JL, McIntosh MA. Roles of iron and Adherent-Invasive E.coli (AIEC) in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s Disease.  University of Missouri Life Sciences Week Poster Session, Columbia MO, 2011
  • Furrer JL, Hook-Barnard IG, Ghosh A, McIntosh MA. Membrane Protein P43 (EntS) Participates in Enterobactin Release from Escherichia coli.  ASM 103rd Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 2003.
  • Daines DA, Furrer JL, Coleman HN, Smith AL. Analysis of luxS in influenzae.  ASM 103rd Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 2003.
  • Barnard TJ, Furrer JL, McIntosh MA. Mutational analysis of the Escherichia coli outer membrane receptor FepA.  American Society for Microbiology (ASM) 102ndAnnual Meeting, Salt Lake City, 2002.