Seventeen Lee University undergraduate students recently had their research published in the peer-reviewed journal microPublication Biology. The work, “Genome Analysis of Microbacterium foliorum Bacteriophage Annapurna,” was conducted as part of the SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) program during the 2025-26 academic year and is now available in PubMed Central. 

“The SEA-PHAGES program is so impactful because it exposes freshmen to research early in their time at Lee,” said Dr. Lori West, distinguished professor of biology at Lee and assistant chair for the Department of Natural Sciences. “This allows them to jump immediately into research projects as sophomores that would normally be reserved for juniors or seniors.” 
 
The bacteriophage research involved two semesters of work. In the first semester, the research team isolated, purified, and began characterization of novel bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria). In the second semester, they annotated the genome.  
 
“Genome Analysis of Microbacterium foliorum Bacteriophage Annapurna” focuses on one of the viruses that was characterized. The research conducted by this team has contributed to the body of knowledge that is expanding our understanding of bacteriophages that may ultimately lead to clinical applications. 
 
“Through the SEA-PHAGE program, I’ve had the chance to better know and build relationships with my professors and classmates,” said one of the student researchers, Emme Clowdus. “This has opened up a number of opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue otherwise.” 
 
The 17 students who participated in this research include Jadin Allen, Michael Baker, Clowdus, Emily Doughtery, Sallie Hicks, Jessie Holsombeck, Hannah Joseph, Sydney Kruger, Annabelle McDaniel, William Myers, Kevin Perez, Kati Pourfarzib, Sarah Pritchard, Kinley Shelton, Ashtyn Stock, Shelby Stone, and Kelsey Towle. Their faculty sponsors were Dr. Joseph Daft, associate professor of biology; Dana Perry, associate lecturer in health sciences; and West. 
 
“On top of building laboratory skills, this project has greatly inspired me to further discuss and question things from a biological standpoint in each of my natural science classes,” said Myers. “Having the opportunity to conduct this research taught me invaluable skills that I will continue to carry with me as I progress through my scientific career.” 
 
SEA-PHAGES is a two-semester, discovery-based undergraduate research course that begins with digging in the soil to find new viruses and progresses through a variety of microbiology techniques and eventually to complex genome annotation and bioinformatic analyses. 
 
The program aims to increase undergraduate interest and retention in the biological sciences through immediate immersion in authentic, valuable, yet accessible research. By finding and naming their own bacteriophages, students develop a sense of project ownership and have a ready-made personal research project at a fraction of the cost of traditional apprentice-based research programs. 
 
For more information about the SEA-PHAGES program, visit seaphages.org/institution/LEEU. 
 
To view “Genome Analysis of Microbacterium foliorum Bacteriophage Annapurna,” visit micropublication.org/journals/biology.