Spencer Bruce, Ph.D.

Spencer Bruce, Ph.D.

Director, Bioinformatics Core
Ph.D., University at Albany (2018)
M.S., University at Albany (2014)
(518) 474-1838

Research Interests

As the Director of the Bioinformatics Core my research interests encompass the convergence of molecular biology and computer science. With a focus on next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis, research computing, phylogenomics, antibiotic resistance, and large-scale data mining, my team and I cater to the evolving needs of the research community and public health initiatives. My background in disease genomics and ecological studies equips the core to tackle diverse challenges, from understanding microbial diversity to elucidating the genomic architecture of infectious diseases.

Beyond academia, my research extends to practical applications, particularly in the realm of infectious disease surveillance and control. Through computational analyses of genomic variation in pathogens, I aim to contribute to both human and wildlife health. My work on diseases like anthrax underscores my commitment to unraveling complex biological systems. By leveraging advanced analytical techniques and fostering collaborations, my team and I strive to advance knowledge in microbial ecology, evolution, and the mechanisms driving disease emergence and transmission

Select Publications
Chaguza C, Smith JT, Bruce SA, Gibson R, Martin IW, Andam CP. Prophage-encoded immune evasion factors are critical for Staphylococcus aureus host infection, switching, and adaptation. Cell Genom. 2022; 2 (11): 100194. DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100194.
Bruce SA, Smith JT, Mydosh JL, Ball J, Needle DB, Gibson R, Andam CP. Shared antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in Staphylococcus aureus from diverse animal hosts. Sci Rep. 2022; 12 (1): 4413. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08230-z.
Bruce SA, Smith JT, Mydosh JL, Ball J, Needle DB, Gibson R, Andam CP. Accessory Genome Dynamics of Local and Global Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Populations. Front Microbiol. 2022; 13 (798175): DOI: 0.3389/fmicb.2022.798175.
Bruce SA, Huang YH, Kamath PL, van Heerden H, Turner WC. The roles of antimicrobial resistance, phage diversity, isolation source and selection in shaping the genomic architecture of Bacillus anthracis. Microb Genom. 2021; 7 (8): 000616. DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000616.
Bruce SA, Schiraldi NJ, Kamath PL, Easterday WR, Turner WC. A classification framework for Bacillus anthracis defined by global genomic structure. Evol Appl. 2020; 13 (5): 935-944. DOI: 10.1111/eva.12911.
Full publication listing