James Melton III

James Melton III is a Senior Lecturer in the Biology Department at Spelman College, serving since 2017. He teaches Population Biology (Bio 110), Molecular Biology and Genomics (Bio 125), and specialized courses including Phage Discovery (Bio 350) and Cellular and Molecular Biology (Bio 471).

His educational background includes:

• B.S. from The University of Alabama
• Ph.D. from The University of Alabama

Dr. Melton's research centers on bacteriophage genomics for antibiotic resistance mitigation, conducted via an HHMI-supported Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). His prior work examined Ulva algal blooms and Amoebozoa phylogenetics, reflecting expertise in microbial diversity and molecular systematics. Visualizations of phage-host interactions and genomic analyses are integral to his methodology.

Recent publications reveal strong trends in molecular systematics across phycology and protistology, with growing emphasis on interdisciplinary STEM education frameworks. The 2020 transdisciplinary education paper highlights integration of computational approaches in biological curricula.

Scientific awards:

• No awards documented in source material

Dr. Melton mentors undergraduates through the Phage Discovery CURE program, part of HHMI's national SEA-PHAGES network. While specific grants aren't detailed, the program's institutional adoption indicates collaborative funding. His advisory role focuses on hands-on genomic research training within course structures.

He leads Spelman's Phage Genomics research team, contributing to the HHMI SEA-PHAGES consortium's mission of expanding undergraduate research in microbial discovery.