Welcome to the USF Microbiomes Institute

Who we are

The USF Microbiomes Institute is an initiative to merge and integrate interdisciplinary researchers and departments from the University of South Florida (USF), USF Health, Tampa General Hospital, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, and Moffitt Cancer Center. Its particular focus is on microbiome studies in soil, water, plants, animals, food, and human health.

The Institute intends to join different departments and colleges, from engineering to business, and create opportunities for transdisciplinary projects with new approaches to microbiome studies.

Composed of several working groups such as Education and Training, Data Analysis, Infrastructures, Core Facilities, and Scientific programs, we integrate academics with industry, promoting partnerships with colleges and departments to share experiences and enhance research and knowledge in the microbiome field.

Microbiome Seminar

December 11th.

Dec 11

Microbiome Club Event - Dr. Shalini Jain

Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
"Microbiome and Brain Health in Geriatric Cancer Survivors."

Shalini Jain, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair
Faculty, Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair
Faculty, USF Center for Microbiome Research, Institute for Microbiomes

Limited parking is available for those who do not have a USF Tampa campus student or employee parking pass.
Light refreshments will be served.

Please register at the link below.

Free

The USF Institute for Microbiomes is thrilled to recognize the outstanding recipients of the 2024-2025 Collaborative and Pilot Microbiome Research Awards.

These projects exemplify cutting-edge research addressing microbiome-related challenges in human health, sustainability, and historical science.

Collaborative Award

Feeding Tampa Bay’s Microbiomes: A Pilot Study

Investigators: Ryan Pace, Usha Menon, Hariom Yadav, Laura Szalacha, Shalini Jain, Jennifer Kue, David Himmelgreen

Focus: Exploring microbiome interventions to enhance nutritional outcomes in underserved populations.

Pilot Awards

A Gut Microbiome Intervention to Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Investigators: Hariom Yadav, Ram Bishnoi, Shalini Jain, Ambuj Kumar

Focus: Investigating microbiome-based strategies to combat cognitive decline in aging populations

LpD3.5 Intervention in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (LIBD) Study

Investigators: Shalini Jain, Scott A. Manski, Hariom Yadav, Ambuj Kumar

Focus: Testing novel microbiome interventions for managing inflammatory bowel disease.

Developing Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Systems for Lunar Habitats: Enhancing Membrane Bioreactor Stability and Microbiome Viability

Investigators: Daniel H. Yeh, Valerie J. Harwood

Focus: Advancing sustainable microbiome-driven wastewater systems for extraterrestrial living environments.

Role of REG3A in Regulation of Gut Dysbiosis in the Context of Alzheimer’s Disease

Investigators: Aurelie Joly-Amado, Kevin Nash, Hariom Yadav, Christian Brechot

Focus: Understanding the interplay between gut microbiomes and Alzheimer’s-related pathologies.

Ancient Plague Proteomes: Investigating Dental Calculus of Black Death Victims

Investigators: Robert H. Tykot, Andrea Vianello, Rays Jiang

Focus: Reconstructing historical microbiomes to unlock the secrets of ancient pandemics.

Ignite Award

The Impact of “Conditioned” Microplastics on Animal Development and Immune Maturation

Investigator: Larry Dishaw

Focus: Examining how microplastics altered by environmental conditions influence developmental and immune processes.

Congratulations to all awardees for their innovative contributions to microbiome science! These projects will significantly advance understanding and application in health, sustainability, and interdisciplinary research.

A direct and compelling headline

2024- 2025 USF Microbiome Research Awards

We are currently accepting applications for the Ignite Award.

These awards are intended to be small, rapid-access awards to 1) help investigative teams maintain momentum on feasibility projects with a high probability of traversing research gaps related to microbiome research, 2) obtain pilot data that will allow for the submission of a subsequent, more extensive extramural grant application, or 3) provide internal funding for new research projects that have been peer-reviewed and scored to help move grants to a fundable range.

