The Mehaffy lab focuses on the intersection of undergraduate research and student success, inclusive pedagogy practices, and student engagement and affective response in the classroom. Dr. Mehaffey is also the director for and works closely with MIP CURE Labs. In addition, the Mehaffy lab contributes to collaborative projects in biomedical research related to non-tuberculous mycobacteria and tuberculosis as part of the CSU Mycobacteria Research Labs.
research project
Studying the impact of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) in students
In collaboration with CURE instructors Traci Kinkel, Grace Borlee, and past CURE instructors, the Mehaffy lab studies how students that engage in CUREs shift their science identity, self-efficacy and community values as part of the experience. The Mehaffy lab is also interested in assessing how CUREs can contribute to students confidence in research and laboratory skills.
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research project
Evaluating Students’ perceptions towards active learning practices in the Microbiology and Infectious Disease program
The Mehaffy lab is evaluating how students perceive different types of instructional strategies including active learning practices. This collaborative project expects to provide evidence of how students engage with activities in the classroom and how faculty can implement these strategies to aid student learning. This project is funded by the College Research Council (CRC).
research project
Studying the impact of highlighting scientists in the Microbiology classroom
The Mehaffy lab, with graduate student Gaby Ramirez, is curating a database of Microbiology scientists that can be highlighted in the Microbiology classroom. In addition, the team, which includes Assistant Professor Grace Borlee, will be studying how showcasing scientists in the classroom impacts student’s views of their science identity and of who can be a scientist.
Publications
Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Aqueous Humor From ADAMTS10-Mutant Beagles at an Early Stage of Open-Angle Glaucoma.
Collins E, Harman CD, Jacobson AL, Mehaffy C, Love KR, Komáromy AM, de Linde Henriksen M. Vet Ophthalmol. 2025 Feb 13. doi: 10.1111/vop.13321. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39949047
Systematic review of innate immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection in animal models.
Nieto Ramirez LM, Mehaffy C, Dobos KM. Front Immunol. 2025 Jan 30;15:1467016. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1467016. eCollection 2024. PMID: 39949719
Assessment for Antibodies to Rifapentine and Isoniazid in Persons Developing Flu-Like Reactions During Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection.
Moro RN, Mehaffy C, De P, Phillips E, Borisov AS, Sterling TR, Dobos KM.J Infect Dis. 2024 Nov 15;230(5):1271-1278. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae180.PMID: 38640958
Modulation of riboflavin biosynthesis and utilization in mycobacteria.
Chengalroyen MD, Mehaffy C, Lucas M, Bauer N, Raphela ML, Oketade N, Warner DF, Lewinsohn DA, Lewinsohn DM, Dobos KM, Mizrahi V. Modulation of riboflavin biosynthesis and utilization in mycobacteria. Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Aug 6;12(8):e0320723. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03207-23. Epub 2024 Jun 25. PMID: 38916330; PMCID: PMC11302143.
Upper-level inter-disciplinary microbiology CUREs increase student’s scientific self-efficacy, scientific identity, and self-assessed skills.
Borlee GI, Kinkel T, Broeckling B, Borlee BR, Mayo C, Mehaffy C.J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2024 Apr 25;25(1):e0014023. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.00140-23. Epub 2023 Dec 15.PMID: 38661401
more publications
contact information
Office: Microbiology room B107
Lab: Microbiology rooms B228 and C212
[email protected]
