Karla Farmer-Diaz, BSc, MSc, PhD

Karla Farmer-Diaz is a microbiologist and educator with over a decade of experience teaching and mentoring students in microbiology and genetics at St. George’s University (SGU). She read her BSc, Biology at St. John’s University in New York in 2009. She furthered her education by completing her Masters of Science, Microbiology (2015) and PhD, Microbiology (2025) at SGU. She was appointed a Research Scientist at the Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF) in 2025.

Currently, she holds the post of Instructor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pharmacology at SGU, where she has led upper-level microbiology courses and developed new graduate-level courses in microbial genomics and genetics. Her research explores molecular diagnostics, host–microbe interactions, antimicrobial resistance, and wastewater-based detection of viral pathogens, especially in underserved and resource-limited settings.

She is a core member of SGU’s wastewater testing team, helping design and implement local surveillance for SARS-CoV-2. Her clinical service included weekly STI NAAT testing (DNA extraction and RT-PCR), data interpretation, and reporting. She has led and contributed to multiple abstracts, posters, and oral presentations nationally, regionally and internationally (SGU Research Day, CARPHA, ASCP), and her peer-reviewed publications include studies on wastewater sources and on optimized aluminum-hydroxide concentration methods for viral detection in wastewater.

Karla is passionate about inquiry-driven, inclusive learning and supporting students from diverse backgrounds as they pursue careers in health and biomedical research.

Her areas of interest covers molecular microbiology, environmental health, and health equity with recent publications and presentations focused on optimizing virus detection methods in wastewater and developing surveillance strategies relevant to small island nations and remote communities.