Manuela Tripepi, PhD

Dr. Tripepi’s research investigate​s how different organisms (from archaea to plants) respond to various stressors and the impact these stressors can have on their survival strategies. Currently she is investigating the effects of sub-optimal temperatures and UV light on the motility rate of Haloferax volcanii. Dr. Tripepi also focus​es on curriculum development and pedagogy-oriented line​s of research, which includes developing laboratory activities tailored to learning outcomes that help students successfully learn topics in biology. During the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to continue to offer undergraduate research experience​s, she designed a COVID-friendly, adaptable protocol that aims to introduce students to the wildlife research opportunities surrounding their campus or home through ​direct observation and literature review. Student researchers learn the scientific method by getting first-hand experience with an original research project. Dr. Tripepi’s curriculum activities have been published by the Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education. 

• Adaptations and organisms' responses to stress conditions.
• Monitoring wildlife on campus.
• Curriculum development: Developing inquiry-based laboratory experiences to improve undergraduate learning in biology

PhD, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA – 2013

PhD, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy – 2008

Laurea Level II (Master) Summa cum Laude in Biology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy – 2005

Laurea Level I (Bachelor) Summa cum Laude in Biology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy – 2003