Rosana Ferreira

Rosana Ferreira
  • Assistant Professor
She/her/hers

Contact Info

Haworth 4023
Lawrence

Personal Links

Biography —

Rosana holds a B.Sc. (2000) and M.Sc. (2002) in Microbiology from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa (USA, 2007). After obtaining her Ph.D., Rosana did her post-doc studies (2008-2012) at the University of British Columbia (Canada). Rosana was an Associate Professor at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and joinedKU in January 2023, where she is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Molecular Biosciences. 

Education —

Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Iowa, 2007
M.S. in Microbiology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), 2002

Research —

Rosana's research focuses on understanding how the skin microbiome protects humans and animals against skin infections and how different species interact in the microbiome. Specifically, her research group investigates both antagonistic and beneficial bacterial interactions to better understand how microbiome composition is established in different hosts and how it protects us against infections. Her main research interests are the skin microbiota, new bioactive molecules, virulence factors, single and mixed biofilms, and regulation of gene expression in bacteria.

Teaching —

  • BIOL 507 – Bacterial Infectious Diseases Laboratory (Undergraduate, Spring)
  • BIOL 812 - Mechanisms of Host-Parasite Relationships (Graduate, Spring 2025)

My teaching primarily includes teaching bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms (BIOL507 and BIOL812). In my teaching I use active learning techniques and include research projects and papers to give the students an opportunity to think critically about what they are learning and how they can apply that knowledge to scientific questions. Outside of the classroom, I take pride in mentoring and train an international and inclusive group of scientists, including undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees, to conduct research in my laboratory.

Selected Publications —

See all papers by Rosana Ferreira on PubMed

  1. Glatthardt T, Lima RD, de Mattos RM, Ferreira RBR. Microbe Interactions within the Skin Microbiome. Antibiotics (Basel). 2024 Jan 4; 13(1):49.  PMID: 38247608; PMCID: PMC10812674.

  2. Rocha, G.A. and Ferreira, R.B. 2022. Antimicrobial polysaccharides obtained from natural sources.Future Microbiol. 17:701-716.

  3. Teixeira, R.D.; Reis, G.A.; Reviello, J.S.; Glatthardt, T.; Coimbra, L.S.; Lima, C.O.; Antunes, L.C.M.; Ferreira, R.B. 2021. Antibiofilm activity of Cutibacterium acnes cell-free conditioned media against Staphylococcus spp.Braz. J. Microbiol. 52(4):2373-2383.

  4. Campos, J.C.; Antunes, L.C.M. and Ferreira, R.B. 2020. Global priority pathogens: virulence, antimicrobial resistance and prospective treatment options. Fut. Microbiol. 15:649-677.

  5. Glatthardt, T.; Campos, J.C.; Chamon, R.C.; de Sá Coimbra, T.F.; Rocha, G.A.; de Melo, M.A.; Parente, T.E.; Lobo, L.A.; Antunes, L.C.M.; dos Santos, K.R. and Ferreira, R.B. 2020. Small molecules produced by commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis disrupt formation of biofilms by Staphylococcus aureus. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 86(5):e02539-19.

Editors’ choice for the Spotlight section of the issue.

Comment in Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 86(13):e00627-20.