Sara Molesworth-Kenyon, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology & Co-Director of Microbiology Certificate Program
School of Field Investigations and Experimental Sciences Dr. Perry College of Mathematics, Computing, and Sciences

678-839-4028
smoleswo@westgaig13xAGms2RlMBaHwA7eJORO9Gxy78dK6Br8DLyPsvN3ey0NXhP2Gxo2.edu

Biology Building - Room 285
Office Hours
by appointment

Download curriculum vitae for Sara Molesworth-Kenyon, Ph.D. in MS Word
Sara Molesworth-Kenyon, Ph.D.

I graduated from the University of Surrey with an honours degree in Microbiology in 1994.  My final dissertation was on the sequencing of the genome of Kyasanur Forest Disease virus.  During my undergraduate degree I spent a year in industry with SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals researching Post Beta Lactamase effect and antibiotic resistance to support the dosing regimen for the drug Augmentin.  After my bachelors degree I entered the lab of Andrew Morgan at the University of Bristol to study Epstein-Barr virus gene expression with a focus on the attachment protein gH and it's chaperone protein gL.  I obtained my PhD in Virology in 1997.  After Graduate school I accepted a 5 year Research Fellow position at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and moved to the United States.  My research changed to focus on both virology and immunology with a move to the University of South Alabama and the lab of Dr. Robert Lausch, a founding scientist in the field of Herpes virology.

 I spent 10 years in the post doctoral research of the genetics of Epstein-Barr Virus and immune response to Herpes Simplex virus infection.  When I joined the faculty at UWG in 2009 I continued to work within the fields of immunology and virology on research into the inflammatory response to HSV-1 infections of the human cornea.

My current research Interests :

I have focused my interests on the neutrophil. Specifically, the involvement of neutrophils in the production of T cell recruiting chemokines during Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) infection of human corneas. In the lab we use a novel ex vivo model for HSV-1 corneal infection in which chemokine secretion by the corneal cells and neutrophils may be studied. During experiments we use human corneal tissue supplied by the Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. and neutrophils purified from donated human blood. Additionally, genetically modified knock out mice are used to support the findings of the human corneal work.  These mice are bred with specific genes deleted and so lack the ability to produce certain immunologically important proteins.  Knock out mice enable to study of the role of an individual protein within the inflammatory cascade produced in response to Herpes simplex virus infection.

I am committed to training undergraduate and masters students at UWG. I have been awarded multiple intramural grants from my College and the Provost to support student research.  Research has been presented at meetings of the American Society for microbiology and published in international peer reviewed journals. Working with undergraduate students within one of only two biohazard level II laboratories here at UWG requires a high level of commitment to train students in protocols and safety. It provides me with great satisfaction when my students successfully graduate to medical college, allied health, or research positions having completed a clinically orientated research experience.

  • B.Sc., Microbiology, University of Surrey, UK, 1993
  • Ph.D., Virology, University of Bristol, UK, 1997

Spring 2025 Sections

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Fall 2020 Sections

S.J. Molesworth, C.M. Lake, C.M. Borza, S.M. Turk and L.M. Hutt-Fletcher. Journal of Virology. 74(14):6324-6332. 2000.

C.E. Thorburn, S.J. Molesworth, R. Sutherland and S. Rittenhouse. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 40 (12):2796-2801. 1996.

S. Molesworth-Kenyon, J.E. Oakes and R.N. Lausch. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 77:552-559. 2005.

S. Molesworth-Kenyon, *A. Mates, R. Yin, J.E. Oakes and R.N. Lausch. Virology. 333:1-9. 2005.

T.M. Tumpey, R. Fenton, S. Molesworth-Kenyon, J.E. Oakes and R.N .Lausch. Journal of Virology. 76(16):8050-8057. 2002.

R.R. Fenton, S. Molesworth-Kenyon, J.E. Oakes and R.N. Lausch. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 43(3):737-743. 2002.

C.M. Lake, S.J. Molesworth and L.M. Hutt-Fletcher. Journal of Virology. 72(7):5559-5564. 1998.

1. Hirose S, Wang S, Jaggi U, Matundan HH, Kato M, Song XY, Molesworth-Kenyon SJ, Lausch RN, Ghiasi H. IL-17A expression by both T cells and non-T cells contribute to HSV-IL-2-induced CNS demyelination. Front Immunol. 2023 Feb 2;14:1102486. doi: 10.3389/fi

Curr Eye Res. 2020;10.1080/02713683.2020.1803921. doi:10.1080/02713683.2020.1803921

2. Young ES, Butler JD, Molesworth-Kenyon SJ, and Kenyon W (2023) Biofilm-Mediated Fragmentation and Degradation of Microcrystalline Cellulose by Cellulomonas flavigena KU (ATCC 53703). Current Microbiology vol. 80, article 200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s

S. J. Molesworth-Kenyon, A. Milam*, A. Rockette*, A. Troupe*, John. E. Oakes and Robert. N. Lausch. Current Eye Research. Sep 10:1-9. 2014. [View Publication (PDF)]

S. Molesworth-Kenyon, *N. Popham, A. Milam, J.E. Oakes and R.N. Lausch. International Journal of Inflammation. Special issue, Ocular Inflammation and Infection. Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 810359 [View Publication (PDF)]

S. Molesworth-Kenyon, R. Yin, J.E. Oakes and R.N. Lausch. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 83:401-408. 2008. [View Publication (PDF)]

Microbiology

Skills include, aseptic technique, tissue culture, microscopy, bio- hazardous material handling, ELISA, viral propagation etc.