Funds will be awarded for up to $5,000 to be spent within a maximum of 3 months of the award. This application process will be rolling, with investigators invited to apply at any time that is convenient to them.

Ignite Award Announcement

Online Course

Microbiomes and Their Impact on Viral Infections

The University of South Florida Initiative on Microbiomes is partnering with the Global Virus Network to offer the online course Microbiomes and their Impact on Viral Infections.

Taught by world-renowned expert instructors, this self-paced, certified, non-credit course will provide you with the latest knowledge on the importance and role of the microbiome in preventing, mitigating, and treating diseases.

More info

Support us

News and Articles

USF provost, research vice president, and Dr. Hariom Yadav honored by ASEMFL for professional accomplishments

Associate Professor Yadav was named a Rising Star for revolutionizing aging research by linking microbiome modulation to improved brain, heart, and muscle health. He heads the USF Center for Microbiome Research and directs the USF Microbiomes Institute. His research focuses on probiotics and dietary interventions in improving health outcomes in aging populations and the microbiome's role in aging among cancer survivors. He is a co-founder of four startup companies translating scientific discoveries into practical applications, authoring more than 166 peer-reviewed publications, and a leader of the state-wide Microbiome in Aging Gut and Brain (MiaGB) consortium.

USF Health receives $3.75 million NIH award to research whether Long COVID may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Job Opportunity

Open Rank Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty in Microbiome Studies at USF

The University of South Florida (USF) and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) are launching an open-rank call to recruit high-level scientists in the field of microbiomes. Essential functions of this position include carrying out research on microbiome, publishing, obtaining high-level grants, including NIH grants, and serving as a Principal investigator, head of a research group, contributing to the recruitment of faculty, and mentoring USF scientists and MDs. Develop philanthropic relationships and contribute to defining strategic plans and scientific and recruitment priorities.

Full Announcement

Funding Opportunities

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): The Role of the Immune System in Aging Brain and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD)

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-AG-24-010.html

National Institutes of Health

National Institute on Aging

Submission: November 12, 2024

Submission: December 31, 2027

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Basic and Translational Oral Health Research Related to HIV/AIDS

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DE-25-038.html

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Submission: January 07, 2025

Submission: January 08, 2028

Transition to Independence Research Grants

https://www.myast.org/grant-opportunities/transition-independence-grants

American Society of Transplantation

Submission: June 15, 2024

Submission: June 15, 2025

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): NIDCR Support for Research on Understanding Phage Biology in the Oral Cavity

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DE-24-014.html

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Submission: October 05, 2024

Submission: January 08, 2028

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Post-Baccalaureate Internship in Plant-Microbiome Research

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-MWA-2024-0334

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Submission: December 06, 2024

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Microbiome Research in Agricultural System

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-PA-2024-0298

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Submission: November 08, 2024

Modulating Human Microbiome Function to Enhance Immune Responses Against Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-22-061.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

National Cancer Institute

Submission: November 05, 2024

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Postbac Fellow in Microbiome and Infectious Disease

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/FDA-CBER-2024-03

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Submission: December 31, 2024

Fellowship in Human Performance, Nutrition, and Gut Microbiology

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USAMRDC-RIEM-2024-0016

U.S. Department of Defense

Notice of Special Interest: Women's Health Research

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-079.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

Submission: November 04, 2027

Global Infectious Disease Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional)

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-174.html

National Institutes of Health

Fogarty International Center

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Submission: August 06, 2025

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Fellowship Research Opportunity in Microbiology, Immunology, and Veterinary Science

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-MW-2024-0135

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Understanding the Intersection of Social Inequities to Optimize Health and Reduce Health Disparities: The Axes Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-24-006.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives

Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office

National Institute of Mental Health

National Institute of Nursing Research

National Cancer Institute

Office of Research on Women's Health

Submission: February 14, 2025

Submission: March 10, 2025

Community Science Program (CSP) Functional Genomic