Dr. Hua Wang

Area of Expertise: Antibiotic resistance, microbial ecosystems in foods and hosts, biofilms, lactic acid bacteria and Listeria monocytogenes, rapid detection of food borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms.

Research Interest: The main research interest in my laboratory is to systematically reveal key players and mechanisms involved in microbial persistence and resistance to environmental challenges for targeted controls. We conduct fundamental and applied studies at both the ecosystem and the microorganism levels, and have uncovered the potential roles of the food chain and commensal, including beneficial bacteria on horizontal gene transmission and antibiotic resistance (AR) dissemination, and successfully helped the industry achieved the goal of significant reduction of AR in fermented dairy products in just 4 years. Our recent discoveries revealed oral antibiotic administration as a key risk factor for the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance in the global ecosystem and the need to change the route of antibiotic administration for resistance mitigation.

Recent Activity:

• Dr. Wang was selected as the IFT nominee to showcase the impact of USDA-sponsored cutting-edge research on antibiotic resistance and gut health at Capitol Hill (4/5/2017)
• American Society of Microbiology delivered a Conference on Innovative Microbial Ecology for Mitigation of Antibiotic Resistance and Bacterial Diseases, chaired by Dr. Wang https://www.asm.org/images/ASM-Conferences/asm_innovative_ar_web1x.pdf
• The U.S.-UK Global Innovation Initiative team delivered global impact on antibiotic resistance, gut microbiota and health https://oia.osu.edu/china/news/4091-ohio-state-team-delivers-global-impact-on-antibiotic-resistance-mitigation-and-food-safety.html
• Antibiotics: Change Route of Delivery to Mitigate Resistance https://www.asm.org/index.php/88-news-room/journal-tipsheets/91723-antibiotics-change-route-of-delivery-to-mitigate-resistance
• Widespread Use of Oral Antibiotics Could Be a Significant Cause of Antibiotic Resistance https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/researchers-widespread-use-oral-antibiotics-could-be-significant-cause-antibiotic
• Resistance genes in our food supply https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-05/asfm-rgi051707.php
• Experts explain antibiotic resistance and modern diseases associated with gut health at National Conference on Birth Defects (9/2017, Chinese media) http://www.360doc.com/content/17/1209/22/45229161_711650074.shtml
• Oral Antibiotics is a key risk factor for the rapid surge of antibiotic resistance and modern diseases associated with gut microbiota (9/2017, Chinese media) http://xinwen.eastday.com/a/170929171933505.html?xx=1&recommendtype=e
• Antibiotic resistance and applications, how much do you know (7/2017, Chinese media) http://www.sohu.com/a/156350185_299988
• Is “super bug” truly untreatable? (6/2016, Chinese media) http://www.tech-food.com/news/detail/n1283207.htm
• The key causes for the rapid rise of antibiotic resistance (10/2015, Chinese media) http://www.duob.cn/cont/812/188046.html