Jon Lawson, PhD

Education

• PhD, Molecular Microbiology (MMBI), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• BS, Biology, Baylor University

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Biology Courses

• BIO 1106 – RES (Phage Bioinformatics) 
• BIO 1305 Modern Concepts of Bioscience I
• BIO 1305(H) Modern Concepts of Bioscience I (Honors) 
• BIO 1306 Modern Concepts of Bioscience II 
• BIO 1405 Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts I (SEA-PHAGES) 
• BIO 1406 Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts II (SEA-PHAGES) 
• BIO 2302 Introductory Microbiology 
• BIO 4102-RES General Microbiology Laboratory (NTM Phage Therapy) 
• BIO 4302 General Microbiology 
• #V9R – Independent Research  

Biography

After earning his BS in Biology from Baylor University, Jonathan Lawson attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, where he earned his PhD in the Department of Molecular Microbiology. He completed his graduate work at what was then the Center for Biomedical Inventions, where he developed techniques to investigate the global transcriptional profile of the plague bacillus (Yersinia pestis) during pulmonary infections. After a stint in the biotechnology industry, Dr. Lawson discovered a passion for teaching at Collin College in North Texas, where he supported a biotechnology program and authored multiple undergraduate laboratory manuals. Returning to Baylor as a faculty member in 2019, Dr. Lawson brings his passion for transformative teaching experiences and undergraduate research back to Waco, where his scientific journey began.

Research Interests

At any given moment, more bacteriophages are infecting bacteria than all the social media posts ever produced in our lifetime. This microbiological battle offers a unique window into how we can address pressing global challenges and discover novel biology. From identifying how phages can help us address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to uncovering insights into the functions of the vast “biological dark matter,” phages provide an abundant and accessible system for exploration. Dr. Lawson leverages these biological entities in some of his undergraduate courses that use the SEA-PHAGES program, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). In addition to overseeing the microbiology laboratories, Dr. Lawson runs an undergraduate lab focused on discovering phages that infect non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTMs), including Mycobacterium ulcerans, a neglected tropical disease pathogen responsible for Buruli ulcer. All of Dr. Lawson’s research interests involve engaging undergraduate students in discovery through the scientific process. 

Dr. Lawson’s research interests also extend to the science of learning, where he explores how pedagogical approaches affect student learning outcomes. In lecture courses, Dr. Lawson uses active-learning and inquiry-based approaches in his course design. He has also written and supports Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURES) at Baylor.   

Selected Publications

Explore all the bacteriophages discovered and sequenced here at Baylor University HERE 

Recent GenBank submissions from Baylor Students 

• Arthrobacter phage Altostratus 

• Arthrobacter phage Maruru 

Recent Genome Announcements 

Akst EP, Areda D, Battaglioli EJ, Beck CW, Bogush ML, Caruso SM, et al., Warner MH. 2026. Characterization of the Complete Genome of Arthrobacter globiformis Cluster FF Bacteriophage QuinnAvery. microPublication Biology. 10.17912/micropub.biology.001994