DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Lee Hughes, an assistant professor of biology in the University of North Texas College of Arts and Sciences, has been named an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer.

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Distinguished Lecturer Program annually selects a scientifically diverse group to deliver lectures at ASM branch meetings throughout the U.S. Lecturers are chosen through a competitive nomination process, and only the most distinguished lecturers and researchers are chosen to participate in the program.

Hughes will travel throughout the U.S. through June 30, 2015, delivering lectures at various ASM state meetings.

“It’s a big honor to be selected for this,” Hughes said. “The topic I will cover in my lectures is science education, that’s where the focus of most of my research is.”

Hughes began his career as a microbiologist, later became an advisor in UNT’s Biology Department and then began research in science education. An area he is currently focusing on is improving student retention through research experiences and hybrid and online classes for the sciences.