Snoeyenbos Award 2016 Recipient

Sandra Roy works with Margaret Riley, Ph.D.  The goal of Roy's thesis and research is to explore the in vitro efficacy of impregnating the lubricating jelly used to insert urologic catheters with potent naturally occurring toxins (members of the colicin protein family) that specifically target the leading cause of CAUTI (uropathogenic E. coli). Incorporation of a cocktail of colicins into this lubricating jelly and its use to coat the catheter prior to insertion will eliminate the primary route of CAUTI infection, will reduce the incidence of colicin resistance, and will leave the urethral microbiome relatively intact.

Catheter acquired urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the leading cause of hospital-acquired infection in the US. They account for nearly 40% of all nosocomial infections. This is due to the fact that one quarter of all hospitalized patients in the U.S. are catheterized and 24% of those individuals will go on to develop a CAUTI. In fact, if a catheter remains in a patient for >7 days, there is nearly a 100% chance of infection. Infection occurs during insertion of the urinary catheter or subsequent invasion of the pathogen along the catheter. Regardless of the source of infection, bacteria or fungi rapidly colonize the catheter and produce dense biofilms. This proves not only painful for the patient, but also dangerous as CAUTI can lead to secondary infections, sepsis, and death. Once CAUTI is established it is virtually impossible to eliminate with conventional antibiotics and requires catheter removal.

The Snoeyenbos Award for Excellence in Graduate Research was established in 1994 in honor of Professor Glenn Snoeyenbos who had been a member of the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. The Snoeyenbos Award is  awarded annually to honor a current outstanding graduate student based upon the student's grade point average, research progress, presentations at meetings and faculty recommendations.