Dr. Dave Westenberg is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He earned his PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles. Dave fell in love with the microbial world as an undergraduate student. Like most of us he initially thought of microbiology as dealing with disease causing organisms but quickly grew to appreciate the incredible structural, physiological and genetic diversity of microorganisms and their critical role for life on Earth.
His passion is now sharing the fascinating world of microorganisms with others. He has been active in microbiology education as an American Society for Microbiology Scholar-in-Residence (now called Biology Scholars) and has chaired the ASM Committee on K-12 Education and Outreach. He has received awards for teaching and advising including the Missouri S&T Class of ’42 Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award and Alumni Outstanding Advisor Award and the 2017 Science Educator Award from the Academy of Sciences, Saint Louis. He is a National Academy of Science Education Fellow in Life Sciences and an HHMI Biointeractive Teaching Ambassador. His laboratory studies the role of root associated microorganisms on plant nutrition and bioremediation.