Dr. Liz Peterson

Dr. Liz Peterson joined Mercer University as a visiting lecturer in 2024 and then as an assistant professor in 2025. Before coming to Mercer, she examined the role of the immune system in zebrafish heart regeneration as a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University. Previously, she obtained her Ph.D. in biology with a concentration in molecular genetics and biochemistry from Georgia State University, where she biochemically characterized a flavivirus-resistant protein, ABCF3, and reviewed antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Education

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University School of Medicine, Cardiology
• Ph.D., Biology, Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Georgia State University
• B.S., Biological Sciences, University of Georgia

Specialty

Genetics, biochemistry, antibiotic resistance mechanisms and ABC superfamily

Professional Interests

Dr. Peterson’s research centers on uncovering the mechanisms and environmental dynamics of antimicrobial resistance. Her lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of resistance by biochemically characterizing ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family proteins from various Mycobacterium and other bacterial species using a recombinant E. coli expression system. In addition, her research examines how resistance genes move through soil and water environments in response to human activities. To learn more about the lab and apply for undergraduate research opportunities, visit: petersonarglab.owlstown.net.

Other Interests

Dr. Peterson enjoys spending time with her family, including two rescue dogs. She loves reading, listening to podcasts, and welcomes any and all book recommendations. She also likes succulents and any other low-maintenance plant.

Recent Publications

• Sun J, Peterson EA, Chen X, Wang J. ptx3a+ fibroblast/epicardial cells provide a transient macrophage niche to promote heart regeneration. Cell Rep. 2024 Apr 23;43(4):114092. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114092. Epub 2024 Apr 11. PMID: 38607913; PMCID: PMC11092985.
• Peterson EA, Sun J, Chen X, Wang J. Neutrophils facilitate the epicardial regenerative response after zebrafish heart injury. Dev Biol. 2024 Apr;508:93-106. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.01.011. Epub 2024 Jan 28. PMID: 38286185; PMCID: PMC10923159.
• Sun J, Peterson EA, Chen X, Wang J. hapln1a+ cells guide coronary growth during heart morphogenesis and regeneration. Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 13;14(1):3505. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39323-6. PMID: 37311876; PMCID: PMC10264374.
• Sun J, Peterson EA, Wang AZ, Ou J, Smith KE, Poss KD, Wang J. hapln1 Defines an Epicardial Cell Subpopulation Required for Cardiomyocyte Expansion During Heart Morphogenesis and Regeneration. Circulation. 2022 Jul 5;146(1):48-63. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.055468. Epub 2022 Jun 2. PMID: 35652354; PMCID: PMC9308751.
• Sun J, Peterson EA, Jiao C, Chen X, Zhao Y, Wang J. Zebrafish heart regeneration after coronary dysfunction-induced cardiac damage. Dev Biol. 2022 Jul;487:57-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.04.008. Epub 2022 Apr 29. PMID: 35490764; PMCID: PMC11017783.
• Peterson EA, Sun J, Wang J. Leukocyte-Mediated Cardiac Repair after Myocardial Infarction in Non-Regenerative vs. Regenerative Systems. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2022 Feb 21;9(2):63. doi: 10.3390/jcdd9020063. PMID: 35200716; PMCID: PMC8877434.
• Peterson E, Shippee E, Brinton MA, Kaur P. Biochemical characterization of the mouse ABCF3 protein, a partner of the flavivirus-resistance protein OAS1B. J Biol Chem. 2019 Oct 11;294(41):14937-14952. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA119.008477. Epub 2019 Aug 14. PMID: 31413116; PMCID: PMC6791329.
• Peterson E, Kaur P. Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms in Bacteria: Relationships Between Resistance Determinants of Antibiotic Producers, Environmental Bacteria, and Clinical Pathogens. Front Microbiol. 2018 Nov 30;9:2928. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02928. PMID: 30555448; PMCID: PMC6283892.

Contact Dr. Liz Peterson

(478) 301-2048
peterson_ea@mercer.edu
Office: Godsey Science Center, Room 324