Profile
Andrew Jezewski
Genetics and Biochemistry
Assistant Professor
864-656-1859
Life Sciences Building 49A [Office]
Life Sciences Building 60A [Lab]
Educational Background
Postdoctoral Fellow, Lab of Damian Krysan, University of Iowa, 2019-2024
PhD, Microbiology - Lab of Audrey Odom John, Washington University in St. Louis, 2019
BS, Biotechnology, University of Nebraska - Omaha, 2012
BSBA, Business Administration - Accounting, University of Nebraska - Omaha, 2012
Profile/About Me
I am an assistant professor in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, with a research program focused on molecular mycology, particularly the study of Cryptococcus neoformans, a major eukaryotic pathogen. My academic background includes a BS in Biotechnology and a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Nebraska Omaha, followed by a PhD in Microbiology from Washington University in St. Louis. I completed my postdoctoral training at the University of Iowa, where I deepened my expertise in genetic screening, fungal biology, enzyme assay development, and animal models to explore pathogen biology and virulence.
I am committed to creating an environment where scientific curiosity and hands-on experience are at the forefront. The scientific process, in my view, requires you to get your hands dirty, and I find great joy in mentoring those willing to roll up their sleeves. “See one, do one, teach one” is a guiding principle in my lab, encouraging everyone to fully understand and share knowledge in each step of our research process.
Research Interests
My research investigates the metabolic and genetic mechanisms underlying virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans, with a specific focus on CO2 tolerance as a novel virulence trait. My ultimate goal is to develop therapeutics targeting Cryptococcus by identifying novel, druggable metabolic pathways. This could lead to antifungal treatments with unique mechanisms of action, providing much-needed options in the fight against fungal pathogens.
I employ a range of techniques to tackle these challenges, including fungal genetics (CRISPR), protein biochemistry, RNA-seq, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), high-throughput drug screening, biochemical assay development, and metabolomics. With structural biology as part of our approach, my team aims to pinpoint metabolic vulnerabilities in C. neoformans that can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. We’re exploring how the pathogen adapts to host-imposed stresses, with the vision of creating novel antifungal scaffolds that could revolutionize treatment for fungal infections.
Selected Publications
Jezewski, Andrew J., et al. “Structural characterization of the reaction and substrate specificity mechanisms of pathogenic fungal acetyl-CoA synthetases.” ACS chemical biology 16.8 (2021): 1587-1599.
Jezewski, Andrew J., et al. “Gluconate kinase is required for gluconate assimilation and sporulation in cryptococcus neoformans.” Microbiology spectrum 10.2 (2022): e00301-22.
Alden, Katy M., et al. “Genetic interaction analysis reveals that Cryptococcus neoformans utilizes multiple acetyl-CoA-generating pathways during infection.” Mbio 13.4 (2022): e01279-22.
Jezewski, Andrew J., Laura C. Ristow, and Damian J. Krysan. “Carbon dioxide potentiates flucytosine susceptibility in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Microbiology spectrum 11.2 (2023): e04783-22.
Ristow, Laura C., et al. “Cryptococcus neoformans adapts to the host environment through TOR-mediated remodeling of phospholipid asymmetry.” Nature communications 14.1 (2023): 6587.
Nielson, Jacquelyn A., et al. “Survival in macrophages induces enhanced virulence in Cryptococcus.” Msphere 9.1 (2024): e00504-23.
Jezewski, Andrew J., et al. “A single Leishmania adenylate forming enzyme of the ANL superfamily generates both acetyl-and acetoacetyl-CoA.” Journal of Biological Chemistry (2024): 107879.
