Robert Osgood

Robert Osgood is an Associate Professor and Program Director in the Biomedical Sciences Program at Rochester Institute of Technology's College of Health Sciences and Technology. With a 23-year prior career as a medical technologist and a postdoctoral fellowship in oral microbiology at UAB, he brings extensive clinical experience to academia.

His educational background includes:

• BS from Jackson State University
• MS and PhD from the University of Southern Mississippi

Dr. Osgood specializes in oral microbiology and infectious disease mechanisms, with research focusing on environmental impacts (pH, oxygen) on pathogenic biofilm formation in conditions like acute otitis media. His expertise spans clinical microbiology, bacterial pathogenesis, and host-pathogen interactions, directly informing his teaching in disease-focused curricula.

His scholarly work examines microbial adaptation in disease contexts, particularly how Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae forms biofilms under varying physiological conditions—a critical factor in treatment-resistant infections. This research bridges laboratory findings with clinical applications in otolaryngology.

He actively mentors students through research-intensive courses (BIOL-295/495, MEDS-290/510) and supports underrepresented scholars via LSAMP and McNair programs, which facilitate hands-on research experiences. His teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning in laboratory settings.

Dr. Osgood directs laboratory instruction for clinical microbiology, overseeing practical training in pathogen identification and emerging infectious disease analysis through courses like MEDS-417/418, where students engage with hospital-relevant diagnostic methodologies.