Borchert earned his Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Iowa and completed two post-doctoral research appointments in internationally renowned labs investigating structural aspects of microRNAs. With a dual appointment in the department of biology, he joined the faculty at the University of South Alabama in 2012.
Since his appointment at USA, Borchert has published 60 scientific papers in well-regarded journals and has had numerous external grants awarded, totaling more than $2.7 million. In August, he was awarded two National Science Foundation grants – one for $1 million to study Salmonella survival during cellular stress and the other for $425,000 to study the role of enhancer DNA sequences in gene expression. Borchert’s work in noncoding RNAs and in G-quadroplex (G4) structures has been recognized at national levels with several prestigious awards. In 2015 he was conferred NSF’s Genetics Mechanisms Career Award; and this year, he was an invited member of the NSF Ideas Lab, a select group of expert participants in a think tank advancing research ideas focused on noncoding RNAs.
In addition to his achievements in the lab, Borchert has demonstrated teaching excellence and generous mentoring. He has been selected by students for Mortar Board’s Top Prof recognition four times. Borchert has engaged with undergraduate researchers annually, and several members of his lab have been recognized. His student mentees have won thesis awards, undergraduate research awards, and Goldwater Scholar funding.
