Associate Professor, Biology
Director for Undergraduate Research
- Postdoctoral scholar, Department of Genetics, Stanford University, 2017
- PhD Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2012
- BA Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 2004
Dr. Cawa Tran joined the Biology faculty in 2022. Originally from San Diego, she is excited to return to her hometown to work with the community within and around USD, as she continues to prioritize inclusive teaching, scholarship, and service while mentoring the next generation of biologists and leaders in creating a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world.
Areas of Interest
Believing research to be a form of pedagogy, Dr. Tran is passionate about engaging students in the field of marine symbiosis. Her laboratory uses an integrative approach that includes aspects of microbial ecology, cell biology, and physiology to investigate host-microbe interactions in the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana (commonly referred to as 'Aiptasia'), a model system for understanding coral symbiosis and bleaching. She is also interested in exploring climate-change impacts on larval settlement and metamorphosis of marine and coastal invertebrates.
Office Hours
| Section 01 | |||
| 1/26 - 5/13 | M W | 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm | |
| Section 02 | |||
| 1/26 - 5/13 | M W | 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm | |