Dr. Robert Mitchell

Dr. Mitchell is a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). His primary research interest is the study of Bdellovibrio-and-like-organisms (BALOs), bacterial strains that attack and prey on other bacteria – including two groups of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. He and his colleagues at UNIST found that these organisms can also remove the antibiotic resistance genes of their prey bacteria. His work also explores applications of BALOs in industrial and medical facilities and environmental clean-up efforts. He is also interested in the use of bacterial strains for biofuel production.