Lisa M Bowers

Lisa M Bowers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at St. Olaf College. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed postdoctoral training as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California-Berkeley (2007-2010). Her teaching responsibilities include courses in Microbiology, Intermediate Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biology of Women, and Directed Undergraduate Research.

Her research investigates fundamental questions in bacterial development using Caulobacter crescentus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa model systems. Key focus areas include:

• Genetic control of asymmetric cell division and daughter-cell differentiation
• Protein localization dynamics during bacterial cell cycles
• Biofilm formation mechanisms and mitigation strategies
• Synthetic biology applications (iGEM)

She employs diverse techniques including fluorescent microscopy, genetic screens, gene knockouts, GFP tagging, and biochemical assays.

She has received the NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship award for her early-career research contributions.

Professor Bowers directs the Bowers Lab (Lab Website), which studies bacterial gene expression and nutrient uptake while maintaining a commitment to inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist research culture. She mentors undergraduate researchers through project-based learning in microbiology and genetics.