Dr. Erin Eggleston joined the Department of Biology at Middlebury College Fall of 2017. Our work focuses on molecular microbial ecology. Professor Eggleston teaches BIOL 140 Ecology and Evolution, BIOL 365 Molecular Microbial Ecology, BIOL 310 Microbiology, and a senior seminar BIOL 449 Extremophiles: conquering Earth’s Extreme Environments. Additionally, I’ve offered BIOL 371 Advanced Field Biology, and FYSE 1560 Gut Check. The Eggleston Lab investigates cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom dynamics in Lake Champlain, and is also interested in the microbial ecology of coral reefs, extremophilic archaea, and much more. More information about lab research efforts can be found here.
The Eggleston Lab stands in solidarity with students, colleagues, and staff in the Black community and those with other marginalized identities. Our lab efforts to break down structures of anti-Black racism align with departmental efforts outlined here.
Professor Eggleston is an active participant in the Microbes and Social Equity group led by Dr. Sue Ishaq at UMaine. In spring 2021, Dr. Eggleston and Dr. Choudoir presented, “Connecting environmental microbiomes to social (in)equity across temporal and ecological scales,” as part of the MSE Speaker Series. A recording of the talk is available here. This seminar was further developed into a paper, “Reciprocal Inclusion of Microbiomes and Environmental Justice Contributes Solutions to Global Environmental Health Challenges.” More information about the MSE group can be found here.
**If you’re interested in joining the Eggleston Lab please email me with your specific research interests, your CV or resume, and your current transcript: eeggleston at middlebury dot edu. In your email include whether you want to volunteer, work for a wage, or carry our independent research for credit. If you are interested in earning credit you will need to attend weekly Ecology & Evolution Subgroup meetings on Weds 12:30-1:20pm**
Before coming to Middlebury College Dr. Eggleston spent a year as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology at St. Lawrence University where she taught Biology 231 Microbiology. Previously she worked as an adjunct faculty member at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Sage College at Albany teaching BIO 110 Environmental Issues, BIO 208L Microbiology, BIOL 2120 Intro to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, and BIOL 4320 Microbiology Laboratory. She completed her PhD in Department of Microbiology at Cornell University in August 2015 in the Hewson Laboratory. Her dissertation research explored aquatic bacterial and viral communities, primarily in Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, using a suite of molecular biological techniques. A full CV can be found here.