Donna Degen

Donna Degen serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment within the College of Sciences at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where she actively develops curriculum and teaches specialized courses in microbiology and antibiotic discovery.

Her academic credentials include:

• M.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio
• B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio

Dr. Degen's scholarly focus centers on Microbiology and Antibiotic Discovery, particularly through her leadership in the Tiny Earth Antibiotic Discovery Network—a global initiative engaging students in soil-based antibiotic research. Her innovative work with Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) transforms traditional microbiology education into hands-on discovery, emphasizing environmental health applications and student-driven scientific inquiry. This approach bridges classroom learning with real-world public health challenges in antimicrobial resistance.

She actively contributes to UTSA's mission through the Tiny Earth Network, which cultivates undergraduate research capacity while addressing critical gaps in antibiotic development. This collaborative framework connects classroom instruction with international scientific efforts to combat drug-resistant pathogens.

Scientific awards were not documented in the provided source material.