“Every time you’re with a student, you’re teaching them.” It’s a philosophy that UW-Stevens Point Associate Professor of Biology Sarah Orlofske puts into practice every day.
She has been honored with the 2026 University Excellence in Teaching Award, nominated by her students and peers for the positive impacts of her teaching in the classroom, in the field and in the lab.
The Orlofske Parasitology Lab is one of the most active labs in the School of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, with students engaged in studies year-round. Undergraduate students explore biological specimens taken primarily from freshwater snails and birds─their DNA extracted and analyzed. To date, 82 of Orlofske’s students have presented research on host-parasite interactions for over a decade, spanning local, regional and national conferences.
Senior biology major Katherine Garcia attended the Annual Midwestern Association of Parasitologist Conference, for a second consecutive time, in late June and showcased her research poster on songbird parasites with Orlofske. Garcia said she will work toward her next goal of sharing an oral presentation at the next conference, with Orlofske’s support.
She is fascinated by the Avian malaria research she now leads with several other students. Garcia has been working in the lab since her first semester and now trains members of the research team. That involves maintaining records, proper handling of specimens, asking for help when a blood smear lab sample slide is accidentally cracked─the list is long!
Her interest in microbiology has only grown deeper since her first exposure and since completing Orlofske’s courses in General Ecology and Parasitology.
“She is always open to listen to feedback and really does go above and beyond for her students,” Garcia said. “She is very enthusiastic and develops her courses to meet a range of undergraduate interests.”
With her interest in veterinary science, Garcia said she most enjoyed assigned case studies about animal diseases. The parasitology material was challenging but she said Orlofske teaches the subject matter in a way that engages a wide array of students.
Orlofske shares her passion for getting to the bottom of research questions. The students in her Ecological Methods prepare ahead of time and then use their time in a wetlands field trip in hands-on application of their course concepts, collecting water samples, amphibian surveys, or identifying aquatic invertebrates. Students appreciate the significance of putting their studies into practice, understanding how, microscopic as they are, parasites play a role in ecology.
“I set the stage and the students take the leading roles. I give them opportunities, the tools and the guidance and their learning is making the most of that,” said Orlofske.
The success of the Parasitology Lab is also a credit to her organization behind the scenes, the partnerships developed with the Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association staff and her academic collaborators across the country.
The University Award follows a University Scholar Award in 2022 and the Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship, and Service Award in 2023. Orlofske said what binds the recognition together is her love for teaching.
“I came here to teach and research to me is a part of teaching. Whether it’s in lectures or leading them in the lab, I wanted to impact my students and teaching was always a big part of what drove me and my career,” she said.
Eager student researchers have the benefit of diligently working under Orlofske, a leader in the parasitology field. She received the prestigious and rare award last year, the Henry Baldwin Ward Medal, presented to professional members of the American Society of Parasitologists with leadership in research.
Her teaching partnership has continued on with ’24 alumna Roxanne Gasperetti, a Ph.D. student at the University of North Dakota. Gasperetti led a number of studies at UWSP with Orlofske’s guidance. She is lead author on research published in the March 2026 Journal of Parasitology. Gasperetti, Orlofske and investigators from Georgia (Tyler Achatz) and North Dakota (Vasyl Tkach), described a new species of parasitic flatworm, the Pseudapatemon species was collected from American woodcock collected in Wisconsin and Nebraska.
Their paper was published in the journal Acta Parasitologica detailing how the parasite Pseudapatemon is specific to the family of scolopacid shorebirds. That original research using gene sequencing was published in May 2025.
Orlofske does her part in fostering a culture of collaboration across the departments at UWSP, making sure she can share information about future opportunities in research studies. As member of the department’s Research Committee, she connects students to crucial summer research opportunities. A part of the Department of Biology Assessment and Program Review Committee, she helps shape the responsible usage of resources and she focuses the team on maximizing positive outcomes for programs.
In the BIOL 107, Exploring Biology, general education course she created, Orlofske said she values the broad impact she is seeing. Students will learn through the scientific method and hone their critical thinking skills, even if they are not training for a science-based career.
“I see students as future colleagues and professionals, people who are just starting off in their career. It’s an honor to have the ability to shape them, watch them mature, and help them to get more clarity on their path,” she said.