Matters Microbial #102: Teaching Through the Issues with Microbes! July 31, 2025

Today, Dr. Davida Smyth, Professor of Biology and Deputy Director of the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement at Texas A&M University-San Antonio joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss her impressive work using microbiology to engage students at the intersection of cutting edge research and current events. #MicrobialLiteracy!

Host: Mark O. Martin

Guest: Davida Smyth

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Links for this episode

• The American Society for Microbiology Carski Award website.
• The American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer website.
• The concept of “classroom agreements.”
• The 10:1 (microbial cells to human cells) story, and a related article.
• The 3-2-1 approach to learning in the classroom.
• Dr. Smyth’s “How Toilets Changed the World” class.
• The American Society for Microbiology Curriculum Guidelines.
• The National Science Foundation’s “Vision and Change” website describing improvements in biology education.
• The American Society for Microbiology profile for Dr. Smyth.
• A video seminar by Dr. Smyth describing open science in undergraduate education.
• The website for the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement.
• Dr. Smyth’s faculty website.
• Dr. Smyth’s superb research website.

Intro music is by Reber Clark

Send your questions and comments to [email protected]