Check your gut: Microbiome Interactions Related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Host Health
Presenter:
Dr. Rachel Bleich
Assistant Professor, Appalachian State University
Honors Academic Mentor (Biology)
Date:
Friday, September 19, 2025
Dr. Bleich is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University whose work explores microbiomes, microbial communities, and specialized metabolites. Her lab focuses especially on bacterial communication, microbe-microbe interactions, and the roles that different E. coli strains play in inflammatory bowel disease. She uses molecular barcoding and other advanced tools to tease apart how even closely related microbes can behave differently and impact host health.