Zepernick, B.N., Niknejad, D.J., Chase, E.E., Abiodun, B.A., Adler, M.J., Houghton, K.A., Olavesen, J.L., Sarumi, Q., Truchon, A.R., Walton, J.L., Cheshire, J.H., Stanislawczyk, K., Paerl, H.W., Chaffin, J.D., Boyer, G.L., Castro, H.F., Campagna, S.R., Bullerjahn, G.S., Wilhelm, S.W. (2025). The ornithine-arginine cycle supported a toxic, metalimnic Planktothrix rubescens bloom. Harmful Algae.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2025.103008

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***Published by graduate students in the applied learning course MCR 669: Advanced Techniques in Field Microbiology (University of Tennessee - Spring 2024).

Huang, X., Wu, H., Zepernick, B.N., Loa, A., Sun, H., Huang, S., Zheng, Z. (2025). Micro- and nanoplastic stress intensifies Microcystis aeruginosa physiology and toxin risks under environmentally relevant waster chemistry conditions. Journal of Hazardous Materials.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140411 

Huang, X., Chase, E.E., Zepernick, B.N., Martin, R.M., Krausfeldt, l.E., Pound, H.L., Wu, H., Zheng, Z., Wilhelm, S.W. (2025). Contrasting viral infection strategies for single cell and colonial Microcystis populations consistent with Black Queen dynamics. ISME Journal.

https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wraf244

Hart, L.N., Zepernick, B.N., Natowra, K.E., Brown, K.M., Obuya, J.A., Lomeo, D., Barnard, M., Okech, E.O., Kiledal, E.A., Den Uyl, P.A., Achieng, D., Barker, K.B., Basweti, G.M., Beal, M., Byrne, A., Cody, W.R., Kiteresi, L.I., Lawrence, T., Miruka, J.B., Mohney, S., Okutoyi, P., Otieno, D., Owino,m O.A., Owoko, W., Owuor, B., Shitandi, A., Stoll, J., Swaleg, M.N., Tebbs, E.J., Varga, E., Adem, J.A., Adhikari, A., Allan, T., Chepkirui, M., Khan., N.N., Moseti, M., Achieng, T., Radock, L., Olokotum, M., Wilhelm, S.W., McKay, R.M.L., Droulliard, K.G., Sherman, D.H., Sitoki, L., Achiya, J., Getabu, A., Otiso, K.M., Bullerjahn,, G.S., Dick, G.J. (2025). Metagenomics reveals spatial variation in cyanobacterial composition, function, biosynthetic potential in Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya. ASM Applied & Environmental Microbiology.

https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01507-24

Zepernick, B.N., Hart, L.N., Chase, E.E., Natwora, K.E., Obuya, J.A., Olokotum, M., Houghton, K.A., Kiledal, E.A., NSF-IRES 2022 Lake Victoria Research Consortium, Sheik, C.S., Sherman, D.H., Dick, G.J., Wilhelm, S.W., Sitoki, L., Otiso, K.M., McKay, M.L., Bullerjahn, G.S. (2024e). Molecular investigation of harmful cyanobacteria reveals hidden risks and niche partitioning in Kenyan lakes. Harmful Algae.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2024.102757

Zepernick, B.N., Hart, L.N., Natwora, K.E., Brown, K.M., Obuya, J.A., Olokotum, M., Okech, E.O., Keating, N.G., Lomeo, D., Tebbs, E.J., NSF-IRES 2022-2023 Lake Victoria Research Consortium, Sheik, C.S., Sherman, D.H., Dick, G.J., Wilhelm, S.W., Droulliard, K.G., Lawrence, T., Getabu, A., Owuor, B., Shitandi, A., Omondi, R., Njiru, J., Sitoki, L., Otiso, K.M., McKay, M.L., Bullerjahn, G.S. (2024d). Metagenomic sequencing of cyanobacterial dominated Lake Victoria – an African Great Lake. ASM Microbiology Resource Announcements.

https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00798-24

Zepernick, B.N., Boegehold, A.G., Kiledal, E.A., Chase, E.E., Hart, L.N., Houghton, K.A., Martin, R.M., Williams, P.A., Johnson, E.C., Schofield, P.K., Cory, R.M., Chaganti, S.R., Godwin, C.M., Spanbauer, T.L., Dick, G.J., Errera, R.M., Wilhelm, S.W. (2024c). Diel metatranscriptomes capture cyanobacteria-dominated Lake Erie community response to episodic events. ASM Microbiology Resource Announcements. 

https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00659-24

Obuya, J.A., Onyango, H.O., Olokotum, M., Zepernick, B.N., Natwora, K., Otieno, D., Owoko, W., Achieng, D., Otuo, P.W., Keyombe, J.L. (2024). Socioeconomic consequences of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in small-scale fishing communities of Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria. Journal of Great Lakes Research.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2023.09.007

Denison, E.R., Zepernick, B.N., McKay, R.M.L., Wilhelm, S.W. (2024). Metatranscriptomic analysis reveals dissimilarity in viral community activity between an ice-free and ice-covered winter in Lake Erie. ASM Msystems.

https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00753-24

Zepernick, B.N., McKay, R.M.L., Martin, R.M., Bullerjahn, G.S., Paerl, H.W, Wilhelm, S.W. (2024b). A tale of two blooms: Do ecological paradigms for algal bloom success and succession require revisiting? Journal of Great Lakes Research.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2024.102336

Zepernick, B.N., Chase, E.E., Denison, E.R., Gilbert, N.E., Truchon, A.T., Frenken, T., Cody, W.R., Martin, R.M., Chaffin, J.D., Bullerjahn, G.S., McKay, R.M.L., Wilhelm, S.W (2024a). Declines in ice cover are accompanied by light limitation responses and community change in freshwater diatoms. ISME Journal.

https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrad015

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***Awarded International Society of Microbial Ecology Journal Best Paper Award 2024.

Zepernick, B.N., Wilhelm, S.W., Bullerjahn, G.S., Paerl, H.W (2023). Climate change and the aquatic continuum: A cyanobacterial comeback story. Environmental Microbiology Reports.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.13122

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***Awarded Top Cited Article of 2022-2023 in Environmental Microbiology Reports.

Zepernick, B.N., Niknejad, D.J., Stark, G.S., Truchon, A.R., Martin., R.M., Rossignol, K.L., Paerl, H.W., Wilhelm, S.W (2022c). Morphological, physiological and transcriptional responses of the freshwater diatom Fragilaria crotonensis to elevated pH conditions. Frontiers in Microbiology.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1044464

Zepernick, B.N., Truchon, A.R., Gann, E.R., Wilhelm., S.W. (2022b). Draft genome sequence of the freshwater diatom Fragilaria crotonensis 28.96. ASM Microbiology Resource Announcements.

https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00289-22

Zepernick, B.N., Denison, E.R., Chaffin, J.D., Bullerjahn, G.S., Pennachio, C.P., Frenken, T., Peck, D.H., Anderson, J.Y., Niles, D., Zastepa, A., McKay, R.M.L., Wilhelm, S.W. (2022a). Metatranscriptomic sequencing of winter and spring planktonic communities from Lake Erie – a Laurentian Great Lake. ASM Microbiology Resource Announcement. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00351-22

Pound, H.L., Martin, R.M., Zepernick, B.N., Christopher, C.J., Howard, S.M., Castro, H.F., Campagna, S.R., Boyer, G.L., Bullerjahn, G.S., Chaffin, J.D., Wilhelm, S.W. (2022). Changes in microbiome activity and sporadic viral infection help explain observed variability in microcosm studies. Frontiers in Microbiology.

https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffmicb.2022.809989 

Zepernick, B.N., Gann, E.R., Martin, R.M., Pound, H.L., Krausfeldt, L.E., Chaffin, J.D., Wilhelm, S.W. (2021). Elevated pH conditions associated with Microcystis spp. blooms decrease viability of the cultured diatom Fragilaria crotonensis and natural diatoms in Lake Erie. Frontiers in Microbiology.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.598736

Zepernick, B. N., Krausfeldt, L. E., Wilhelm, S. W. (2020). Flaming as part of aseptic technique increases CO2 (g) and decreases pH in freshwater culture media. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods.

https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10355

Krausfeldt, L. E., Farmer, A. T., Castro Gonzalez, H., Zepernick, B. N., Campagna, S. R., & Wilhelm, S. W. (2019). Urea is both a carbon and nitrogen source for Microcystis aeruginosa: tracking 13C incorporation at bloom pH conditions. Frontiers in Microbiology.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01064