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Assistant Professor

Nathan Steffens, PhD

Nathan Steffens, PhD is a professor of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Steffens is the author of "Associations Between Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Depression. Sexually transmitted diseases" (2025).  Steffens received his PhD from the University of Louisville.

Dr. Steffens teaches undergraduate courses in microbiology and immunology. His research interests include the evolution of pathogen virulence, antibiotic resistance tradeoffs, infectious causation of chronic diseases, and evolutionary medicine. He mentors a variety of student research projects throughout the academic year and summer.

Contact Us

Contact Nathan Steffens for information on Biology

Lewis Hall 211A

563-333-6431

SteffensNathan@sau.edu

Education and Training

  • PhD, University of Louisville, Biology
  • BS, University of Arizona, Veterinary Science

Areas of Professional Interest

  • Antibiotic resistance tradeoffs
  • Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virulence and tissue tropism
  • Chlamydia trachomatis infection and chronic depression

Conference Presentations

  • Steffens, N.R., Sexton, A.N., Garces, K.R., Hazelwood, A.C., Christian, N.S., Discussion Modality and Exam Performance in Introductory Environmental Biology, National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference, 2022
  • Steffens, N.R., Ewald, P., An evolving pandemic: A systematic review of SARS-CoV-2 virulence. Society for the Study of Evolution, 2022
  • Steffens, N., Ewald, P., Chlamydia trachomatis infection and depression in university students. Annual Department of Biology Presentations, University of Louisville, 2022
  • Steffens, N. Ewald, P., The relative virulence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Graduate Student Regional Research Conference, 2022
  • Steffens, N., Ewald, P., An association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and depression in asymptomatic patients. International Meeting on Emerging Diseases and Surveillance, 2021