This summer, Lee Hughes, associate professor of biological sciences, was named an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer, an honor bestowed on the nation's most acclaimed lecturers and researchers. Hughes will travel throughout the U.S. lecturing at the group's state meetings about his work studying the early research experiences of undergraduate biology majors to help improve student retention, as well as using innovative teaching strategies such as hybrid and online classes. Hughes also is director of UNT's Howard Hughes Medical Institute program, which provides research opportunities for undergraduates majoring in biology and biochemistry.