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.
Harita Sistu, Ph.D. student in Microbiology, was named a finalist in ‘What’s Your Story?’, a science writing competition sponsored by the online magazine The Scientist in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific.
RoseAnn Vik, a microbiology PhD candidate, was recognized for her excellence in teaching during UMass Amherst’s Graduate Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. In January 2024, she was the recipient of the inaugural Department of Microbiology David Pollack Graduate Teaching Award.
Caroline Tran, a Microbiology senior, was named a UMass 21st Century Leader. Recipients of the award are chosen in recognition of their strong academic records and exemplary achievements. They also further distinguished themselves through intellectual accomplishments and will be recognized for the prestige and honor they bring to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, both as undergraduates and as alumni joining the larger community. The award was presented at the University of Massachusetts Undergraduate Commencement ceremony on May 18, 2024.