Heather Lindberg

Heather Lindberg is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology at Virginia Western Community College, serving as a primary instructor for the HHMI-funded SEA-PHAGES program since 2017. She teaches multiple course sections annually focused on bacteriophage research.

• Bio 101: In situ phage discovery/microbiology
• Bio 102: In silico phage genomics/bioinformatics
• Cell Biology (BIO 206)
• Bio 255: Advanced phage genomics

Her research integrates authentic laboratory and computational approaches using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model host. She specializes in developing undergraduate research experiences that span phage isolation, genomic analysis, and evolutionary studies, emphasizing hands-on pedagogy in both wet-lab and bioinformatics contexts.

Since 2017, Ms. Lindberg has instructed over 25 course sections across 8 academic years, mentoring approximately 350 undergraduate students. Her sections consistently serve predominantly first- and second-year students, with class sizes ranging from 6 to 24 participants across fall and spring semesters.

As an active SEA-PHAGES consortium member, she contributes to this national science education initiative through curriculum implementation, student training, and participation in program workshops and symposia including the 2025-2026 events schedule.