Rachel Whitaker
Professor, Microbiology
Addressing a Societal Problem to Contribute to the Public Good
Whitaker’s research examines the evolution of archaea, bacteria and viruses in the natural and clinical world. During the pandemic, she began to apply her expertise into more publicly engaged research by examining the networks of microbes within the social-cultural context—a problem of prime interest during COVID-19. Whitaker and Institute for Genomic Biology Fellow Giulia Orazi began a project with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department (CUPHD) to use genomics to study antibiotic resistance. After the first major outbreaks of COVID-19 occurred, Whitaker worked with CUPHD and a team of researchers, volunteers and community partners to try to bring the university-created testing and additional pandemic response resources to communities in Champaign County. Whitaker teamed up with a cross-campus group of University of Illinois professors including Ellen Moodie, Jessica Brinkworth, Gilberto Rosas and Korinta Maldonado, to create off-campus relationships through community action and ethnographic methods. They were able to help counties across the state navigate the pandemic. Collectively, they established the Labor Health Equity Action Project. Whitaker now sees a new research direction for her lab: finding ways to integrate communities and social norms into providing an understanding of how infectious diseases evolve.
Mutually Beneficial Exchange of Knowledge and Resources
Whitaker co-created Cena y Ciencias with parent-teacher associations at nearby schools. They co-developed the program for students and families at dual language schools. Specifically, the program is geared for Spanish-speaking families and their children. Graduate and undergraduate students also participate in the project by assisting with coordination and data collection. As many as 60 families attend program events. The program has been funded through grants received by Whitaker and her colleagues from the National Science Foundation.
Collaboration with Communities or Organizations
Whitaker partners with community-based agencies and schools to support her research. For offer science nights. She co-created this project with the PTAs. She has received external grant funding to support this work.
Impact
Whitaker has had a tremendous impact on the community. Ranging from her efforts to support the Rantoul community during COVID-19 to the Cena y Ciencias program, Whitaker is committed to conducting publicly engaged research with the community.Whitaker has over 50 peer-reviewed publications and national conference presentations showcasing her research. She has edited a book called, “Women in Microbiology,” published by the American Society for Microbiology Press. She also serves as the co-editor of a peer-reviewed journal. She has received internal and external funding (e.g., the National Science Foundation) to support her engaged research.
Outputs
Traditional
Whitaker has over 50 peer-reviewed publications and national conference presentations showcasing her research. She has edited a book called, “Women in Microbiology,” published by the American Society for Microbiology Press. She also serves as the co-editor of a peer-reviewed journal. She has received internal and external funding (e.g., the National Science Foundation) to support her engaged research.
Non-Traditional
Whitaker is currently working on several conceptual and opinion manuscripts, some of which co-authored by the community members and faculty involved in the Labor Health Equity Action Project. Whitaker developed Project Microbe, a series of inquiry-based activities that teach students and others about the three domains of life (Eukarya, bacteria and Archaea). In the Champaign-Urbana area, she works directly with university students, faculty, school districts and the Spanish-speaking community to run Cena y Ciencias, offering science activities to local families in Spanish.
Additional Resources
To learn more about Dr. Whitaker’s publicly engaged research, visit the links below.