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Dr. Melinda Clark teaches Microbiology, Genetics, Human Genetics, Science and Society, and Biological Research within the Biology Department at Muskingum University. Her teaching philosophy is to lay a solid foundation of knowledge for her students through active learning techniques followed by real-world application of the material learned. Dr. Clark’s approach to learning is that you don’t know what you don’t know, so let’s fill in the gaps and solidify your knowledge so you can be confident going forward. 

Her current research interests include analyzing the evolution of bacteriophage to new host bacteria, biofilm formation, disruption, and application, and bioremediation. Dr. Clark completed two postdoctoral fellowships after earning her PhD. Her first fellowship was at the University of California-Berkeley, working on biofuel production and the second fellowship was at the University of Virginia, identifying virulence factors within the select agent Francisella tularensis. Prior to teaching, she worked for the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Service (Virginia’s state public health laboratory), where she validated molecular tests for patient diagnosis and assisted the biothreat response team. Dr. Clark started teaching in 2015 at Piedmont Virginia Community College, teaching Microbiology and General Biology. She joined the Biology faculty at Muskingum in 2025. 

Outside of teaching, Dr. Clark enjoys CrossFit, her cats, and assisting cats in need through TNR.