Brian S. Burnes, Ph.D.
 

Professor of Biology
Station 7
Bibb Graves 216D
(205) 652-3442
bburnes@uwa.edu
Degrees: Ph.D., Applied Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2000
B.S., Applied Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1993
Employment Date: Fall 2008
Professional Biography:

Brian S. Burnes has been studying microbial ecology and teaching biology for over 20 years.  He began his academic career at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he received a Ph.D. in Applied Biology for his work on understanding the mechanism used by aquatic bacteria to “breathe” on the metal manganese.  Upon completing his Ph.D., he served as the Senior Microbiologist in the effort to establish the first regional environmental impact statement for Atlanta, GA.  Moving to the greener pastures of Alabama, he became a Professor of Biology, first at Judson College in Marion, AL, then at the University of West Alabama in Livingston.  In these capacities, he has furthered infectious disease prevention by directing numerous water quality monitoring and microbial source-tracking projects throughout Alabama.  He lives in Livingston, Alabama in a 110 year-old house with his wife and History professor Valerie, 4 dogs, and one cat.

 

Classes usually taught:

BY101 Principles of Biology
BY340 General Microbiology
BY 408 The Tombigbee River
BY 495 Research in Biology

Academic / Research Interests:

Infectious disease prevention

Current Projects:

Source-tracking E. coli in various waterbodies in Alabama

 
  Lake Martin Data and Analysis
Recent Publications:

 Bebak, Julie A.,Bruce Wagner, Brian Burnes, and Terry Hanson. 2015. Farm size, seining practices, and salt use: Risk factors for Aeromonas hydrophila outbreaks in farm-raised catfish, Alabama, USA. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 118:161–168.

McAdam, Tara G. and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. A pilot study of the effects of environmental and physiological stress on the conjunctival bacteria of college student contact wearers, BIOS, 85:86-94.

Bebak, Julie, Bruce Wagner, Brian Burnes, and Terry Hanson. Risk factor for Aeromonas hydrophila outbreaks on a catfish farm. Fish Farming News, Auburn University, Summer 2013.

Shaw, Alysia K. and Brian S. Burnes. 2013. Prevalence and susceptibility of multiple antimicrobial-resistant E.coli in the Factory Creek watershed, Sumter County, Alabama, Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science, 84:28-36.

Burnes, Brian S.  2010.  Determining sources of E. coli pollution in Dry Creek, Alabama. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science, 81:12-22.

Burnes, Burnes S.  2003.  Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Fecal Coliforms to Determine Fecal Pollution Sources in a Mixed-Use Watershed.  Environmental Monitoring & Assessment 85:87-98.
Burnes, Brian S. and Thomas DiChristina.  1998. 

Design and Application of Two Rapid Screening Techniques for Isolation of Mn(IV)  Reduction-Deficient Mutants of Shewanella putrefaciens.  Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 64:2716-2720.

Recent Presentations:

Invited Presentations

Burnes, Brian S. 2015. Sources of E.coli in Lake Martin. Middle Tallapoosa River Basin Clean Water Partnership Board, Alexander City, Alabama.

Brian S. Burnes. 2015. Host Origin Analysis of Fecal Microbes in Pintlalla Creek. Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, Montgomery, Alabama.

Brian S. Burnes. 2015. Host Origin Analysis of Fecal Microbes in Little Lagoon. Little Lagoon Preservation Society, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Brian S. Burnes. 2015. Host Origin Analysis of Fecal Microbes. 4th Environmental Health Symposium, Auburn, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2014. Sources of E. coli in Lake Martin, Alabama: The Potential Role of Geese. Alabama Water Resources Association Conference, Perdido Beach, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2013. Sources of E. coli in Lake Martin. Alabama Water Resources Association Conference, Perdido Beach, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2013. Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment of Factory Creek in Sumter County, Alabama. Alabama Water Resources Association Conference, Perdido Beach, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2013. Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment of Factory Creek in Sumter County, Alabama. Sumter County Soil & Water Conservation Committee Meeting, Livingston, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2012. Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Fecal Coliforms to Determine Fecal Pollution Source in a Mixed-Use Watershed. Onsite Sewage Treatment Conference, Auburn, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2009. You can’t get there from here:  Tales of nonpoint source tracking. Onsite Sewage Treatment Conference, Auburn, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2009. You can’t get there from here:  Tales of nonpoint source tracking. Alabama Department of Environmental Management Nonpoint Source Conference, Montgomery, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2007.  Lower Cahaba Pathogen Project: Tracing bacterial origins.  Alabama Department of Environmental Management Nonpoint Source Conference, Montgomery, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2006.  Determining the Sources of Bacteria through Antibiotic Resistance Patterns.  Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Water Quality Monitoring Workshop, Mobile, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2003.  Antibiotic Resistance Analysis: A Method for Tracking Fecal Coliforms.  Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2003.  Antibiotic Resistance Analysis: A Method for Tracking Fecal Coliforms.  Alabama Water Watch Technical Conference, Montogmery, Alabama.
 
