Edwin Wong

Edwin Wong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Indiana University, with postdoctoral training at Cornell University. His academic career spans faculty roles at Wells College, Shandong University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, and Salisbury University before joining WCSU.

Research Interests: His lab focuses on applying DNA technologies to address critical biological and environmental issues. Key projects include monitoring toxic cyanobacteria in regional waterways to inform public beach safety, collaborating with Dr. Neeta Connally on pathogen detection in ticks, and tracking invasive zebra mussels via genetic methods. These initiatives intersect ecology, public health, and molecular biology.

Teaching Responsibilities: He teaches foundational and advanced courses such as

• BIO 100: Concepts of Biology
• BIO 101: Freshman Seminar for Biology Majors
• BIO 103: General Biology I
• BIO 410: Topics in Molecular Genetics
• BIO 539: Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes

These courses emphasize scientific methodology, student engagement, and real-world applications in molecular biology and ecology.

Labs & Collaborations: The Wong Lab operates the WCSU Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program, analyzing water samples for toxin-producing species. They also partner with tick research teams to assess pathogen prevalence and collaborate on regional ecological studies.