Megan Valentine

Megan Valentine is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at State University of New York at Plattsburgh, actively involved in the SEA-PHAGES program since 2019 with teaching responsibilities spanning phage discovery and genomics education.

Her research centers on phage genomics using Microbacterium foliorum as a host organism, with specific expertise in microbiology, bioinformatics, and evolutionary science applications. She leads hands-on student research in phage annotation, including the independent project on phage 'Hairyman'.

Dr. Valentine has mentored over 100 students through BIO101 laboratory courses since 2020:

• Fall 2024: BIO101LD (20 students: 10 freshmen, 9 sophomores, 1 junior)
• Fall 2023: BIO101LF (18 students)
• Fall 2022: BIO101LF (18 students: 15 freshmen, 1 sophomore, 1 junior, 1 senior)
• Fall 2021: BIO101LF (20 students: 19 freshmen, 1 senior)
• Fall 2020: BIO101LG (18 freshmen)
• Spring 2025: Bio495 (3 students: 1 junior, 2 seniors) - phage 'Hairyman' annotation

As a core SEA-PHAGES faculty member, she contributes to this nationwide HHMI-funded initiative advancing genomic research through undergraduate education and participates in program workshops and symposia.