Rachelle Patterson

Rachelle Patterson serves as Primary Instructor for the HHMI Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program at the University of Pittsburgh. She currently teaches eight course sections (Sec 1090, 1107, 1110, 1135, 1420, 1435, 1445, 1480) across Fall 2024 and Fall 2025 terms, each accommodating 18-20 students with 3 weekly contact hours using Gordonia rubripertincta as bacterial host.

Her research focuses on phage discovery and genomics education, integrating experimental microbiology with bioinformatics analysis through the national SEA-PHAGES initiative. This work emphasizes hands-on genomic annotation, evolutionary analysis, and scientific collaboration among undergraduate students.

As part of the program's educational framework, she utilizes standardized resources including the Phage Discovery Guide, Bioinformatics Guide, and Phage Genomics Guide to facilitate student research. Her instructional approach centers on active learning in bacteriophage isolation, genome sequencing, and evolutionary studies.

Patterson actively participates in the SEA community through faculty workshops and symposia, including the upcoming 2025 Phage Genomics Workshop (December 12-16, 2025) and 2026 SEA Symposium (April 24-26, 2026).