There are many career options available for individuals with a degree in microbiology—from industry to consulting to working in non-profits. Do you know what career options are available to you? 
"Career Pathways in Microbiology," is a 5-part webinar series that consists of virtual career panels, featuring diverse scientists in industry/biotechnology, climate change, bioeconomy and bioinformatics/data analysis. These sessions are for students, postdocs and anyone who is interested in learning about where a degree in microbiology can take you.
Join us for a series of live, 1.5-hour career panels, each with 3 expert panelists, covering topics, such as career pathways in industry/biotechnology, climate change, bioeconomy and bioinformatics/data analysis. The career panel will explore the available roles, necessary experience and skills needed to enter the field and where to look for job openings in the specific profession. The deadline to register for the series is Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Schedule
Wednesday, April 23, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Industry/Biotechnology
Lauren Saunders, Ph.D.
Field Applications Manager, Ceres Nanosciences
Saunders is a Ph.D. biochemist with experience in protein kinetics, natural products discovery and yeast genetics. She transitioned to industry after a postdoc with the USDA and has worked in research and development, marketing applications and field applications. Her current work focuses on sample preparation for genetic and proteomic analysis.
Nymisha Avadhanam, Ph.D., PMP
Scientist II, Diasorin Group
Avadhanam has her Ph.D. in molecular biology and 5 years of experience in the medical device industry in technical operations, assay deployment and product lifecycle management.Irina Shilova, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Bayer Crop Science
Shilova is an environmental microbiologist. After her postdoctoral research at the Department of Ocean Sciences at UC Santa Cruz focused on understanding marine phytoplankton responses to environmental change, she worked at a biotech startup called Second Genome.Wednesday, May 28, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Climate Change
Allison Pieja, Ph.D.
Co-founder and CTO, Mango Materials
Pieja received her Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford, with a focus on selection of microbes for the production of poly-hydroxyalkanoate from methane. At Mango Materials, she leads scale-up and process optimization of Mango Materials’ process to produce biopolymer from waste methane gas.
Mallory Choudoir, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Soil Microbiome Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University
Choudoir earned her Ph.D. in microbiology from Cornell University. Choudoir's research interests include soil microbial ecology, microbial biogeography, agroecosystems and microbes and climate change.
Taniya Roy Chowdhury, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Woodwell Climate Research Center
Chowdhury received her Ph.D. in soil microbiology from the Ohio State University and did postdoctoral fellowships with the U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. She is a soil scientist and microbial ecologist with a deep-rooted passion for the natural world. Her work focuses on understanding and supporting the environmental processes that allow ecosystems to recover from human impact. Through science, Chowdhury aims to be part of the solution in restoring balance to our environment.
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways: Navigating a Career in Microbial Sciences
Michelle Gibbs, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University
Gibbs' lab investigates how toxic metals affect ribosome function. She is dedicated to undergraduate training and education, providing hands-on research experiences that prepare students for careers in science and medicine. She also developed Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) and engages in education research to enhance science education.
Mondraya Howard, Ph.D., D(ABMM)
Director of Clinical Microbiology, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
Howard’s clinical interests include, diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship, molecular diagnostics and quality improvement of laboratory workflows. She is passionate about training new microbiologists and raising awareness of the public health and clinical microbiology profession.
Yaprak Ozakman, Ph.D.
Research Associate, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Ozakman's research focuses on investigating the pathogenesis of bacterial infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the cause of TB. Specifically, she is investigating the regulation of copper homeostasis, a tightly regulated process balancing the acquisition of copper from the host with avoidance of its toxicity in M. tuberculosis. Ozakman holds a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the George Washington University and is originally from Ankara, Turkey.
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Bioeconomy
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Bioinformatics & Data Analysis
Learning Goals
- Explore the variety of careers in the microbial sciences other than tenure-track faculty careers.
- Learn key skills and experiences needed to enter the profession.
- Connect with mentors in different microbial science careers.
- Understand how to identify which career paths are more suitable for an individual.
- Learn high-level approaches to applying for a job in the microbial sciences.
Format:
- Live, 1.5-hour career panels, each with 3 expert panelists, covering a broad range of topics and career pathways.
- Each panelist will give a 15-minute presentation on their career path, followed by open Q&A from the audience for the remainder of the session.
- Live attendees will receive a resource page on the top 3 communication, management and interpersonal skills needed for the job, where to look for jobs and top employers in the field.
- Attendees will receive a link to each of the panelist’s 15-minute presentation.
Eligibility
You must be an ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿member to register for the webinar series. This series is for those who are interested in learning about career options available in microbiology for themselves or the students they teach. The primary intended audience is high school students, undergraduate students, master’s and doctoral graduate students, postbaccalaureate, postdocs and medical laboratory scientists.Registration Details
You must be an ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿member to register for the webinar series. Get 50% off of ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿membership, .
Deadline to Register is Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Please note that you do not need to attend every session.