David Mullin: Rod N' Reel Researcher
It's hard to imagine Tulane scientist David Mullin in white shrimp boots.
Mullin, the new chairman of Tulane's cell and molecular biology department, speaks proudly of his department being listed among the top one hundred biological science departments in the country by the National Science Foundation. In the last year, his research team has made great strides developing new antimicrobial agents that could one day tackle stubborn strep and staph infections.
"We have one compound right now that Tulane is pursuing a patent on that we expect will be a new type of antibiotic to specifically treat infections caused by streptococci" Mullins explains. "It is also extremely effective against Staphylococcus aureus which is the number one cause of nosocomial infections. In fact, we have not yet found a gram- positive bacteria bacterial species that is not killed by this agent."
Mullin and his researchers are conducting in vitro testing and expect to begin animal testing next year. That's just one research project underway in the Tulane cell and molecular biology department. In 2006, the department received $8.3 million in research grants from the National Institutes of Health and other like agencies. Plus, Professor Ken Muneoka, a member of the Cell and Molecular Biology Department just received an additional $7.2 million grant from the Department of Defense.
His department is one of the best in the country and says students are attracted to Tulane because it is one of the few Carnegie level I research universities that encourages undergraduates to participate in research projects through internships, independent study projects, service learning, etc.
Mullin tells no fish tales. In fact, he'll be happy to share with you photos of the big ones he's caught while fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and south Louisiana waterways. Born in Boston, Mullin has spent his life around the sea. In fact, he has family members who worked in the commercial fishing business up north.
On weekends, Mullin trades his antimicrobial agents for his fishing pole. He and his family are building a fishing camp in Empire, Louisiana, an area hard-hit by Katrina, near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Undaunted, Mullin says "I've dug in my heels. This is my home." He is passionate about Louisiana's natural environment and even camps out regularly on Louisiana's lonely barrier islands. "We pitch a tent, get driftwood for fire. Nobody inhabits these islands - we own the island while we're there."
Mullin insists the fishing around south Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico is the best in the country. His biggest catch: a 120 pound yellow fin tuna he nabbed with Tulane organic chemistry professor Harry Ensley.
