Dr. Michael Wolyniak

A.B., Colgate University, 1998

Ph.D., Cornell University, 2004 

Postdoctoral research, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 2004-09

Genetics

Molecular Biology

Genomics

Biochemistry

Public Health

My research interests span the fundamentals of molecular biology and biochemistry and I am happy to sponsor any project involving these subjects.  Recently, I have gotten involved with the engineering of strains of budding yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to improve their quality for brewing purposes by Third Street Brewing Company, a microbrewery located in Farmville.  This has been an exciting “real world” application to my research that has also developed a strong community partnership.

I also have a strong interest in public health and would be interested in working with students that wished to explore how societies combine science and policy to best protect them from disease.

National/State:

Board Member, Virginia Math and Science Coalition

Fellow, Partnership for Undergraduate Life Science Education (PULSE)

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Science Outreach and Communication Committee

American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Education Committee , 2010-16

Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) Councilor and Vice-Chair, Biology Division

National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Oversight Committee

Virginia Academy of Science (VAS) Past-President and Science Education Committee (current committee chair)

Hampden-Sydney:

Admissions and Financial Aid Committee

Freshman Advising Honors Council (current committee chair)

Academic Facilities Committee

Assessment Committee

Core Cultures Committee

Seitz H.M., Elfring L.K., Arriola P.E., Elliott S., Jacob N., Lindsay S., Offerdahl E., Otto J., Powell-Coffman J., Wolyniak M., Washington J., and Withers M. (2025). How will we get there from here? Assessing departmental action plans and barriers from PULSE Ambassador workshops. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, submitted.

Mathews S.L., Goller C., Wolyniak M.J., Swamy U., Misra A., Moore M.E., Hsu J.L., and Newman D.L. (2025). Examining the influence of Vision and Change and a mentoring network on teaching philosophies and strategies. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, in press.

Wolyniak, M.J., Pattison, D.L., Pieczynski, J.N., Santisteban, M.S. (eds.) (2025). Introduction to CRISPR-Cas9 Techniques. Learning Materials in Biosciences. Springer, Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-73734-3.

Wolyniak, M.J. (2025). CRISPR for Introductory-Level Undergraduate Courses. In: Wolyniak, M.J., Pattison, D.L., Pieczynski, J.N., Santisteban, M.S. (eds.) Introduction to CRISPR-Cas9 Techniques. Learning Materials in Biosciences. Springer, Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-73734-3_4.

Zhang J., DeChenne-Peters S.E., Hecht D., Wolyniak M.J., Kuhn M.L., Coletar C.M., Galport N., Eddy R.M., Provost J., Bell J.K., and Bell E. (2025). Course-based undergraduate research experience impacts on student outcomes at minority-serving community colleges.  Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. doi: 10.1002/bmb.21889.

Hsu J.L., Misra A., Wolyniak M.J., Goller C.C., Mathews S., Swamy U., Newman D.L., and Moore M.E. (2025).  Charting a new vision: lessons on Vision & Change from a network of biology educators. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.00172-24.

Lookingbill T.R., Warren K.P., Haley J.C., Malcolm E.G., Powell L.J., Starr S.M., Witiak S.M.,Wolyniak M.J., and Zizzamia B. (2025). Virginia Heat Watch: Collaboration to assess climate vulnerability at local to regional scales. Urban Climate 59: 102252. doi: 10.1016/j.uclim.2024.102252.

Wolyniak M.J., #Frazier R.H., #Gemborys P.K., and #Loehr H.E. (2024). Malate dehydrogenase: A story of diverse evolutionary radiation. Essays in Biochemistry, doi: 10.1042/EBC20230076 (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

Sandquist E.J., Schofield B.J., Taylor K.H., Engel A.C., Liu J., Putzke A.P., Sagwan-Barkdoll L., Walsh S., Buchanan T.L., Barton L.F., Resendes K.K., and Wolyniak M.J. (2024). A community of practice for CURE development: The MIRIC (Mentoring the Integration of Research Into the Classroom) network. Journal of College Science Teaching. doi: 10.1080/0047231X.2024.2373026

