Stephanie Mathews

Stephanie Mathews is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University, where she has taught since 2023 after previously instructing at Campbell University from 2016. Her academic focus centers on microbiology education, scientific identity development, and immersive undergraduate research experiences through the SEA-PHAGES program.

She earned her PhD in Microbiology and Forest Biomaterials from North Carolina State University, followed by postdoctoral research in the Departments of Applied Ecology and Plant and Microbial Biology under Drs. Rob Dunn and Amy Grunden. Her educational philosophy emphasizes authentic laboratory experiences to cultivate scientific thinking.

Dr. Mathews actively teaches MB/BIT 210 sections in the SEA-PHAGES program, utilizing Arthrobacter globiformis as host bacterium for phage discovery. Each semester, she mentors 15 students through 6-hour weekly sessions involving phage isolation, genomics, and bioinformatics. Her Fall 2024 section included 10 freshmen, 4 juniors, and 1 senior, demonstrating her commitment to early undergraduate research engagement.

As a core SEA-PHAGES instructor, she participates in national workshops and symposia including the Phage Genomics Workshop and SEA Symposium, contributing to the program's mission of advancing genomic education through structured research curricula.