Tatum Mortimer
tatumdmortimer.bsky.social
Tatum Mortimer
@tatumdmortimer.bsky.social
Bacterial pathogen genomics and evolution, Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health at University of Georgia, she/her/hers

https://mortimerlab.com/
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Microbiology Postdoctoral Position (Please re-post)

A funded postdoctoral position in Chicago will open in 2026 to study aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis, antigenic variation, genetics, or physiology.
If interested, please get in touch with Hank Seifert
h-seifert@northwestern.edu
October 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Our lab's first paper is out! Led by Jordan Ort, we developed NextClade datasets that enable rapid H5 clade assignment via NextClade. We deployed these during the start of the H5 cattle outbreak, and we finally published the paper in Virus Evolution academic.oup.com/ve/article/1...
Development of avian influenza A(H5) virus datasets for Nextclade enables rapid and accurate clade assignment
Abstract. The 2022 panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses has led to unprecedented transmission to multiple mammalian species.
academic.oup.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
There are half a million cases of invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) every year and while you might know S. Typhimurim and Enteritidis, you may not have heard of S. Panama 💩 🩸 🧫 💊 Check out our latest in @lancetmicrobe.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.la... and the 🧵 below to find out more 1/n
July 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Our lab is hiring!!
We are looking for a research assistant who will be involved with our experimental evolution studies on how stress affects population dynamics in E. coli.
Great opportunity for recent grads!
E-mail for more info and apply here:
ecsr.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
September 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Delighted to see the first version of our new ELife paper. A collaboration with Levi Morran, we show how an intact antibiotic resistance gene (mecA) changes the course of S. aureus evolution on a new host. Kudos to Michelle Su and Kim Hoang for making this happen.

elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
Host and antibiotic jointly select for greater virulence in Staphylococcus aureus
elifesciences.org
September 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
⚠️ New preprint ⚠️: Two new antibiotics are likely coming for gonorrhea 💊. How should we deploy them in the US to minimize drug resistance? @kroster.bsky.social @dhelekal.bsky.social Eva Rumpler @yhgrad.bsky.social [1/10]
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Comparing Strategies to Introduce Two New Antibiotics for Gonorrhea: A Modeling Study
Introduction Drug resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent public health threat. The anticipated approval of two new antimicrobials for gonorrhea prompts the need for evidence-based rollout st...
www.medrxiv.org
July 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Using doxycycline after unprotected sex — doxy PEP — is effective at reducing some sexually transmitted infections in some people. But new research suggests is probably also driving development of resistance to tetracycline antibiotics in some bacteria. www.statnews.com/2025/07/09/d...
Use of antibiotic to reduce STIs appears to be fueling some antibiotic resistance, research shows
The use of the antibiotic doxycycline to reduce STIs appears to be fueling some antibiotic resistance, according to new research.
www.statnews.com
July 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
July 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
The Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center at UGA is looking for an avian microbiologist (open rank, tenure-track position) to lead the bacteriology/mycology diagnostic section! Find out more about the position and apply here: www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/437...
Avian Diagnostic Microbiologist
The University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in the field...
www.ugajobsearch.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
If you are an early career research attending @stihiv2025.org and interested in learning more about data visualization in R, @odileharrison.bsky.social , Sim Dabee, and I are organizing a workshop during the conference (11:30am-1:30pm on Wednesday). Register here: forms.gle/e4UL1NG62PUD...
ECR Data Visualisation Workshop
Please complete this application to attend the Data Viz workshop. This event will be held at the 2025 STI & HIV World Congress in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday, July 30th from 11:30-13:30. Effective...
forms.gle
June 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Dr. Yonatan Grad @yhgrad.bsky.social, Professor of immunology and infectious diseases comments on the potential impact of recent decisions related to vaccines made by Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Read it here at bit.ly/3T2KPqX
RFK Jr. moves on vaccines could have broad ramifications for public health, says expert | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Yonatan Grad, professor of immunology and infectious diseases, comments on the potential impact of recent decisions related to vaccines made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr...
bit.ly
June 23, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
I got the opportunity to speak with Science about my individual research fellowship being terminated. I was awarded the NSF GRFP before I chose Harvard for graduate school, but I still got cut. I study how we can improve treatments for a common antibiotic resistant bacteria, so this is sad to see
May 30, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
All of NIH funding to Northwestern University is frozen. This pause includes noncompeting approved funding, new and competing grants with fundable scores. No reimbursements for money already spent have been received since March. This situation is rarely reported so please Please get the word out!
May 23, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
In this preprint, we consider the explanations for the observed drop in gonorrhea incidence in the US and the evidence needed to evaluate them.