Akmal M., Lateef R.S., Wolyniak M.J., and Orenstein W. (2024) Evaluating the Impact of Educational Videos on Vaccine Science Knowledge Among Virginia High School Students. American Journal of Health Education, doi: 10.1080/19325037.2023.2295553

Callahan H.S., Wolyniak M., Thompson J.J., Rutter M.T., Murren C.J., and Bisner A. (2023). The UNPAK Project: Much More Than a CURE.  In Rivera-Maulucci M., Pfirman S., and Callahan H.S. (Eds.), Transforming Education for Sustainability: Discourses on Justice, Inclusion, and Authenticity (pp. 281-304). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13536-1

Kelp N.C., McCartney M., Sarvary M.A., Shaffer J.F., and Wolyniak M.J. (2023). Developing science literacy in students and society: Theory, research, and practice. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education,  doi: 10.1128/jmbe.00058-23.

Wolyniak M.J. (2023). Bioinformatics education for undergraduates: the need for project-based and experiential approaches. International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning 3(2):107–117. doi: 10.1504/IJSMARTTL.2023.129603

Prunuske A.J., Evans-Anderson H.J., Furniss K.L., Goller C.C., Mirowsky J.E., Moore M.E., Raut S.A., Swamy U., Wick S., and Wolyniak M.J. (2022). Using a Community of Transformation to create a sustained change toward increased active learning in the undergraduate classroom. Discover Education 1(1):22. doi: 10.1007/s44217-022-00023-w.

Kubera C., Nivillac N.M.I., Tanner S., Le P., Begde D., Wolyniak M.J.,and Challa A.K. (2022). Workshop report: Virtual CRISPR in the classroom. CourseSource https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2022.17

Hanauer D.I., Graham M.J., Arnold R.J., Ayuk M.A., Balish M.F., Beyer A.R...... Wolyniak M.J., Zeilstra-Ryalls J.H., Asai D.J., Hatfull G.F., and Sivanathan V. (2022). Instructional Models for Course-Based Research Experience (CRE) Teaching. CBE-Life Science Education 21(1):ar8. doi: 10.1187/cbe.21-03-0057.

Scheifele L.Z., Tsotakos N., Wolyniak M.J. (2021). Preprint articles as a tool for teaching data analysis and scientific communication. PLoS One 16(12):e0261622. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261622. 

Tsotakos N., Del Gaizo Moore V., Scheifele L.Z., Wolyniak M.J., Chihade J.W., Provost J.J., Roecklein-Canfield J.A. (2021). A 360˚ View of COVID-19. CourseSource. https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2021.41

Moore V.D., Scheifele L.Z., Chihade J.W., Provost J.J., Roecklein-Canfield J.A., Tsotakos N., and Wolyniak M.J. (2021).  COVID-360: A collaborative effort to develop a multidisciplinary set of online resources for engaging teaching on the COVID-19 pandemic.   Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 22(1):22.1.33. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v22i1.2623

Moore M.E., Naganathan A., Blumer S.L., Goller C.C., Misra A., Raut S.A., Swamy U., Wick S., and  Wolyniak M.J. (2020).  Facilitating long-term mentoring to effectively implement active learning instruction: Formation of the Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) Network.  Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 21(3):21.3.71. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v21i3.2203

Ruppel N.J., Estell L.E., #Jackson R.I., and  Wolyniak M.J. (2019). An undergraduate research project utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to study gene function in  Arabidopsis thaliana.  Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 20(2):20.2.31. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1666 (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors)

Murren C.J.,  Wolyniak M.J., Rutter M.T., Bisner A., Callahan H.S., Strand A.E., and Corwin L.A.  (2019) Students learn to "unPAK" the phenome of  Arabidopsis: Student outcomes and design of an adaptable network CURE. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 20(2): 20.2.28. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1650

Rutter M.T., Murren C.J., Callahan H.S., Bisner A., Leebens-Mack J.,  Wolyniak M.J., and Strand A.E. (2019) Distributed phenomics with the unPAK project reveals the effects of mutations.  The Plant Journal 100(1): 199-211.

