Tonya C. Bates

Tonya C. Bates is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She teaches undergraduate courses including Principles of Biology I, Principles of Biology II, and Fundamentals of Microbiology.

• M.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2001)
• B.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1997)
• B.A. in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1997)

Her research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis, particularly Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) and Vibrio species, with emphasis on immune evasion mechanisms and environmental survival. She investigates TLR signaling pathways, NF-κB regulation, and viable but nonculturable (VBNC) bacterial states.

Recent publications (2003-2009) demonstrate expertise in infectious disease immunology, microbial stress responses, and environmental microbiology. Key topics include Lyme carditis modulation, HIV-1 interaction inhibition, and pathogen survival in aquatic environments.

• 2020 UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award
• 2015 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award

Contact: Office in Woodward 214A, phone 704.687.8540 (main) and 704.687.5015 (office), email: Tonya.Bates@charlotte.edu and tcbates@uncc.edu.