Jason E. Heindl, PhD, has been named assistant professor of biology at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. He comes to the University having completed a postdoctoral fellowship specializing in prokaryotic development at Indiana University.

As a microbiologist and cell biologist, Dr. Heindl’s research focuses on the prokaryotic development and bacterial interactions within the environment. He uses the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciensand related bacteria to understand regulatory principles and molecular mechanisms governing bacterial developmental stages from growth and remodeling, to the morphogenesis, division, and biofilm formation.

His work has been published in several renowned scientific journals, such as Journal of Bacteriology, Infection and Immunity, and PLOS ONE—a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science.

In his new role, Dr. Heindl’s responsibilities include teaching a variety of undergraduate microbiology courses and developing new courses for the program. He is also charged with establishing an active research program with undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Dr. Heindl, a native of Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, received his PhD in microbiology and molecular genetics from Harvard University and a BA in biology from Amherst College. He also spent nearly three years serving as a science education volunteer in Ghana with the United States Peace Corps.