Welcome to the website of the Westenberg Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Missouri S&T. Our lab is interested in the various applications of microorganisms in science and engineering as well as the societal implications of those applications. We have a nice collection of diverse microbes and enjoy collaborating with colleagues in a wide variety of disciplines.

Latest Lab News

DJW recorded a narration of an unpublished biography of Fanny Angelina Hesse, written by her grandson. The biography and recording are part of a graphic novel project to promote Fanny Hesse’s legacy. An excerpt of the recording along with an amazing time-lapse drawing by the artist shog is available through the project’s Patreon site and the full recording is available to high-tier donors. Access the excerpt.

DJW recorded an ASM Studio presentation on the legacy of Fanny Angelina Hesse and the introduction of agar into the microbial sciences. The presentation was at ASM Microbe in Los Angeles in June. The recording is available on the ASM YouTube channel.

DJW presented two posters at ASM Microbe in Los Angeles on June 21 and 22.

Ella Kadyk, Kaitlyn Thole, and Kinsey Zimmermann presented their research posters at the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) Symposium on May 5.

DJW presented a talk on Engineering with Biology at the 2025 Göttinger Mikrobiologie Symposium

Amelia Markwell successfully completed her OURE Fellows project

Nicole Militante presented her research at the S&T Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Showcase on April 2