Ann Stevens, professor of biological sciences at Virginia Tech, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Carski Award for Undergraduate Education from the American Society for Microbiology. The honor recognizes Dr. Stevens’ outstanding teaching and mentoring of undergraduate students in microbiology.
A Virginia Tech faculty member for nearly three decades, Dr. Stevens teaches courses in general microbiology and microbial physiology. Earlier in her tenure, she helped to develop the university’s bachelor’s degree program in microbiology. She is also the lead author of the undergraduate textbook Microbial Physiology: Unity and Diversity (ASM Press, 2024).
In addition to teaching, Dr. Stevens leads a molecular microbiology research lab, where she studies bacterial environmental sensing and gene regulation. Throughout her career, she has trained nearly 30 graduate students and more than 55 undergraduate students.
Dr. Stevens received her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Iowa State University. After earning her master’s degree and Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Illinois, she completed postdoctoral training at the University of Iowa.