Heidi B. Kaplan, Ph.D.

Heidi B. Kaplan, Ph.D.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Heidi B. Kaplan, Ph.D., is associate professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at McGovern Medical School, part of UTHealth, Houston. She received her Ph.D. in Microbiology at Cornell with E. Peter Greenberg, studying Vibrio fisheri autoinduction, which became known as quorum signaling. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University with Dale Kaiser studying Myxococcus xanthus development.
 
Kaplan’s research focuses on the complex behavioral responses of bacterial communities to their changing environment. She has a special interest in the cell-cell communication of surface-attached communities, termed biofilms. Specifically, her group examines the physiology, interactions and dynamics orchestrating the developmental programs that control the initiation and dissolution of a variety of model biofilms.
 
Kaplan is excited to represent the Texas ASM Branch as their councilor. Her extensive involvement with the Texas Branch includes serving as President and Secretary. Kaplan has served ASM as chair of the ASM Distinguished Lecturer Committee and as a member of the Career Development Grants for Postdoctoral Women Committee. In addition, she is advisor to the very active Texas Medical Center ASM Graduate Student and Postdoc Chapter. Kaplan also served as chair of the ASM Conferences on Cell-Cell Communication in Bacteria and Prokaryotic Development.