Student Seminar
November 21, 2025
Friday, November 21, 2025,
Location: University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, Room TBA
Immediately following the presentation, an informal meet-and-greet/coffee hour will be held.
Please register BELOW
Dr. Ann W. Thompson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Portland State University
Portland, OR 97201
What I learned from the unseen world: My journey to a career in Microbiology
Dr. Thompson’s Personal Statement: My professional goal is to connect humankind to the importance of microbial life on Earth. Through my research program, I work toward this goal by examining the most abundant photosynthetic cells on Earth, the marine picocyanobacteria, and how they drive energy and nutrient flow in the vast open ocean. Through my teaching and mentorship at the MIS (Portland State University), I work toward this goal by training students from traditionally underserved backgrounds in Microbiology and Geosciences. And, through my public outreach, I create a high school curriculum in collaboration with STEM teachers, bringing microbial inquiry to the high school classroom. The ASMDL program appeals as a way to give back to the ASM community and to learn Microbiology more deeply myself. As a female scientist, with experience in academia and biotech, I envision connecting with diverse undergraduates, graduate students, research specialists, and postdocs, contributing my perspective on career decisions and bringing an enhanced perspective back to my students at PSU.