A critical takeaway: without the CDC data & monitoring, we're unlikely to know. Those huge cuts to the CDC undermine efficient, effective healthcare.
May 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
New preprint. After years of increases, gonorrhea diagnosis rates dropped in the US in 2022 and 2023. While the news is promising, understanding WHY is key to sustaining progress.
dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/427...
Why are gonorrhea diagnoses declining in the US?
After a decade of rising cases, the US CDC reported a decline in the rate of gonorrhea diagnoses for two years in a row in 2022 and 2023, especially among young adults. Primary and secondary syphilis ...
dash.harvard.edu
May 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
I'm a current Harvard graduate student and I found out today that I had my NSF GRFP terminated without notification. I was awarded this individual research fellowship before even choosing Harvard as my graduate school
May 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Excited to share the newest preprint from the lab for my first post! Driven by @tayellisonwrites.bsky.social and @ianyyen.bsky.social with Lynne Howell we show the protein FimX has diverged in function away from regulating pilus extension to instead regulate pilus localization in A. baylyi
FimX regulates type IV pilus localization via the Pil-Chp chemosensory system in Acinetobacter baylyi
Type IV pili (T4P) are widespread dynamic appendages required for diverse prokaryotic behaviors including twitching motility, biofilm formation, and DNA uptake leading to natural transformation. Altho...
www.biorxiv.org
May 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Excited to share the first beta release of AMRrules at #ABPHM! (Poster 42 tonight)
interpretamr.github.io/AMRrules
May 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
With nearly all of Harvard Chan School’s direct federal grants terminated, we are relying on philanthropy to power our research and support our educational programs. Every gift, regardless of size, advances our vision of health, dignity, and justice for every human. Support our work: hsph.me/whygive
May 16, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Yesterday, the NIH R35 “Outstanding Investigator” grant to fund scientists in my lab studying antibiotic resistance was terminated for reasons not related to the content of the science, or any actions taken by me or members of my lab
May 13, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Are you able to mentor a summer student and have a good project that can be virtually administered, sign up to be an NSURP mentor today! If you can't, hit that share button please and thank you! #NoLabNoProblem #NSURP
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May 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Our preprint and much other work was only possible because of data generated by the CDC STD lab, which was shuttered in the HHS layoffs last week. This is a huge blow to efforts to monitor resistance, guide clinical care, & inform policy www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c... @helenbranswell.bsky.social
April 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
(1/10) New preprint: Expansion of tetM-carrying Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the US, 2018-2024; Link: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
March 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Although we are not federally funded for this summer, WE WILL STILL RUN The National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP) in 2025. We remain committed to the work that needs to be done and will continue to meet people where they are. 1/4 nsurp.org
NSURP.org
National Summer Undergraduate Research Project
nsurp.org
February 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Tatum Mortimer
Some of the most talented people I know have joined, or were about to join, the EIS. This is an immense loss.
Doing the unthinkable: The deep cuts to the #CDC's workforce today are expected to decimate the Epidemic Intelligence Service, a program that has trained public health rapid responders for decades.
Envy of the world. Poof!
www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/t...
CDC cuts expected to devastate Epidemic Intelligence Service, a ‘crown jewel’ of public health
Members of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service were warned Friday that many of them were about to be fired
www.statnews.com
February 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM