Kourtev, Peter

• Zlamal, J. and Kourtev, P.S. (2008). Impact of the invasive plant autumn olive ( Elaeagnus umbellata) on soil microbial communities. Biol. Inv.
• Weaver, M. and Kourtev, P.S. (2008). Characterization of the bacterial community in the pitchers of the northern pitcher plant ( Sarracenia purpurea) using PCR-DGGE. Microb. Ecol.
  
• Kourtev, P.S., Konopka, A. and Nakatsu, C.H. (2008) Inhibition of nitrate reduction by Cr(VI) in soil microcosms. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.
• Hill, K.A., Shepson, P.B., Galbavy, E.S., Anastasio, C., Kourtev, P.S., Konopka, A. and Stirm, B.H. (2007). Processing of atmospheric nitrogen by clouds above a forest environment. J. Geophys. Res-Atmos., 112: D11301.
  
• Kourtev, P.S., Konopka, A. and Nakatsu, C.H. (2006). Responses of the anaerobic bacterial community to the addition of organic C in chromium(VI)- and iron(III)-amended microcosms Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 72: 628-637. ​

• B.S., Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1994
• Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2001
• Posdoctoral Position, Cook College, Rutgers University, 2001-2002
• Posdoctoral Position, Purdue University, 2002-2006

• Microbial Communities

Current research projects

I am interested in the the structure of microbial communities, how they are shaped by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors and how they are related to microbial community functions.

My applied research program has been in these areas:

• Microbial community in the rhizosphere of invasive plant species
• Interactions between microbial communities and toxic metals
• Microbial diversity in the gut of wild ruminants
• Microbial diversity in the pitchers of the Northern pitcher plant ( Sarracenia purpurea)
• Isolating previously uncultured bacteria