Dr. Edwards received her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Georgia where she studied microbial fermentation of plant biomass for the production of the biofuel ethanol. Here dissertation project used genetic engineering to design a strain of Escherichia coli that produced plant cell wall degrading enzymes to decrease the need for expensive commercial enzymes during fermentation. After graduation she joined Evolugate, a biotech company in Gainesville, Florida. While at Evolugate she worked on directed strain evolution to improve a variety of industrial microorganisms. Eventually she returned to academia to complete her Postdoctoral studies at the Bioexpression and Fermentation Facility at the University of Georgia. There she received extensive training working with bioreactors ranging in size form 1L to 200L.
At St. Edward's Dr. Edwards plans to use the skills she has accrued during her career to give students a comprehensive industrial microbiology experience, from upstream strain development and assessment to fermentation and product analysis.
2020-present, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
2018-2020, Vising Assistant Professor of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
B.A. from Trinity University, 2008
Ph.D. from The University of Georgia, 2013