Samantha L. Wengert
1240 Haslett rd. apt. B12
East Lansing, MI
48823
Phone: 269-598-1723
Email: wengerts@msu.edu
Education
Bachelor of Science
Degree: Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Accumulative GPA: 3.68
Relevant Coursework: General/Inorganic/Organic chemistry, Microbiology,
Microbial Genomics, Virology, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbial Genetics,
Microbial Ecology, Fisheries and Wildlife, Pests, Society and the Environment
Portage Central High School
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Graduated with high honors
Captain of varsity softball and tennis teams
June, 2012
May, 2008
Research Experience
MSU Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, East Lansing, MI
August 2011- 2013
Undergraduate Research Assistant:
 Responsibilities: Prepare media and cultures, gel electrophoresis, PCR
 Characterized the pilus island distribution among bovine and human Group B Streptococcus
strains via PCR-based RFLP
 Examined mRNA expression in a subset of group B Streptococcus strains via qPCR
Research Assistant/Technician:
 Primary techniques used: PCR and DNA sequencing, sequence analysis of 7 loci for multilocus
sequence typing (MLST)
 ERIN and USDA study: Oversaw the culture and isolation of Campylobacter strains from stools
recovered from human patients and cattle feces. Apply MLST and other genotyping techniques
to Campylobacter in order to better understand the distribution and genetic diversity of
genotypes in both populations.
MSU Department of Forensic Biology, East Lansing, MI
June 2011-August 2011
Undergraduate Research Assistant:
 Responsibilities: Assisted in sampling and extracting DNA from underneath fingernails
Scientific Skills
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Media and culture preparation
MLST and sequence analysis
DNA/RNA extraction
RFLP
Tissue culture
DNA sequencing
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Antigen testing
Gel electrophoresis
PCR and PCR purification
qPCR
Bacterial culture and
pathogen isolation
Future Publications
A. Cody Springman1,2, David W. Lacher3, Emily A. Waymire2, Samantha L. Wengert1, H. Dele Davies2, and
Shannon D. Manning1 Pilus distribution among clonal lineages of group B streptococcus (GBS): An
evolutionary and clinical perspective. Submitting to PLoS One.
Campylobacter MLST and genotyping manuscript
Oral/Poster Presentations
Wengert. L. S., A. Cody Springman, H. Dele Davies, and Shannon D. Manning “Pilus Island Distribution
among Human and Bovine Group B Streptococcus (GBS).” University Undergraduate Research and Arts
Forum (UUARF). Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Pediatrics &
Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A. (2012).
Samantha Wengert, Rebekah Mosci, Jessica St. Charles, Wonhee Cha, Duane W. Newton, Hossein
Salimnia, Paul Lephart, Daniel Sundin, Walid Khalife, Julia Bell, Linda S. Mansfield,
James T. Rudrik and Shannon D. Manning. “Genetic Diversity of Campylobacter jejuni Isolated from
Patients in Michigan.” American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Michigan State University, University of
Michigan, Detroit Medical Center, Spectrum Health, Sparrow Health System, and Michigan Department
of Community Health (2013).
Awards
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UUARF first place award recipient; Microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics. 2012
Title: “Pilus Island Distribution among Human and Bovine Group B Streptococcus (GBS).”
Walked with honors, MSU
2012
Dean’s list for seven semesters, MSU
2008-2012
Western Michigan University leadership, scholarship, athletic accomplishment,
2008
and community service award