Briana Burton, associate professor in the Department of Bacteriology, was selected to receive the 2023 Myron H. and Anna Atwood Faculty Fellow Award.

Burton studies mechanisms of membrane-associated macromolecular transport machines. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of DNA translocation across membranes in any system, as tools to study the mechanism of DNA transporters have been lacking. Burton’s lab combines in vitro and in vivo biochemistry, microscopy, microbiology and molecular biology to study these DNA transport complexes. She teaches Microbiology 470: Microbial Genetics & Molecular Machines; Micro 612: Prokaryotic Molecular Biology; and Micro 875 Special Topics: Masters Degree Seminar.

The Atwood Faculty Fellow Award recognizes faculty in CALS for excellence in teaching and provides support for continued efforts in the area of instruction. Nominees are selected on the basis of a demonstrated record of commitment to and excellence in teaching, and a project proposal that creatively applies educational innovation and helps forward the CALS teaching mission.