Kerry Geiler-Samerotte

Kerry Geiler-Samerotte is a Professor at Arizona State University actively engaged with the Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program. During the 2019 academic year, she served as Primary Instructor for the Fall in situ (phage discovery/microbiology) section and Additional Instructor for the Spring in silico (phage genomics/bioinformatics) section, both utilizing Arthrobacter globiformis as the host bacterium with 19 students per section spanning sophomore to senior levels.

Her research and teaching expertise centers on bacteriophage genomics, bioinformatics, and microbiology through course-based undergraduate research experiences. She develops curricula integrating computational genomic analysis with hands-on phage isolation techniques, emphasizing evolutionary biology concepts and science education innovation to advance genomic literacy among STEM undergraduates.

Dr. Geiler-Samerotte taught 38 total students across two semesters in structured 8-hour weekly laboratory sessions (T/Th 12:00-4pm) supplemented by Friday open lab hours, collaborating with co-instructor Susanne Pfeifer and teaching assistants Adele Crane and Erin Hong. These courses provided comprehensive research immersion from phage discovery through genomic annotation.

No scientific awards were documented in the provided program records.

As a core SEA-PHAGES faculty member, she participates in this national network advancing phage-based education, contributing to program resources including the Phage Discovery Guide and Bioinformatics Guide while engaging with the community through annual symposia and workshops.