Gabriella Rizzo, former Microbiology undergraduate (B.S., 2023), was one of two people nationally who was awarded the 2024 SETI Forward Award from the SETI Institute for her undergraduate research accomplishments in the laboratory of Dr. James Holden.
Microbiology department members recently created an image of Photobacterium leiognathi -A bioluminescent gram-negative bacteria, which is a symbiont of ponyfish.
Over the summer, Jeffrey Kane, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, participated in the the Biomedical Emerging Technology Applications (BETA) Summer Fellows Industry Program. The program provided six educators with an eight-week opportunity to learn what it is like to work at a biotech company or institution so that they can better prepare their students for this workforce.
Dr. Wilmore Webley, Professor of Microbiology and Senior Vice Provost of Equity and Inclusion, was recently recognized as one of three Human Service Award recipients at the 35th annual Stone Soul Festival in Springfield.
The following promotions within the Department of Microbiology became effective September 1, 2024: Erika Hamilton is the new Department Head; Yasu Morita has been promoted to Professor of Microbiology; Sloan Siegrist has been promoted to the Associate Department Head for Research and Verena Carvalho will be the Assistant Director for Microbiology Teaching Services.
Dr. Christina Arieta has been recognized by the College of Natural Sciences and is the recipient of the CNS Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Dr. Arieta earned her Bachelor’s of Microbiology (2009) and her Doctorate of Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences (2014) from UMass Amherst. She is currently the Senior Director of Molecular Immunology at BioNTech US Inc. and provides scientific leadership for their next-generation COVID-19 vaccine program, among other aspects of the company's vaccine program.
Dr. James Holden, Professor, was interviewed by The Scientist Magazine about how studying microbes from hydrothermal vents helps to inform our search for life beyond Earth and its relationship with the upcoming Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter's moon.
Students in Heather Reed's freshman seminar, Microbiology 270, Cultivating the Microbiologist in You, painted with Photobacterium leiognathi KNH4. P. leiognathi is a bioluminescent symbiont of fish.