Instructor of Microbiology

Dr. Lavon Tonga

Dr. Lavon Tonga completed a B.S. in Biology from Brigham Young University – Hawaii. She then received her doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in 2006, under the mentorship of Dr. Lindsay Hutt-Fletcher. Her research efforts consisted of studying the pathogenesis of the herpesvirus, Epstein Barr virus, by developing a system that would introduce finer-tuned mutations into the viral genome.

Dr. Tonga has extensive teaching experience with undergraduate courses such as biochemistry, biology and microbiology. Of particular interest to her would be the development of successful pedagogical methods for STEM students enrolled at open enrollment institutions.

Credentials

PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry