Joanna Klein

Joanna Klein is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of St. Thomas, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on bacterial genetics and antibiotic discovery, with a strong emphasis on enhancing biology education through course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). Since 2014, she has collaborated with the Tiny Earth network to incorporate authentic research into her courses and mentor students in her lab.

Dr. Klein holds a PhD in Genetics and a BS in Biology from the University of Iowa (Iowa City, United States). Her educational background in Biology and Genetics supports her interdisciplinary research and teaching.

Her professional service includes roles as an Advisory Board Member at the Luann Dummer Women's Center, Chair of the Tiny Earth Science and Discovery Committee, and Vice President of the American Scientific Affiliation North Star Chapter. She was awarded the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award in 2020, though travel was paused due to the pandemic.

In Fall 2025, she teaches BIOL 356 Microbiology, emphasizing microorganismal biology and its applications in human health, industry, and environmental science. The course includes lab sections (BIOL 356-53 and 356-54) with independent research projects. Students must meet prerequisites including BIOL 207, 208, a C- in BIOL 209, and CHEM 111/112 or CHEM 115.

Dr. Klein's work bridges research and education, prioritizing student engagement in scientific inquiry. She advocates for sustainability in microbiology curricula and collaborates widely to advance scholarship in her field.