Presentations (*Projects mentored for undergraduates)

Brian S. Burnes. 2015. Host Origin Analysis of Fecal Microbes. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.

 *Alesha D. McNeese and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. Is your dirt dirty? Proving Septic tank systems have less nitrate and nitrite contamination than sewer line systems. Alabama Water Resources Association Conference, Perdido Beach, Alabama.

*Samantha McDougal and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. Beyond the 5 second rule: Is the myth of blowing on food to remove bacterial contamination accurate? Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Auburn, Alabama.

*Essence Parrish and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. Transfer of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA from Gym Equipment to Hands. Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Auburn, Alabama.

*Tamara C Smoot and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. Exposure to Candida species in a college environment. Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Auburn, Alabama.

*Abby Carroll and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. Bacterial Count of Discount Retail Ground Beef. Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Auburn, Alabama.

*Alesha D. McNeese and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. Is your dirt dirty? Proving Septic tank systems have less nitrate and nitrite contamination than sewer line systems. Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Auburn, Alabama.

*Avery Smith and Brian S. Burnes. 2014. Do Geese Contribute to the Amount of Escherichia coli Found in Treated Sewage from the Cahaba Waste Water Treatment Plant? Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Auburn, Alabama.

*Samantha McDougal and Brian S. Burnes, Beta Phi, University of West Alabama. 2014. Beyond the 5 second rule: Is the myth of blowing on food to remove bacterial contamination accurate? University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama.

*Abby Carroll and Brian S. Burnes, Beta Phi, University of West Alabama. 2014. Bacterial Count of Discount Retail Ground Beef. University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama. (Dean’s Award)

*Avery Smith and Brian S. Burnes, Beta Phi, University of West Alabama. 2014. Do Geese Contribute to the Amount of Escherichia coli Found in Treated Sewage from the Cahaba Waste Water Treatment Plant? University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama.

*Essence Parrish and Brian S. Burnes, Beta Phi, University of West Alabama. 2014. Transfer of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA from Gym Equipment to Hands. University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama.

*Alesha D. McNeese and Brian S. Burnes, Beta Phi, University of West Alabama. 2014. Is your dirt dirty? Proving Septic tank systems have less nitrate and nitrite contamination than sewer line systems. University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama.

*Grayson, Tara and Brian S. Burnes. 2013. A pilot study of the effects of environmental and physiological stress on the conjunctival bacteria of college student contact wearers. University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama. (Provost’s Award)

*Moore, Joshua and Brian S. Burnes. 2013. Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus on community exercise equipment.  University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama.

*Newburn, Jon Tyler and Brian S. Burnes. 2013. Epidemiology of Aeromonas hydrophila on Alabama catfish farms. University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama.

*Alsabrook, Rufus and Brian S. Burnes. 2013. Water Quality Assessment of Factory Creek in Sumter County, Alabama. University of West Alabama Undergraduate Research Symposium, Livingston, Alabama.

*Moore, Joshua and Brian S. Burnes. 2013. Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus on community exercise equipment.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

*Newburn, Jon Tyler and Brian S. Burnes. 2013. Epidemiology of Aeromonas hydrophila on Alabama catfish farms. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

*Grayson, Tara and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Commensal bacteria on the eyes of college student contact wearers. Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Athens, Georgia.

*Grayson, Tara and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Commensal bacteria on the eyes of college student contact wearers. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

*Shaw, Alysia and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Comparison of bacteria found in the soil of oiled and unoiled communities in an Alabama salt marsh. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

*Newburn, Tyler and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Fish mortality associated with Tombigbee River Locks. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

*LeMay, Katie and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. How long to brush? Bacterial removal efficacy of a powered toothbrush. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.  (Awarded $250 Research Grant)

*Winters, Ereka and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Survey of trees on the Tombigbee River. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

*Garner, Sherilyn and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Taking flight on the Tombigbee River. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

*Taylor, Terry, Richard J Alsabrook, and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Water quality assessment Factory Creek. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

*Alsabrook, Richard, Terry R. Taylor, and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. Water quality assessment Factory Creek. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. and Michael Shelton. 2012. Identifying Sources of
Pathogen Contamination in Upper Fish River, Baldwin County, Alabama. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. nd Michael Shelton. 2012. Identifying Sources of
Pathogen Contamination in Upper Fish River, Baldwin County, Alabama. Alabama Department of Environmental Management Nonpoint Source Conference, Montgomery, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. and Michael Shelton. 2012. Identifying Sources of
Pathogen Contamination in Upper Fish River, Baldwin County, Alabama. Alabama Water Resources Association Conference, Perdido Beach, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2011. Identifying Sources of Pathogen Contamination in Upper Fish River, Baldwin County, Alabama. Southeastern Branch Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Gainesville, Florida.