Wolyniak M, Austin S, #Bloodworth L, Carter D, Harrison S, Hoage T, Hollis-Brown L, Jefferson F, Krufka A, Safadi-Chamberlin F, Santisteban M, Soneral P, VanWinkle B, Challa A. (2019). Integrating CRISPR-Cas9 technology into undergraduate courses: perspectives from a National Science Foundation (NSF) workshop for undergraduate faculty, June 2018. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 20(1): doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i1.1702 (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

Kim S., Nguyen Q.B., Wolyniak M.J., Frechette G., #Lehman C.R., #Fox B.K., and Sundstrom P.  (2018). Release of transcriptional repression through the HCR promoter region confers uniform expression of Hwp1 on surfaces of Candida albicans germ tubes.   PLoS ONE. 13(2):e0192260. (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors)

Wolyniak M., Reyna N., Plymale R., Pope W., and Westholm D. (2018). Mass spectrometry as a tool to enhance "-omics" education. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 19(1): doi:10.1128/jmbe.v19i1.1459

Wolyniak M.J., Bemis L.T., and Prunuske A.J.  (2015).  Improving medical students' knowledge of genetic disease: A review of current and emerging pedagogical practices.   Advances in Medical Education and Practice 6:597-607.

Prunuske A.J., Wick S., and  Wolyniak M.J. (2015).  Response to Overcoming the Barrier to Implementing Authentic Research Experiences through Faculty Mentorship: The ASCB Mentoring in Active Learning and TEaching (MALT) Program Is Designed to Facilitate  Vision and Change-Inspired Teaching Practices.   CBE-Life Sciences Education 14(3): pii.

Leung W., Shaffer C.D., Reed L.K., Smith S.T., Barshop W., Dirkes W............ Wolyniak M.J., #Robertson G.M. #Smith S.I.,  et al. (2015).   Drosophila Muller F elements maintain a distinct set of genomic properties over 40 million years of evolution.   G3:Genes, Genomes, Genetics 5(5):719-740. (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors) 

Lopatto D., Hauser C., Jones C.J., Paetkau D............ Wolyniak M.J., Youngblom J., Zhou L., Buhler J., Mardis E., Leung W., Shaffer C.D., Threnfall J., and Elgin S.C.R. (73 authors).  (2014).  A central support system can facilitate implementation and sustainability of a classroom-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in genomics.   CBE-Life Sciences Education 13(4):711-723.

Shaffer C.D., Alvarez C.J., Bednarski A.E., Dunbar D., Goodman A.L., Reinke C., Rosenwald A.G.,  Wolyniak M.J., ....Elgin S.C.R. (83 authors). (2014).  The Genomics Education Partnership: A collaborative research experience for undergraduates that enables student-generated annotations of eukaryotic genomes. CBE-Life Sciences Education 13(1):111-130.

Wolyniak M.J.  (2013).  Improved student linkage of Mendelian and molecular genetic concepts through a yeast-based laboratory module.   Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 41(3): 163-172.

Valentine M.E., Wolyniak M.J., and Rutter M.T.  (2012).  Extensive phenotypic variation among allelic T-DNA inserts in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS ONE 7(9): e44981.

Wolyniak M.J.*, Alvarez C.J.*, Chandrasekaran V., Grana T.M., Holgado A., Jones C.J., Morris R.W., Pereira A.L., Stamm J., Washington T.M., and Yang Y.  (2010).  Building better scientists through cross-disciplinary collaboration in synthetic biology: A meeting report from the Genome Consortium for Active Teaching (GCAT) Workshop 2010.   CBE-Life Sciences Education 9(4): 399-404.  (* These authors contributed equally to these studies)

Hodge C.A.*, Choudray V.*, Wolyniak M.J.*,Scarcelli J.J., Schneiter R., and Cole C.N. (2010). Two integral membrane proteins, Brr6 and Apq12, link nuclear pore complex assembly to lipid homeostasis in the ER. Journal of Cell Science 123(1): 141-151.  (*These authors contributed equally to these studies).

Wolyniak M.J. and Cole C.N. (2008). Harnessing genomics to explore the processes and evolution of mRNA export. RNA Biology 5(2): 68-72.

Wolyniak M.J. and Sundstrom P. (2007). Role of actin cytoskeletal dynamics in activation of the cyclic AMP pathway and HWP1 gene expression in Candida albicans. Eukaryotic Cell 6(10): 1824- 40.

Kim S., Wolyniak M.J.,Staab J.F., and Sundstrom P. (2007). A 368 bp cis-acting HWP1 promoter region, HCR, confers hypha-specific gene regulation and binds architectural transcription factors Nhp6 and HmgL. Eukaryotic Cell 6(4): 693-709.

Wolyniak M.J., Blake-Hodek K., Kosco K., Hwang E., You L., and Huffaker T.C. (2006). The regulation of microtubule dynamics in S. cerevisiae by three interacting plus-end tracking proteins. Molecular Biology of the Cell 17(6): 2789- 98.

Wolyniak M.J. (2003). Balancing teaching and research experiences in doctoral training programs: Lessons for the future teacher. CBE-Life Sciences Education 2(4): 228-32.

Cheeseman I.M., Brew C., Wolyniak M., Desai A., Anderson S., Muster N., Yates J.R., Huffaker T.C., Drubin D.G., and Barnes G. (2001). Implication of a novel multiprotein Dam1p complex in outer kinetochore function. Journal of Cell Biology 155(7): 1137-45.

-#Frazier,R.H., Wolyniak,M.J., Monti,D.L., Viland,M.D., Lewis,C.M., Garlena,R.A., Russell,D.A., Jacobs-Sera,D. and Hatfull,G.F. (2025). Mycobacteriophage LestyG, complete genome. GenBank PV251873.1. (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student author).

-#Manu CB, #Konieczka TA, #Bell MS, #Harney MS, #Isaksen GA, #Parrish C, Stimpert WC, #Sutton MP, #Washington AM, #Walker JH, #Whaley HR, Wolyniak MJ, Delesalle VA, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2021). Mycobacteriophage LestyG, complete genome. GenBank OK318960.1. (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Martin BA, Wolyniak MJ, Stoner TH, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Pope WH, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2019).  Mycobacterium phage Bumblebee11, complete genome.  GenBank MK494115.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Wiggin ZP, Wolyniak MJ, Aull HG, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Pope WH, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2019). Mycobacterium phage Scorpia, complete genome.  GenBank MK 494091.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Martinez-Pineda D, Wolyniak MJ, Kistler A, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Pope WH, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2019). Mycobacterium phage Veracruz, complete genome.  GenBank MK 524496.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Murphy AC, Wolyniak MJ, Kotturi H, Stone ZS, Byrne M, Kistler A, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Pope WH, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2019). Mycobacterium phage Scorpia, complete genome.  GenBank MK 524531.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Whaley HR, Wolyniak MJ, Aull HG, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Pope WH, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2019). Mycobacterium phage Jordennis, complete genome.  GenBank MK 494090.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Williams CJ, Wolyniak MJ, Zack KM, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Pope WH, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2019). Mycobacterium phage Expelliarmus, complete genome.  GenBank MK 524492.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Bushhouse DZ, Wolyniak MJ, Fryberger R, Garlena RA, Russell DA, Pope WH, Jacobs-Sera D, and Hatfull GF. (2019). Mycobacterium phage Scorpia, complete genome.  GenBank MK 524491.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Reinartz DM, #Allgood CW, #Jackson RI, #McGaughey TA, Wolyniak MJ, et al. (2018).  Mycobacterium phage Angelique, complete genome.  GenBank MH651167.  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).  

-#Bagnal JW, #Maestrello LC, #Morgan RW, #Weiland HS, Wolyniak MJ, et al. (2018).  Mycobacterium phage Beyoncage, complete genome.  GenBank MH576972. (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).  

-Schmidt CW, Madsen EW, Primus AR, Wiegand JM, Wolyniak MJ, Westholm DE, et al. (2017).  Mycobacterium phage Idleandcovert, complete genome.  GenBank KY464936.

-Anderson AK, Hovland CJ, Marier ML, Rasche TL, Stenseng RS, Wiegand JM, Wolyniak MJ, Westholm DE, et al. (2017).  Mycobacterium phage Maxxinista, complete genome.  GenBank KY549152.

-Anselmo AF, Braun MR, Demming SE, Johnson RI, Kranig CJ, Restrepo Toro I, Wolyniak MJ, Westholm DE, et al. (2016).  Mycobacterium phage Lukilu, complete genome.  GenBank KX831080.

-#Bowen EK, #Bugbee RN, #Bushhouse DZ, #Dimmick JT, #Echols WR, #Gladden TG, #Griffin GS, #Morgan RW, #Reekes TH, #Reinartz DM, #Robinson HH, #Smith CW, #Tabrani ZP, #Thomas HL, #Tyler JA, #Watson TE, Wolyniak MJ, et al. (2017).  Mycobacterium phage Thespis, complete genome.  GenBank MG198785 (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Dimmick JT, #Godfrey GW, #Banning WJ, #Cavallarin MD, #Isom TO, #Mohammed HKEC, #Parker JP, #Polakiewicz FJ, #Smith JH Wolyniak MJ, et al. (2016).  Mycobacterium phage McFly, complete genome. GenBank KU695582 (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Hughes JB, #Polakiewicz FJ, #Whitt AR, Wolyniak MJ, et al. (2014).  Mycobacterium phage Cheetobro, complete genome.  GenBank KJ944841.1 (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).

-#Frazier SB, #Hughes JB, #Mavromatis CJ, #Miller KA, #Park JD, #Robertson GM, Wolyniak MJ, et al. (2012). Mycobacterium phage Arturo, complete genome. GenBank JX307702.1  (# denotes Hampden-Sydney College student authors).  

-Korber J, Adams SD, Austriaco N,.................Wolyniak MJ, et al. (2012).  Mycobacterium phage Spartacus, complete genome.  GenBank JQ300538.1

Bortz Teaching Award for Technology in the Classroom, 2024.

Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges-Libby and Hiter Harris Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2022.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) Award, 2022-2025.

Virginia Junior Academy of Science-Franklin D. Kizer Distinguished Service Award, 2021.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Coordination Network Award, 2021-2026.

McGavacks Professorship, 2020

Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition "Program That Works" Award, 2020

National Science Foundation (NSF) Harnessing the Data Revolution Award, 2019-2023.

Senior Class Award, Hampden-Sydney College, 2019.

American Society for Cell Biology Public Engagement Grant funded by the Science Sandbox, an initiative of the Simons Foundation, 2018.

Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition "Program That Works" Award, 2018

Thomas Edward Crawley Award for service to Hampden-Sydney College, 2017.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) Award, 2017-20.

Elliott Professorship, 2016, 2019.

Dominion Higher Education Partnership Award, 2016-17.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Collaborative Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Award, 2014-18.

John Peter Mettauer Award for Excellence in Research, Hampden-Sydney College, 2013.

Cabell Award for Excellence in Teaching, Hampden-Sydney College, 2012.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Collaborative Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Award, 2011-14.

Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) William E. Betts, Jr., Undergraduate Science Research Fellowship (awarded to research student), 2011.

VFIC Undergraduate Science Research Fellowship (awarded to research student), 2010, 2012.

Hampden-Sydney Student/Faculty Summer Research Award, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Dartmouth College teaching postdoctoral fellowship, 2007-09.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant in autoimmunity and connective tissue, Cornell University

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)/Science Program for Excellence in Science Award

Phi Beta Kappa, New York Eta Chapter (Colgate University)

Omicron Delta Kappa, Lambda Circle

Partnership for Undergraduate Life Science Education (PULSE)

American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)

American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Virginia Branch

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)

Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR)

National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)

Genome Consortium for Active Teaching (GCAT)

National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP)