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Professor Richard Becker

Photo of Professor Richard Becker

Professor Richard Becker, Assistant Chair

Educational Background

Ph.D., 1991, Northern Illinois University

M.S., 1983, Northern Illinois University

B.S., 1981, Northern Illinois University

Contact: Richard J. Becker
 rjbecker@niu.edu,
(815) 753-3307,
Office: Rm 349A
Montgomery Hall
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115

Fields of Interest

  • Bacteriocinogeny
  • thermophilic bacteriology
  • aquatic microbiology
  • computing integration in biology curricula

Representative Publications

  • Restaino, L., E. W. Frampton, W.C. Lionberg, and R. J. Becker. 2006. A Chromogenic Plating Medium for the Isolation and Identification of Enterobacter Sakazakii from Foods, Food Ingredients and Environmental Sources. Journal of Food Protection. Vol 69, N2, pp. 315-322.
  • Frieders, D., Y. Ranganathan, R. Becker, R. Meganathan; 2006. Methylotetracoccus bentleyi gen. nov., sp. nov., A Novel Facultative Methylotroph. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. Submitted.
  • Restaino, L., E.W. Frampton, W.C. Lionberg, and R.J. Becker. 2005. New Chromogenic Plating Medium for the Isolation and Identification of Enterobacter sakazakii. Abstr. Ann. Meet. International Association of Food and Milk Sanitarians (IAFMS).
  • Saffaei, S.M., R.J. Becker and M.J. Starzyk. 1996. Enhanced recovery of Staphylococci in water. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. Q401. p
  • Becker, R.J., A.J. Cooper and M.J. Starzyk. 1993. Evidence for association of bacteriocinogenic activity with membrane vesicles of Thermus rubens. Microbios 73:123-133.
  • Cooper, A.J., R.J. Becker and M.J. Starzyk. 1993. Redesignation of plasmids from Thermus aquaticus YT-1 based on restriction mapping of two co-migrating plasmids. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. H221, p229.
  • Becker, R.J., A. Cooper and M.J. Starzyk. 1991. A comparison of various red pigmented organisms assigned to the genus Thermus. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. N55, p231.
  • Dallas, M.M., R.J. Becker and M.J. Starzyk. 1990. A comparative analysis of plasmid content in organisms assigned to the genus Thermus. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. N69, p261
  • Becker, R.J., M.M. Dallas and M.J. Starzyk. 1989. Studies on the bacteriocin-like agent of Thermus rubens and plasmid pTR1. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. Q94, p345.
  • Becker, R.J. and M.J. Starzyk. 1988. Partial characterization of the bacteriocin-like agent of Thermus rubens. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. N41, p251.
  • Becker, R.J., M.J. Starzyk and E.W. Frampton. 1987. Isolation and partial characterization of the bacteriocin-like agent of Thermus rubens. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. N40, p251.
  • Becker, R.J. 1987. Groundwater standards: general considerations and microbiological parameters. City Management in Illinois 67:4-5.
  • Becker, R.J., D.A. Becker and M.J. Starzyk. 1986. Presence of bacteriocin-like activity within the genus Thermus. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52:1203-1205. 
  • Becker, R.J., D.A. Becker and M.J. Starzyk. 1986. Possible presence of bacteriocin-like activity within the genus Thermus. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. N16, p250.
  • Becker, R.J. and M.J. Starzyk. 1984. Morphology and rotund body formation in Thermus aquaticus. Microbios 41:115-129.
  • Becker, R.J. and M.J. Starzyk. 1984. Morphology and rotund body formation in Thermus aquaticus. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Ill. State Acad. Sci. p18.
  • Becker, R.J. and M.J. Starzyk. 1983. Scanning electron microscopic investigation of Thermus aquaticus. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol. J14, p173. 39:829-838; 1988.

 

Research Interests

I've pretty much given-up "bench science" in lieu of Departmental Administration. Current areas of interest involve the academic computing environment; instructional technology, courseware authoring, and distribution via local area network environments.