Samantha Parks
Principal Lecturer, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies Biology- Education
Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology Microbiology (Biochemistry)
M. Ed Georgia State University Science Education
B.S. Emory University Biology
B.A. Emory University Psychology
- Specializations
CETL Faculty Fellow (2018-2019)
American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Research Section Editor for Journal of Molecular & Biology Education
ASM Discipline Based Education Research (DBER) Mentor
ASM Biology Research Residency Scholar Alumnus
- Biography
Dr. Parks’ academic interests are rooted in microbiology and microbial ecology. Specifically, she is interested in how microbial physiology correlates with their niche. Her Ph.D. work was with soil microbes and focused on biodegradation of nitroaromatic compounds. Dr. Parks currently uses Winogradsky columns to cultivate novel soil microbes and characterize the isolates including their phylogeny and antimicrobial resistance profiles. Such work, done as a CURE lab in the Biology Department, contributes to greater knowledge regarding antimicrobial compounds and their efficacy against locally sourced bacteria.
Dr. Parks also conducts Discipline Based Educational Research (DBER) investigating student learning improvements and science identity in both lecture and lab environments. Investigations into best educational practices enable progressive change for academic improvement.