Robert W. Bauman discusses microbiology

Robert W. Bauman is a professor of biology and chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences at Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas, where he teaches microbiology and anatomy and physiology. He received an M.A. degree in botany from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in biology from Stanford University. His research interests include the morphology and ecology of freshwater algae, the cell biology of marine algae, and environmentally triggered chromogenesis in butterflies. He is a member of the American Society of Microbiology, Texas Community College Teachers Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and The Lepidopterists' Society. When he is not writing books, he enjoys spending time with his family: gardening, hiking, playing games, and reading classics out loud by a crackling fire.

BC | You've taught the non-majors microbiology course for more than 15 years. How has your teaching style changed with experience?

RB | I have learned to break complex topics into their individual components, presenting each element distinctly and lucidly, and then helping the students integrate the parts into a cohesive whole.

I also develop analogies to help students understand difficult topics. One example that I currently use compares the defense of the body against pathogens with the defense of our country against terrorism. To protect against terrorism, the United States utilizes many defense mechanisms around its borders, such as border patrol officers, passports and visas, and immigration services. If a potential terrorist makes it past this first line of defense, the United States uses a second line of defense, such as federal and local law enforcement. If terrorists continue to move within the country, the United States may call in special forces, such as SWAT teams, hostage negotiators, or drug enforcement officers. Just as the United States employs many defense strategies to protect against terrorism, the human body employs many defense strategies to protect against pathogens. The skin is the best and first defense mechanism; much like the US border patrol. White blood cells act as a second layer of defense while other cells provide immunity against specific pathogens.

BC | What common misconceptions do students have about microbiology?

RB | Typically, students don't often think about the positive aspects of microbiology, if they think about microbiology at all. They are usually astonished to learn that there are many times more bacterial cells in their bodies than there are human cells-bacteria that help digest their food and provide protection from pathogens. For example, there are five pounds of bacteria in the intestines taking up space. Therefore, virulent strains of Escherichia, Salmonella, and Shigella cannot live there.

BC | Your textbook has a very distinctive art style. How did you collaborate with scientific illustrators to create artwork that engages as it teaches?

RB | The main artist, Ken Probst, and I developed a friendship during the development of this text. I would come up with ideas to illustrate a certain concept and Ken would provide artistic "flesh" to my skeletal outlines. I would then check Ken's work for pedagogical effectiveness with the assistance of the art development editor, Laura Southworth. Ken would render a final version that was artistically pleasing, pedagogically sound, efficient, and scientifically accurate.

BC | Describe some of your favorite figures from the text.

RB | I really like how Ken illustrated the process surrounding the classical complement cascade (Figure 15.13 from Microbiology). It's usually best to see a visual representation to complex processes like this one. I was particularly impressed with Ken's work on HIV cycles, and how HIV attaches to and enters a host cell (Figures 25.19 and 25.20 from Microbiology).

BC | Why did you choose to specialize in microbiology?

RB | I like cells. I think the intricacies of cellular biology are incredible and fascinating. For instance, bacterial flagella are tiny rotors with greater efficiency in terms of energy conversion than any machines designed by the best engineers.

BC | What additional readings would you recommend to students who are interested in learning more about microbiology?

RB | The Hot Zone by Richard Preston is a book that focuses on Ebola and shows the dangers of certain microbes. Microbe Hunters by Paul de Kruif contains classic stories about the pioneers of microbiology — those individuals who discovered the causes of diseases and brought us the world of health care unequaled in the rest of the world.

Microbiology, First Edition by Robert W. Bauman