Directory

Gregory Palmer, PhD

About

Originally from Michigan, Palmer received his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Austin where he studied how the nutrients available to pathogenic bacteria affect their ability to cause infections. His interests shifted to environmental microbiology when he began teaching a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) focused on isolating soil microbes after his graduate work. He has supervised over 200 independent undergraduate research projects at UT-Austin and Loyola focused on isolating and characterizing the metabolism of soil microbes. Palmer is passionate about utilizing active and experiential learning approaches to engage students in the classroom and lab. He has taught lecture and lab courses to undergraduates and medical students and has been an active volunteer with the national middle and high school STEM competition Science Olympiad. In his spare time, he enjoys singing and supporting Michigan and Detroit sports teams.

Degrees

• PhD 2012 Cell and Molecular Biology University of Texas at Austin
• BS 2007 Cellular and Molecular Biology and Political Science University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

Professional & Community Affiliations

• American Society for Microbiology
• Science Olympiad National Life Sciences Rules Committee 

Courses Taught

• ENVS 101: The Scientific Basis of Environmental Issues 
• ENVS 238: Foundations of Environmental Science Lab
• ENVS 275: Chemistry of the Environment Lab
• ENVS 323: Environmental Microbiology
• ENVS 350b: Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP): Biogas 

Awards

• 2011 University of Texas at Austin Bruton Continuing Fellowship

Selected Publications

• Corwin, L. A., Runyon, C. R., Ghanem, E., Sandy, M., Clark, G., Palmer, G. C., Reichler, S., Rodenbusch, S. E., Dolan, E. L. 2018. Effects of Discovery, Iteration, and Collaboration in Laboratory Courses on Undergraduates’ Research Career Intentions Fully Mediated by Student Ownership. CBE Life Sciences Education. 17:ar20. 

• Turner, K. H., Wessel, A. K., Palmer, G. C., Murray, J. L., Whiteley, M. 2015. Essential genome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis sputum. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 112:4110-4115. 

• Palmer, G. C. and Whiteley, M. 2015. Metabolism and Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections in the Lungs of Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. Microbiology Spectrum. 3:185–213. 

For a complete list of publications, grants, awards, and affiliations, please see his CV.