CSU Pueblo Biology Professor Promoted to Senior Editor of Prestigious Science Education Journal

Dr. Amaya Garcia Costas takes leadership role at Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education

PUEBLO, Colo. — Colorado State University Pueblo Associate Professor Amaya Garcia Costas has been promoted to Senior Editor of the Tips and Tools section of the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, published by ASM Press. The appointment, effective this July, recognizes her contributions to shaping how microbiology is taught across the country.

For the past two years, Garcia Costas worked as an associate editor for the journal, coordinating peer reviews and making publication decisions on 12 to 15 manuscript submissions annually. Her performance caught the attention of journal leadership, leading to her promotion.

In her new role, Garcia Costas will oversee and assign manuscripts to a team of six editors while conducting her own peer review work. The position comes with a three-year appointment and includes funding to attend the American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators, held each November.

Michael Lerman, managing editor for ASM Journals, wrote in his nomination letter that Garcia Costas stood out for her thorough peer review work and genuine commitment to education research.

“We’ve all been impressed with Amaya’s work in managing and performing peer review as well as her enthusiastic engagement in education research,” Lerman wrote. “We have no doubt she will bring great successes to JMBE in this role.”

Garcia Costas credits the experience with keeping her connected to what colleagues across the country are doing in their classrooms.

“This has been such a fun and effective way to keep up with what other Microbiology faculty are doing in their classrooms and departments,” she said. “I am always inspired by the thoughtful work presented in the manuscripts, which in turn motivates me to give our students here at CSU Pueblo new and innovative experiences.”

She emphasizes the collaborative nature of the work.

“It is an honor to be such an integral part of the process and to be participating in these conversations with other Microbiology educators at the national level,” Garcia Costas said. “The JMBE team’s commitment to mentoring faculty in the publication process and to generating top-notch journal issues is admirable. I feel very lucky to be part of this team.”

The promotion reflects the quality of scholarship and service happening at a regional university often overlooked in national academic circles. Garcia Costas continues her work as chair of the Biology Department and STEM lead for CSU Pueblo’s Discovery Scholars program.