Samantha Orchard
- Associate Professor of Practice
- Member of the Graduate Faculty
- (520) 621-3969
- Forbes, Rm. 303
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- orchard@arizona.edu
Biography
Samantha Orchard is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona, where she teaches courses about Biotechnology. She got a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Washington (Seattle), a Ph.D. in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), and post-doctoral experience in bacterial genetics from San Diego State University (California). After her postdoctoral training, she transitioned to working in the biotechnology industry, first at a small Biofuels start-up type company and then at a larger company that makes and sells enzymes for industrial applications. After more than 8 years in industry, she returned to academia in 2018 to bring her real-world biotechnology experience to the classroom.
Degrees
- Ph.D. Bacteriology
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- Oligopeptide and Nucleoside Salvage by the Bacterium Xenorhabdus Nematophila
- B.S. Microbiology
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
Work Experience
- BASF Enzymes LLC (formerly Verenium Corporation) (2011 - 2017)
- Menon & Associates Inc. (2009 - 2011)
- San Diego State University, San Diego, California (2005 - 2009)
Awards
- Bart Cardon Early Career Faculty Teaching Award
- UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Spring 2022
Interests
Teaching
Biotechnology, microbial molecular biology, enzyme discovery
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Industrial Biotechnology
PLS 434 (Fall 2024) -
Industrial Biotechnology
PLS 534 (Fall 2024) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Fall 2024) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Fall 2024) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Applied Biotec.Senior Capstone
PLS 498C (Spring 2024) -
Biotechnology Laboratory
PLS 340L (Spring 2024) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Spring 2024) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Spring 2024) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Spring 2024) -
Senior Capstone
PLS 498 (Spring 2024) -
Biotechnology & Sustainability
PLS 170C2 (Fall 2023) -
Independent Study
PLS 399 (Fall 2023) -
Industrial Biotechnology
PLS 434 (Fall 2023) -
Industrial Biotechnology
PLS 534 (Fall 2023) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Fall 2023) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Fall 2023) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Applied Biotec.Senior Capstone
PLS 498C (Spring 2023) -
Biotechnology & Sustainability
PLS 170C2 (Spring 2023) -
Biotechnology Laboratory
PLS 340L (Spring 2023) -
Senior Capstone
PLS 498 (Spring 2023) -
Biotechnology & Sustainability
PLS 170C2 (Fall 2022) -
Industrial Biotechnology
PLS 434 (Fall 2022) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Fall 2022) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Fall 2022) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Summer I 2022) -
Biotechnology Laboratory
PLS 340L (Spring 2022) -
Honors Thesis
ECOL 498H (Spring 2022) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Spring 2022) -
Honors Thesis
ECOL 498H (Fall 2021) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Fall 2021) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Fall 2021) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Fall 2021) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Summer I 2021) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Spring 2021) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Fall 2020) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Fall 2020) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Fall 2020) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Summer I 2020) -
Biotechnology Laboratory
PLS 340L (Spring 2020) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Spring 2020) -
Preceptorship
PLS 491 (Spring 2020) -
Feed & Clothe 9-Billion People
PLS 195A (Fall 2019) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Fall 2019) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Fall 2019) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Fall 2019) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Fall 2019) -
Preceptorship
PLS 491 (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Summer I 2019) -
Biotechnology Laboratory
PLS 340L (Spring 2019) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MCB 340 (Spring 2019) -
Intro to Biotechnology
MIC 340 (Spring 2019) -
Intro to Biotechnology
PLS 340 (Spring 2019) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Spring 2019) -
Preceptorship
PLS 491 (Spring 2019) -
Biotechnology Laboratory
PLS 340L (Fall 2018) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Fall 2018) -
Preceptorship
PLS 491 (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Summer I 2018) -
Biotechnology Laboratory
PLS 340L (Spring 2018) -
Introductory Biotechnology
PLS 170C2 (Spring 2018)
Scholarly Contributions
Presentations
- Orchard, S. (2022). Promoting Innovative Thinking in Biotechnology. American Society for Microbiology Conference on Undergraduate Education. Virtual: American Society for Microbiology.More info"Microbrew" oral presentation. Abstract: In the coming decades, humans will face challenges related to climate change, the increasing human population, antimicrobial resistance, and more. Overcoming these challenges will require creative problem solving and innovation. To help guide students through the transition from being learners of existing knowledge to the creators of new solutions, I use an assignment in which I ask students to propose a biotechnology-related solution to a problem of their choice. This encourages them to think creatively and to see how they can apply their knowledge to tackle new challenges. Out of respect for Universal Design for Learning guidelines, I allow the students to submit their work in a variety of formats, including websites, podcasts, or videos.