Suparna Bhalla

Suparna Bhalla is an Associate Professor of Biology at Mount Saint Mary College, actively engaged in the HHMI Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program since 2016. She directs undergraduate research in phage discovery and genomics, teaching courses like SCI 1950 and BIO 1140H with emphasis on both laboratory and computational approaches.

Her research focuses on bacteriophage biodiversity and microbial genomics, utilizing hosts including Arthrobacter globiformis, Microbacterium foliorum, and Gordonia terrae. Through the SEA-PHAGES framework, she integrates authentic research into freshman curricula, developing student skills in microbial isolation, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis within national collaborative networks.

Professor Bhalla has mentored over 130 undergraduate students across 11 course sections from 2016-2025, primarily freshmen in hands-on phage characterization projects. Her work contributes to the SEA program's mission of democratizing scientific discovery through structured course-based research experiences. As an institutional leader in the program, she participates in national workshops and symposia to advance phage genomics education.