Shannon McQuaig Ulrich, Ph.D., is a full professor at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, Fla.

Ulrich earned her B.S. in microbiology and cell science from the University of Florida in 2003. During her time as an undergraduate, she worked in an environmental microbiology laboratory, and her passion for water-quality microbiology was cultivated. She earned her M.S. in microbiology and cell science in 2005. She then attended the University of South Florida, where she developed a real-time PCR assay to detect human polyomaviruses in environmental waters as an indication of microbial water quality. In 2009, Ulrich earned her Ph.D. in biology with a concentration in environmental and ecological microbiology from the University of South Florida.

After graduation, Ulrich joined the University of South Florida as a visiting instructor teaching cell biology and biology. In 2010, she accepted a position at St. Petersburg College, teaching a variety of courses, including biology, microbiology, genetics, immunology, molecular biology and undergraduate research.

Ulrich has published 10 peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter and continues her research interests working with undergraduate students.