Sandra D. Adams

Sandra D. Adams is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Montclair State University and a core instructor for the national Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program. She has taught over 50 sections of phage discovery and genomics courses (BIOL 112/113) since 2014, specializing in in situ phage isolation using Arthrobacter sp. and Mycobacterium smegmatis hosts across multiple academic terms.

Her research focuses on bacteriophage characterization and genomics within microbial ecosystems, with strong emphasis on:

• Phage-host interaction dynamics
• Bacterial genomics and evolution
• Undergraduate research pedagogy
• Molecular techniques in microbiology
• Phage taxonomy and classification
• Genomic annotation methodologies

Professor Adams has mentored approximately 600 undergraduate students—primarily freshmen and sophomores—across 10 academic years, directing intensive laboratory experiences totaling over 1,200 contact hours. Her instructional approach integrates wet-lab microbiology with bioinformatics analysis through the SEA-PHAGES curriculum.

As an active SEA-PHAGES community member, she participates in national workshops and program development, contributing to the consortium's mission of advancing genomic science education through authentic undergraduate research experiences.