Alabama A&M University has joined the Science Education Alliance–Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program, a national undergraduate research initiative. The program is led by the University of Pittsburgh and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) Science Education Alliance.
Since its start in 2008, the Science Education Alliance has helped faculty at two-year and four-year institutions implement course-based undergraduate research experiences. These courses are intended to improve student learning outcomes, help retain students in STEM fields, and give early access to real scientific discovery. Each year, more than 150 institutions participate, involving over 5,500 undergraduates in SEA research projects.
The SEA-PHAGES program focuses on bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria—which are widespread and genetically diverse. Research on these viruses can impact ecology, biotechnology, and human health.
Students in SEA-PHAGES take part in a two-semester research course beginning with soil sample collection to find new viruses. They learn microbiology techniques, genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis. Students have the chance to discover and name their own bacteriophages while contributing data to a national scientific effort.
“Joining the HHMI SEA-PHAGES program represents a transformative step for Alabama A&M,” said Dr. Laricca London, chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. “This initiative, led by Dr. Dana Indihar, assistant professor of microbiology/virology, and myself, will immerse our students in authentic research early in their academic careers, fostering both scientific curiosity and technical skill.”
Alabama A&M was selected as part of Cohort 18 in early 2025 and began offering SEA-PHAGES courses during Fall 2025 through Research in Biology (BIO 481) and Allied Health Microbiology (BIO 220). Biology majors with GPAs of 3.5 or higher receive invitations from Drs. Indihar and London each fall semester; there are limited spaces available for incoming freshmen who apply directly.
“This selection places Alabama A&M among a select group of institutions nationwide that offer undergraduates early, meaningful research experiences in microbiology and genomics,” said London. “This partnership reflects AAMU’s land-grant mission to advance knowledge through research and provide transformative educational experiences, and it underscores our commitment to experiential learning and student success.”
Through this program at Alabama A&M University CALNS (College of Agricultural Life & Natural Sciences), students isolate bacteriophages from local soil samples for genetic analysis using bioinformatics tools. Their findings are submitted to national databases such as GenBank for wider use by scientists worldwide.
Participants also travel to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for imaging work related to their discoveries before submitting results for publication or presentation at conferences like the Annual SEA-PHAGES Symposium scheduled for April 24-26 this year.
“This program changes lives and sets students on the path towards success,” added Indihar. “I participated in this program myself as an undergraduate and was inspired to pursue a career in virology-based research because of it. It is my hope that the students who participate in this program are equally as inspired by it to pursue STEM careers.”
Current participants include Junia Williams from Michigan; Kayci Miles from Georgia; Jade Ray from Montgomery; Mya Hayes from Detroit; Skylar Posey from Detroit; along with Drs. Dana Indihar and Laricca London guiding them through these activities.
