Cuong Diep

Cuong Diep serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, actively contributing to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program. His institutional role centers on integrating cutting-edge genomic research into undergraduate education through structured bioinformatics coursework.

His research focuses on viral evolution and bacterial host interactions, particularly utilizing Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model system for phage genomics. Key investigative areas include:

• Computational analysis of bacteriophage genomes
• Evolutionary patterns in viral genetic sequences
• Host-pathogen interaction mechanisms
• Bioinformatics pipeline development for genomic annotation

During Spring 2018, Dr. Diep instructed 23 undergraduate students across multiple academic levels in the BIOL 203-A01 course, implementing a weekly 3-hour in silico curriculum focused on phage genomic analysis. His pedagogical approach emphasizes hands-on computational techniques within the national SEA-PHAGES framework.

As an engaged member of the SEA community, he participates in program-wide initiatives including the annual Phage Genomics Workshop and SEA Symposium, contributing to national science education standards and collaborative research networks.