Robert Fleming

Robert Fleming is a Professor in the Biology Department at Trinity College, actively participating in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program. He serves as faculty for this national initiative integrating authentic genomic research into undergraduate curricula.

His research centers on bacteriophage discovery and genomics, utilizing Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model host system. Through SEA-PHAGES, he contributes to evolutionary biology studies while developing hands-on educational frameworks where students isolate and characterize novel phages. This work bridges microbial ecology with genomic analysis techniques.

In Fall 2014, Professor Fleming instructed course FYSM 170-01 for 11 freshmen, conducting 6 weekly hours of laboratory work focused on phage discovery. His teaching emphasizes immersive research experiences within the SEA-PHAGES collaborative network, which receives HHMI educational funding.

He maintains ongoing involvement in SEA-PHAGES program activities, including upcoming 2025-2026 workshops and symposia, demonstrating sustained commitment to this interdisciplinary educational consortium.