Jacquelyn Black received her B.A., B.S., and M.S. from the University of Chicago and her Ph.D. from Catholic University of America. She has been teaching microbiology to undergraduates since 1970. She is a member of the American Society for Microbiology, and she has received grants for conducting teacher-training programs.

In May of 2000, the Washington Academy of Sciences gave Jackie the Leo Schubert Award for Excellence in Teaching of Science in College. This award is given for exceptional teaching and writing in the field of microbiology, with particular emphasis on the teaching of undergraduate students.

In addition to her extensive teaching experience, Dr. Black has engaged in fieldwork and studies throughout the globe. Her travels have taken her from the interior of Iceland to Belgium, Germany, Lappland, China, South America, Portugal, tot he barrier reef of Belize, and most recently to over a dozen universities in Russia.

Dr. Black describes herself as an "incorrigible snoop," interested in all the various aspects and applications of microbiology. This natural curiosity, coupled with her classroom and laboratory experience, makes her uniquely qualified to author an introductory microbiology textbook. This book conveys her sense of excitement for microbiology and offers the most current information on developments and applications within this field.