Research Interests/Areas of Expertise:
Investigation of host-pathogen interaction between the murine or canine immune system/dendritic cells and Leishmania species. Characterization of key signaling events required to induce clearance of disease vs. chronicity.

Education & Certifications:
D.V.M.: Cornell, 1998.
Ph.D.: Harvard, 2004.

Teaching:
Co-major professor, Maddie’s Shelter Animal Medicine course, VCS 305X.
Guest Lecturer, Case Study IV; Clinical Correlations, VMPM 378.
Guest Lecturer, Zoonoses, VMPM 536.
Guest Lecturer, Cellular and Molecular Parasitology, VPTH 578.

Selected Publications:

Petersen C.A. and Burleigh B.A.  (2003) “Role for IL-1b in Trypanosoma cruzi-induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy.”  Infection and Immunity, Vol 71(8), 4441-4447.

Woolsey A.M., Sunwoo L., Petersen C.A., Brachmann S.M., Cantley L.C. and Burleigh B.A.  (2003)  “A PI-3 kinase-independent phagosome maturation pathway follows trypanosome invasion of non-phagocytic cells.”  J. Cell. Science., Vol 116, 3611-3622.

Petersen C.A., Krumholz K.A. and Burleigh B.A.  (2005) “Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy Elicited by Toll-like Receptor Signaling” Infection and Immunity,  Vol 73(10), 6974-6980.

Petersen C.A., Krumholz K.A., Carmen J., Sinai A.P. and Burleigh B.A. (2006) “Trypansoma cruzi infection and Nuclear Factor KB activation prevents apoptosis in cardiac cells.” Infection and Immunity, Vol 74(3), 1580-1587.

Mukbel, R. M., Petersen C. A., and Jones D. E. (in press) “Soluble factors from Leishmaniamajor-specific CD4+ T cells and B cells limit L. amazonensis amastigote survival within infected macrophages.”  Microbes and Infection Vol 8(11).

In review:

Fisch, S., Grey, S, Heymans, S, Wang, B, Haldar, S, Pfister, O, Cui, L, Kumar, A, Lin, Z, Sen-Banerjee, S, Das, H, Petersen C.A., Mende, U, Burleigh, B.A., Zhu, Y, Pinto, Y, Liao, R, and Jain M.K. “The Kruppel-like factor KLF15 is a novel regulator of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.”  EMBO.

Mukbel R.M., Patten C., Petersen C. and Jones D.E. (resubmitted) “Macrophage killing of Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes requires both nitric oxide and superoxide.” The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

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Honors & Awards:

• NIH Health Disparities Scholar, 2003-2007
• President 2006-2007, member Veterinary Honor society, Phi Zeta, gamma chapter, Iowa State University, 2004-present.
• Leonard Pearson Veterinary Prize, for professional and academic leadership, Cornell University, 1998.
• Cornell representative to the Smith-Kilbourne USDA/APHIS Foreign Animal Disease Seminar at Plum Island, 1997.
• Cornell University college of veterinary medicine, class of 1954 and 1929 scholarships, 1996-1997 school year.
• International Advisory Council Grant, Cornell University, to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, 1996.
• Havemeyer Fellow, Equine Genetics Center, Cornell University, 1995.
• Runner-up for McElroy award for top graduating Biology major, Johns Hopkins University, 1994.
• Provosts Award for Research and Excellence, Johns Hopkins University, 1993.
• Deans List, Johns Hopkins University fall 1991, spring 1994, year of 1993-94.
• All-Conference, University Athletic Association 1991-92 swimming season.

American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Society of Microbiologists
Association of Shelter Veterinarians


Other links/descriptions for Dr. Petersen:

http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/About/afflfaculty.htm#step

http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/epi/faculty/adjunct_faculty/christine_petersen.html

http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/Current_Research/faculty_list/pqrs.html#p