Alaina Buchanan

Alaina Buchanan serves as an instructor at Metropolitan Community College, where she acts as Primary and Additional Instructor for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's SEA-PHAGES course BIOS1512 (Phage Discovery) during Fall 2024. This program advances undergraduate research in phage genomics and evolutionary science through hands-on laboratory experiences.

Her research focuses on Microbiology, Genomics, Evolutionary Biology, and Phage Biology, with practical application in phage discovery using Gordonia rubripertincta as a host bacterium. During the Fall 2024 semester, she guided 8 sophomore students through an 8-hour weekly curriculum involving phage isolation and genomic analysis.

Ms. Buchanan actively participates in the national SEA-PHAGES network, utilizing resources like phage discovery guides, bioinformatics tools, and collaborative forums to enhance student research. She maintains direct involvement in program workshops and sequencing initiatives, as evidenced by her Fall 2024 course section.

Contact is available via abuchanan@mccneb.edu, reflecting her institutional affiliation with Metropolitan Community College's science education initiatives.