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913-971-3800

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Rion Taylor

Rion G.

Taylor

Professor of Biology
  • PhD; Biology, 2008, Syracuse University
  • BS; Biology, 2000, Augusta State University
rgtaylor@mnu.edu
I believe that studying the natural world is truly a form of worship. The wonders of nature never cease to amaze me. From the smallest virus to the largest mammals, I am always in awe of God’s creation. It is a great privilege to have the chance to share this exploration of biology with pioneering students who will lead the future.
  • 2010 – MacGyver Grant, MidAmerica Nazarene University
  • 2007 – Syracuse University Research Fellowship
  • 2006 – Syracuse University Summer Fellowship
  • 2005 – American Society for Microbiology Travel Grant
  • 2010 Taylor RG, Welch RD. Recording Multicellular Behavior in Myxococcus xanthus Biofilms using Time-lapse Microcinematography. J Vis Exp. 2010 Aug 6;(42). pii: 2038. doi: 10.3791/2038.
  • 2008 Taylor RG, Welch RD. Chemotaxis as an emergent property of a swarm. J. Bacteriol. 190: 6811-6816.
  • 2007 Curtis PD, Taylor RG, Welch RD, Shimkets LJ. Spatial organization of Myxococcus xanthus during fruiting body formation. J. Bactol. 189: 9126-9130.
  • 2007 Suen G, Arshinoff BI, Taylor RG, Welch RD. 2007. Practical applications of bacterial functional genomics. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews. 24: 213-242.
  • 2005 Srinivasan BS, Caberoy NB, Suen G, Taylor RG, Shah R, Tengra F, Goldman BS, Garza AG, Welch RD. 2005. Functional genome annotation through phylogenomic mapping. Nature Biotechnology 23(6): 691-698.
  • 2012 Brumley L, Jacobsen FE, Taylor RG. Zinc homeostasis and swarm expansion in Myxococcus xanthus. Poster presented at NSF PUI conference. Fullerton, California, July 26-28.
  • 2011 Brumley L, Jacobsen FE, Taylor RG. Zinc homeostasis and swarm expansion in Myxococcus xanthus. Poster presented at 46th Midwest/39th Great Lakes Joint Regional ACS Meeting – MWRM/GLRM. St. Louis, Missouri, October 19.
  • 2011 Burks S, Taylor RG. Wavelength induced carotenogenesis in Myxococcus xanthus. Poster presented at University of Saint Mary Science and Mathematics Undergraduate Research Forum. Leavenworth, Kansas, April 26.
  • 2011 Brumley L, Jacobsen FE, Taylor RG. Zinc homeostasis and swarm expansion in Myxococcus xanthus. Poster presented at University of Saint Mary Science and Mathematics Undergraduate Research Forum. Leavenworth, Kansas, April 26.
  • 2011 Cloud MD, Herman BH, Taylor RG. Environmental nutrients affecting predatory success in Myxococcus xanthus swarms. Poster presented at University of Saint Mary Science and Mathematics Undergraduate Research Forum. Leavenworth, Kansas, April 26.
  • 2009 Taylor RG, Norman, RS. Using a metagenomics approach to determine the microbial ecology of hypersaline mats. Poster presented at 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, May 17-21.
  • 2008 Taylor RG, Biers EJ, Bey BS, Norman, RS. Metagenomics of hypersaline mats. Poster presented at Metagenomics 2008. University of California, San Diego, November 3-7.
  • 2007 Curtis PD, Taylor RG, Shimkets LJ. Spatial organization of Myxococcus xanthus during fruiting body formation. For presentation at 34th International Conference on the Biology of the Myxobacteria. Granada, Spain, July 14-18.
  • 2007 Taylor RG, Suen G, Murphy KA, Welch RD. A high-throughput gene disruption system for Myxococcus xanthus. For presentation at 34th International Conference on the Biology of the Myxobacteria. Granada, Spain, July 14-18.
  • 2007 Angus S, Suen G, Taylor RG, Welch RD. Investigation of Myxococcus xanthus fruiting body formation as a phase change. Presented at 34th International Conference on the Biology of the Myxobacteria. Granada, Spain, July 14-18.
  • 2007 Taylor RG, Welch RD. Identification and characterization of transcriptional regulators that control emergent multicellular behavior in Myxococcus xanthus. Presented at Bacterial Locomotion and Signal Transduction IX. Laughlin, Nevada, January 14-18.
  • 2006 Taylor RG, Welch RD. Hunting in Myxococcus xanthus is an emergent behavior that involves genetic components separate from development. Presented at 33rd International Conference on the Biology of the Myxobacteria. Traverse City, Michigan, July 2-6.
  • 2005 Taylor RG, Welch RD. Directed motility in Myxococcus xanthus biofilms: a study of multicellular chemotaxis.Poster presented at 2nd ASM Conference on Prokaryotic Development. University of British Columbia, July 13-16.
  • 2005 Taylor RG, Welch RD. Characterization of response to nutritional gradients by Myxococcus xanthus biofilms. Presented at 32nd International Conference on the Biology of the Myxobacteria. Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, July 10-13.
  • 2005 Taylor RG, Welch RD. Directed motility in Myxococcus xanthus biofilms. Presented at Bay Area Myxobacteria Meeting. University of California, Davis, April 16 and East Coast Myxobacteria Meeting. University of Georgia, April 2.
  • Chair of Pre-professional School Committee, 2011-present
  • MNU Summer High School Science Camp, 2011-present