Episode Details

Matters Microbial #138: Sightseeing the Microbial World September 8, 2026

Today Dr. Monika Oli, Instructional Professor of the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida joins the quality quorum to discuss how she teaches microbiology students to view the topic through a global lens as a study abroad program. Her approach demonstrates how travel enriches scientific understanding, broadens cultural perspectives, and prepares students to become globally engaged microbiologists equipped to address the challenges of an interconnected world.

Host: Mark O. Martin

Guest: Monika Oli

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Links for this episode

• Here is a link to some basic history of microbiology.
• A nice biography of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek.
• A truly wonderful video about Leeuwenhoek that is SO worth your time.
• A description of the "Leeuwenhoek Microscope."
• A website that explains how you can build a replica of this famous instrument.
• An overview of the Delft school of microbiology.
• A biography of Martinus Beijerinck (an amazing microbiologist).
• The website of Micropia, the microbiology focused museum in Amsterdam.
• A fun article about the "tardigrade chair" at Micropia I discussed.
• An article about "microbial tours."
• The CEPA company that helps to create academic tours.
• An overview of experiential learning.
• The story of Ignaz Semmelweis.
• A description of the abbey where Gregor Mendel did his work with pea plants.
• A biography of Karl Stetter.
• An amazing video featuring Karl Stetter.
• The famous book, "The Little Prince," by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry which can be linked to microbiology.
• How some UNESCO Heritage sites are related to microbiology.
• The fermented food kimchi and its microbiologi