Dr. Shirtliff had studied in University of Houston from 1987-1993 (for B.S.) and in University of Texas from 1994-2001 (for Ph.D., with his thesis entitled "Staphylococcus aureus: Roles in Osteomyelitis”). After spending 3 years in Center for Biofilm Engineering as postdoctoral fellow (2000-2002) and assistant research professor (2002-2003), Dr. Shirtliff was appointed in University of Maryland as assistant professor in 2003 and as associate professor in 2010. At present, he is a professor of both Department of Microbial Pathogenesis in School of Dentistry and Department of Microbiology and Immunology in School of Medicine, University of Maryland. Dr. Shirtliff has have trained as a microbiologist specializing in both in vitro and in vivo systems for the study of biofilms for over 25 years. As an indication of his expertise on the subjects of biofilm-forming microbes and their relation to infectious disease and pathogenesis, he has presented his scientific findings on the subject at 110 meetings and symposia and have orally presented at over 100 national and international meetings/seminars. He has also authored over 120 peer-reviewed scientific papers and book chapters on pathogenic microbes, both their biofilm mode of growth and the chronic diseases that they cause. Dr. Shirtliff has a strong background in organizing highly skilled colleagues in multidisciplinary research. He also has a strong working knowledge of budget development and have obtained over $8 million from state, national (NIH and DOD), and international funding agencies in the past 10 years. He has served on 35 graduate committees and was the primary advisor on 11 graduate students committees (8 PhD, 3 Masters). He has also mentored five postdoctoral fellows, three of which have progressed to faculty positions at other institutions.