Lauren Collier Hyams (Ph.D. 2000) was Ellen Neidles’ first graduate student, joining our graduate program after completing a B.S. in Microbiology from UGA in 1993. She has published seven papers based on her Ph.D. research, two of which were first author publications in Journal of Bacteriology [1997 & 1998] on benzoate degradation in Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1 and its regulation.  Five of these publications were second author papers that were published in PNAS, Applied Environmental Microbiology, and Journal of Bacteriology [1999-2006].  Upon completion of her Ph.D. with Ellen, Lauren did her postdoctoral research with Andy Neish at Emory University School of Medicine and subsequently joined Horizon Molecular Medicine, LLC in Atlanta, GA as a Senior Scientist and Laboratory Manager (2007).  In 2008, Lauren became the Chief Scientific Officer for Medical Neurogenetics, LLC in Atlanta, GA.