Anja Forche

Anja Forche is a Lecturer in Biology and Neuroscience at Bowdoin College, where she is affiliated with the Biology Department. Her research focuses on the genome integrity of Candida albicans and host-pathogen interactions in vivo. She teaches courses such as Molecular Neurobiology (BIOL/NEUR 2566) and Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience (PSYC/NEUR 2775).

Dr. Forche's work investigates genetic changes in fungal pathogens, particularly the mechanisms of aneuploidy, loss of heterozygosity, and antifungal resistance. Her research employs genomic tools and collaborative studies with institutions like the Berman Lab at Tel-Aviv University and the Dudley Lab at the Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute. She also contributes to resources such as the Candida Genome Database.

Her recent studies explore how Candida albicans adapts to host environments, including the oral niche, and how genetic plasticity drives pathogenicity. Collaborations with global researchers further her investigations into fungal population genetics and clinical isolate analysis.