Dr. Jennifer Greenwich
Assistant Professor
I love reading and exploring outside. I’m on a quest to go to all of the National Park sites in the US! I also keep candy and science themed friendship bracelets in my office for visitors!
Education
Ph.D. Biology, Northeastern University
B.S. Biochemistry and Psychology, Boston College
Contact
jgreenwi@providence.edu
Science Complex LL42 (office)
Science Complex LL15 (lab)
Teaching
Microbiology with Lab (BIO 407/407L)
Research (BIO 395/396/495/496)
Research
Bacterial biofilms are communities of cells attached to surfaces. Bacteria form these communities by secreting polysaccharides (a fancy word for “complex sugars”) that they produce. Bacteria will alter their physiology when in biofilms and behave differently than when they are motile and living individually. They rely on chemical signals to be their eyes and ears and identify the surfaces. I study the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens and am interested in identifying what signals the bacteria use to recognize surfaces and decide “yes, this is where I want to settle down!” A. tumefaciens attaches to plants and injects part of its own DNA into the plant, which recombines into the plant’s chromosomes. The plant then makes a gall, or tumor, and specific food for the bacteria.
Interested in joining the Greenwich Lab?
Send me an email or stop by my office!
Department of Biology
Science Complex
1 Cunningham Square Providence, Rhode Island, 02918
Julie Coccia
Administrative Assistant
Science Complex Administrative Suite 0106A
401.865.2585
401.865.1438
jcoccia@providence.edu
Dr. Patrick Ewanchuk
Department Chair
Science Complex Administrative Suite 0106
401.865.2394
ewanchuk@providence.edu
