J. David McDonald PhD

I have academic interests in two general area of biology, genetics and pathogenic microbiology. In the area of genetics, I am particularly interested in hereditary diseases, how they occur and what can be done to avoid them or manage them so as to ameliorate their detrimental effects. I have published a number of research papers on these topics as they relate to the human disease phenylketonuria. In the area of pathogenic microbiology, I especially interested in the role of normal flora in the development of bacterial infections. I have recently published a paper about the use of antimicrobials to control the growth of a normal member of the oral microbiota to reduce the incidence of dental caries.

Courses Taught

• Human Organism
• Virology
• Pathogenic Microbiology
• Human Genetics
• General Microbiology

Prince, A., Roy, S., McDonald, J.D. (2022). Exploration of the antimicrobial synergy between selected natural substances on Streptococcus mutans to identify candidates for the control of dental caries. Microbiology Spectrum volume 10, number 3.
Abstract available here.

Academic Positions

• Full Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 2003 to present
• Affiliate Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, KUMC–Wichita, 2013 to present
• Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 1997 to 2003
• Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 1992 to 1997