Sandra Buerger
Senior Lecturer, Natural Science and Mathematics
Teaching Interests
STEM education; team-based learning (TBL); online education; project based learning (PBL)
Research Interests
Environmental microbial ecology, Probiotics/microbiomes in human and plant health, antimicrobials, and history of microbiology/disease.
Publications and Presentations
Buerger S (2020) The skin and oral microbiome: an examination of overlap and potential interactions between microbiome communities. In N Dayan (ed) Skin Microbiome Handbook: From Basic Research to Product Development (pp. 45-57) Scrivener Publishing.
Buerger S and Foord L (2020) Using Digital Microscopes in an Online Lab. American Biology Teacher. 82:3.
McKnight N, Buerger S, Regan J, O’Brein-Hallstein L, Osayame Y (17 Sep 2020) Growing an undergraduate research program at CGS/BU for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion- IMPACT. Association of General and Liberal Studies Annual Conference.
Shoja M, Arynchyna A, Loukas M, D’Antoni A, Buerger S, Marion K, Tubbs RS (2020) A Guide to the Scientific Career: Virtues, Communication, Research, and Academic Writing. John Wiley and Sons.
Buerger S (2020) Emotional intelligence: Its Place in Your Professional and Academic Careers. In Shoja et al (eds) A Guide to the Scientific Career: Virtues, Communication, Research, and Academic Writing. John Wiley and Sons.
Buerger S (2020) Communication Skills. In Shoja et al (eds) A Guide to the Scientific Career: Virtues, Communication, Research, and Academic Writing. John Wiley and Sons.
Buerger S (May 16, 2019) An approach to developing meaningful undergraduate research projects through faculty mentor and collaborative student relationship. International Annual Conference in Innovative Teaching; RCC-Harvard University. Cambridge, MA
Buerger S (March 28, 2019) Gut Health and the Microbiome: National Town Hall; Our Community, Our Health. University of Florida, Health Street. Gainesville, FL. Invited Speaker/Panel Member
Buerger S (29 October 2018) Viability of cells in commercial and home-made probiotics. 3rd Probiotics Congress/6th Microbiome R&D and Business Collaboration Forum. Invited Talk (San Diego, CA).
Buerger S (October 2018) Viability of cells in commercial and home-made probiotics. 3rd Probiotics Congress/6th Microbiome R&D and Business Collaboration Forum. Abstract.
Buerger S (13 August 2018) Sex determination and binary categorization in Biology- an exploration of genomic, chromosomal, and molecular determinants. Columbia University, Teacher’s College. Invited Talk (New York, NY)
Buerger S (July 2018) Fermented Foods As Probiotics: Health Perceptions and Research. Global Exchange (Oxford, UK). http://www.global-engage.com/life-science/fermented-food-as-probiotics-health-perceptions-and-research/
Buerger S et al (2017) Influence of subinhibitory concentrations of ampicillin on bacterial community composition. NENHC: Cromwell, CT.
Buerger S, Spoering A, Gavrish E, Leslin C, Ling L, Epstein SS. (2012) Microbial scout hypothesis, stochastic exit from dormancy, and the nature of slow growers. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 78:9.
Buerger S, Spoering A, Gavrish E, Leslin C, Ling C, Epstein SS. (2012). Microbial scout hypothesis and microbial discovery. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 78:9.
Buerger S (2015) “Mini Lectures and Online Courses” Webinar.
Buerger S (2014) “Aligning Expectations Between Community College Life Sciences Programs and Life Sciences Companies.” Talk at Breakout Session: Mass STEM Summit: Worcester, MA.
Buerger S (2013) “Mycobacterium: Patterns of Dormancy and Growth.” Talk at Boston University College of General Studies Faculty Talks: Boston, MA.
Buerger S, Crawford J, Gavrish E, Clardy J, Epstein SS (2010) Microbial survival strategy may include stochastic exit from dormancy. ASM 2010: San Diego, CA and BBM 2010: Boston, MA (poster presentation).
Buerger S, Hong S, Lucey K, Epstein SS (2008) Single-cell approach to microbial cultivation reveals an unusual growth strategy. ISME 2008: Cairns, Australia (poster presentation).
Buerger S, Nichols D, Lewis K, Epstein SS (2006) Marine Microbial Consortia as model systems to study the great plate count anomaly. ISME 2006: Vienna, Austria (poster presentation).
Featured In
“CGS Historical Cures Research” Impact@BU. Video (December 2018). https://business.facebook.com/BUalumni/videos/204949877119974
“Do You Really Need to Take a Probiotic?” Men’s Journal (April 2018) https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/do-you-really-need-to-take-probiotics
“Gut Check” https://www.bu.edu/research/articles/do-probiotics-work/ https://www.bu.edu/research/articles/do-probiotics-work/
“BU Undergrads Demonstrate Potential Superiority of Fermented Foods Over Probiotics Pills” Know Where Your Food Comes From (13 March 2018).http://knowwhereyourfoodcomesfrom.com/2018/03/23/b-u-undergrads-demonstrate-potential-superiority-of-fermented-foods-over-probiotic-pills/
“10 Things I Hate About Probiotics” Real Good Nutrition (26 October 2018) https://www.therealgoodnutrition.com/therealgoodblog/2018/10/25/10-things-i-lovehate-about-probiotics