Biography

Education:  

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Emory University School of Medicine (2015-2018)
Ph.D. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz (2010-2015)
B.S. in Biology, Savannah State University (2006-2010)

Courses:

• General Biology Human Focus (at Rowan University, lecture and lab)
• AP Biology (taught in the Knowledge is Power Program, in Atlanta, GA)
• Principles of Biology I (taught at Georgia Gwinnett College)
• Taught at Spelman College for Women:
  • Cell Biology
  • Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Molecular Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics
  • Senior/Sophomore seminar
• Taught at Emory University: 
  • Cell Biology and Genetics lab
  • Advanced Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology (writing-intensive course with a lab)
  • Foundations of Modern Biology
  • Guest lecture for graduate-level seminar in the Microbiology department

Teaching Interests:  

• Introductory Biology for Biology major and Non-Majors
• Microbiology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Field Microbiology
• Bioinformatics
• Active Learning
• Genetics
• Botany
• Ecology
• Project-based learning 
• Inclusive Science Education

Selected Publications and Presentations:

Watson, R.P., Okafor C.D., Tekle Y.I., “A Project-Based Learning Approach for an Effective Undergraduate Bioinformatics Course” The Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. Accepted

Watson R.P., Okafor C.D., Tekle Y.I., “A Project-Based Learning Approach for an Effective Undergraduate Bioinformatics Course” ASMCUE 2017. Denver, CO July 27-30. Poster Presentation

Watson, R.P., Froehlich, B., Moran, C.P. 2016. “Don’t change the channel: mutational analysis at the cell-cell interface in Bacillus subtilis.” Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) Conference, Tucson, AZ, June 12-14. Poster Presentation  

Watson, R.P., Saltikov, C.W. 2014. “Transcriptome analysis by RNAseq of Shewanella sp. ANA-3 grown on arsenate and other terminal electron acceptors.” Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference, Los Angeles, CA, October 16-18. Oral Presentation

Watson, R.P., Lazcano,I., Saltikov, C.W. 2014. “RNAseq roadmap to respiration in Shewanella.” University of California Santa Cruz Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering (PBSci) Annual Research Conference, Aptos, CA, September 17. Poster Presentation

Professional Memberships:  

• American Society for Microbiology   
• Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research