*Edwards, Bobby H. III, J. K. Moore, and S. L. Garner. 2011. Impact of land usage on a Sumter County, AL, stream.  Southeastern Branch Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Gainesville, Florida. (Awarded a $50 travel award)

Burnes, Brian S. 2011. Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli from the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Humans, Cattle, and Deer.  Southeastern Branch Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Gainesville, Florida.

Burnes, Brian S. 2011. Measuring marsh plant productivity and micro-, meio-, and macro-faunal abundance and diversity in response to oiling in a Northern Gulf of Mexico salt marsh. Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Huntsville, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2011. Measuring marsh plant productivity and micro-, meio-, and macro-faunal abundance and diversity in response to oiling in a Northern Gulf of Mexico salt marsh. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Jacksonville, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2011. Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli from the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Humans, Cattle, and Deer. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Jacksonville, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2011. Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli from the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Humans, Cattle, and Deer. Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Huntsville, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. and Michael Shelton. 20011. Identifying sources of pathogen contamination in upper Fish River. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Jacksonville.

Burnes, Brian S. and Michael Shelton. 2011. Identifying sources of pathogen contamination in upper Fish River. Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Huntsville, Alabama.

*Riley, Zachary, and Brian S. Burnes. 2011. Isolation of Kurthia gibsonii from Bottom of Shoe.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Jacksonville, Alabama.  (Awarded a $50 travel award)

*Riley, Zachary, and Brian S. Burnes. 2011. Isolation of Kurthia gibsonii from Bottom of Shoe. Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists Meeting, Huntsville, Alabama.

*Kennard, Jennifer, and Brian S. Burnes. 2011. Antibiotic Resistance Among Escherichia coli from Human, Bovine, and Equine Samples. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Jacksonville, Alabama.  (Awarded a $50 travel award)

*Kennard, Jennifer, and Brian S. Burnes. 2011. Antibiotic Resistance Among Escherichia coli from Human, Bovine, and Equine Samples. Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists Meeting, Huntsville, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2010. Identifying sources of pathogen contamination in upper Fish River. Alabama Water Resources Conference, Perdido Beach, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. and Michael Shelton.  2010. Identifying sources of pathogen contamination in upper Fish River, Baldwin County, AL.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Normal, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2010. Mitochondrial variation in genetics students. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Normal, Alabama.

*Wilson, Brittany, *Keshonda Summerville, and Brian S. Burnes. 2010. Microbes from professor's shoes.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Normal, Alabama.

*Watkins, Markita, *John McCarter, and Brian S. Burnes. 2010. Comparison and identification of microbes obtained from tap water on UWA campus.  2010. Alabama Academy of Science, Normal, Alabama, 2010.

*Cowan, Cressida, *Ereka Winters, and Brian S. Burnes. 2010. Determining the genera and species of bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae through the observation of biochemical differentiation.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Normal, Alabama.

*Woods, Ryan, *Matthew Miller, and Brian S. Burnes.  2010. A survey of the bacteria and fungi in Alamuchee Creek.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Normal, Alabama.

*Cupit, Stephen and Brian S. Burnes.  2009.  Sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus to penicillin and ampicillin.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.

*Molly Jackson and Brian S. Burnes.  2009.  Survey of soil microbes of the Black Belt region of Alabama.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.

*Turner, Michael, *Justin Kelley, and Brian S. Burnes.  2009.  Study of protists in the Alabama, Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee, Tennessee, and Tombigbee Rivers.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.

*Lawton, Stacy and Brian S. Burnes.  2008.  Changes in antibiotic resistance profiles of human E. coli: 2001-2004.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

*Mosley, Jesse, *Tia McClenney, *Tanya Morgan, *Jesse Lawson, and Brian S. Burnes.  2008.  Lung Capacities at Judson College.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama..

*Jowers, Diane, *Tia McClenney, *Gina Russell, and Brian S. Burnes.  2008.  Microbial load of selected college professors.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2008.  Optimization of a discriminant function for microbial source tracking.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S.  2008.  So, you're a science major?  Then, act like one: some experiences in developing a scientific method curriculum.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

*Taylor, Stephanie and Brian S. Burnes. 2007.  Analysis of antibacterial resistance of known human and nonhuman contaminates using discriminate functions.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskeegee, Alabama.

