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Erick Motta
- Assistant Professor
- Office:
- HPCT 509
College Station - Email:
- [email protected]
- Website: https://people.tamu.edu/~erick.motta/
Education
- Undergraduate Education
- B.S Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil
- Graduate Education
- M.S. Natural and Synthetic Products, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Ph.D. Plant Biology, University of Texas at Austin
Areas of Expertise
- Microbial Ecology
- Host- microbe Interactions
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Professional Summary
Erick Motta, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. His research program, which focuses on the microbial ecology of host-microbe interactions, utilizes the gut microbiota of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, as an experimental system to explore the processes governing the assembly of specialized gut communities and their impact on host biology. His projects encompass both basic and applied research, aimed at understanding: 1- The effects of agrochemicals and plant toxins on gut microbial communities and the consequences for host fitness. 2- The ability of gut microbial communities to modulate the host immune system and vice-versa. 3- The contributions of both host and microbiota to detoxification processes. 4- The use of defined communities of native bacteria to restore perturbed gut microbiota and prevent infections. His overarching goal is to deepen our understanding of the intricate relationships between hosts and gut microbial communities to improve host health. His work has resulted in high-impact publications and global attention, earning him prestigious awards and fellowships throughout his academic career.