 *Audley, Maggie and Brian S. Burnes. 2007.  Variation in human fecal coliform antibiotic resistance patterns over three years.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskeegee, Alabama.

*Eubanks, Katie and Brian S. Burnes. 2007.  Variability of antibiotic resistance in surface water fecal coliforms from Dry Creek.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskeegee, Alabama.

*Hood, Stephanie and Brian S. Burnes. 2006.  DNA Testing of E. coli in surface waters using BOX and REP PCR techniques.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Troy, Alabama.

*Glasscock, Lydia and Brian S. Burnes. 2006.  Update on the bacteriological content of Dry Creek.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Troy, Alabama.

*Kastner, Ivy and Brian S. Burnes. 2005.  A longitudinal survey of bacterial antibiotic profiles in surface waters.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

*Evans, Brandi and Brian S. Burnes. 2005. Stability of antibiotic profiles in environmental bacteria.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.

*Givens, Rebecca and Brian S. Burnes. 2004.  Stability of Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Fecal Coliforms.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Montevallo, Alabama.

*Worthington, Jessica and Brian S. Burnes. 2003.  Temporal and Spacial Patterns of Fecal Coliform Sources.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Jacksonville, Alabama.

Burnes, Brian S. 2002.  Bacterial Source Tracking in the Dry Creek Watershed:  Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Fecal Coliforms to Identify Sources of Fecal Pollution.  Report to Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

*Autrey, Kim and Brian S. Burnes. 2002.  Bacterial Source Tracking in the Dry Creek Watershed:  Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Fecal Coliforms to Identify Sources of Fecal Pollution.  Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science.  73 (2): 44.

Burnes, Brian S. and Thomas DiChristina. 1999. Mn4+ Reduction-Associated Genes from Shewanella putrefaciens. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Chicago, Illinois, 1999.

Burnes, Brian S. and Thomas DiChristina. 1998. Application of Two Rapid Screening Techniques for Isolation of Mn(IV)  Reduction-Deficient Mutants of Shewanella putrefaciens.  Eighth International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME-8), Halifax, Canada, 1999.

Haller, Caroline, Brian S. Burnes, Roy Wade, Ellen Taratus, Tinoush Moulaei and Thomas DiChristina.  1998.  Genetic Analysis and Phenotypic Characterization of Fe(III)-, Mn(IV)-, U(VI)-, and Se(IV)-reduction-deficient mutants of Shewanella putrefaciens.  Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Atlanta, Georgia, 1998.Kesavan, Jayathi, Tinoush Moulaei, Maneesha Shah, Brian S. Burnes and Thomas DiChristina.  1997. 

Genetic Complementation Analysis and Phenotypic Characterization of iron reduction-deficient mutants of Shewanella putrefaciens.  Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Miami Beach, Florida, 1997.

Recent Grants:

Burnes, Brian S. 2015. Sources of E.coli in Lake Martin. $5,000 funded by Middle Tallapoosa River Basin Clean Water Partnership.

Morse, Kevin and Brian S. Burnes. 2013.  Public Health Issues - Determining Sources of E. coli in the Cahaba River.  $1000 funded by UWA Research Grants. 

Bebak, Julie, and Brian Burnes. Epidemiology of Aeromonas hydrophila outbreaks on catfish farms. $30,000 funded by the West Alabama Catfish Farmers Association.

LeMay, Katie and Brian S. Burnes. 2012. How long to brush? Bacterial removal efficacy of a powered toothbrush. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Tuskegee, Alabama, $250 funded by the Alabama Academy of Science Research Committee.

Burnes, Brian S. 2010. Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment of Factory Creek in Sumter County, Alabama, $7,000 funded by the Sumter County Soil & Water Conservation Committee.

Burnes, Brian S. 2010. Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment of Factory Creek in Sumter County, Alabama, $624 funded by UWA Research Grants.

Stanton, Lee, Brian S. Burnes, and John McCall. 2010. Measuring habitat utilization, plant growth rates and secondary productivity in response to oiling in a Northern Gulf of Mexico salt marsh, $45,310 funded by British Petroleum/Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium.

Burnes, Brian S. 2008. Identifying Sources of Pathogen Contamination in Upper Fish River, Baldwin County, AL, $1000 funded by UWA University Grants.

Burnes, Brian S. and Michael Shelton. 2008. Identifying Sources of Pathogen Contamination in Upper Fish River, Baldwin County, AL, $48,000 funded by Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program.