Faculty and Staff
Our faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, research and service. The interests of our faculty range across a broad horizon of basic and applied areas. To find out more about each member of the department, please select a section below.
Click the arrow for more informationFaculty, Lecturers, Adjuncts and Post-Doctoral Researchers
Arkov, Alexey, Professor. BS, MS, Moscow State University (Russia); PhD, University of Texas-Houston Health
Science Center. We are interested in understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms
of germline and stem cell development. In addition, we aim at the identification of
novel molecular factors which promote longevity of living organisms. email Dr. Arkov | Arkov Lab.
Beckers, Oliver M., Assistant Professor. MS, Friedrich-Alexander University (Germany); PhD, University of Missouri Columbia.
I am fascinated by the evolution of animal behavior. More specifically, I study how
the environment (i.e., phenotypic plasticity), female choice (i.e., sexual selection),
and parasitoids (i.e., natural selection) affect the evolution of reproductive communication
in insects. My lab is currently working on two of the only three described Orthopteran
species that exhibit phenotypic plasticity in their mating calls. email Dr. Oliver Beckers | youtube | Beckers lab.
Bried, Jason, Lecturer. BS, Paul Smith's College (New York); MS, Mississippi State University; PhD, Oklahoma
State University. I'm a community ecologist, wetland ecologist, and odonatologist.
I study spatial community patterns and drivers, wetland classification and bioassessment,
and am interested in anything related to aquatic insects (especially dragonflies and
damselflies). email Dr. Bried | Bried Lab.
Canning, David R., Associate Professor and Houston Endowed Chair of Pre-Medicine. BSc [hons], Manchester University; DPhil, University of Oxford. Research Interests:
We study the epigenetic factors affecting the differentiation of neural stem cells
in the stem cell niche. We also take examine theoretical aspects of gene expression
profiles in morphogenetic fields. email Dr. Canning.
Caudell, Joe N., Adjunct Professor. BS, University of Georgia, MS, Utah State University, PhD, Utah State University
(wildlife biology) (2001). Indiana Department of Natural Resources, State Deer Research
Biologist. email Dr. Caudell.
Cooper, Michael R., Lecturer. BS, MS Murray State University; PhD University of Louisville. My background is in
microbiology. I have studied nitrogen fixation in an Agrobacterium species isolated from the Ledbetter Embayment. This was followed by the discovery
of an atmospheric nitrogen acquisition process in the corn smut-causing fungus, Ustilago maydis. Using stable isotope ratio analysis I demonstrated that corn smut is able to uptake
and metabolize dinitrogen tracer subsequently utilized by the cells as incorporated
biomolecules. email Dr. Cooper.
Darracq, Andrea, Assistant Professor. BS, University of Maine; MS, University of Arkansas-Monticello; PhD, University of
Florida. I am interested in how wildlife respond to management and anthropogenic stressors,
including urbanization, agriculture, and invasive species. I address these impacts
on individuals (e.g. predation risk and stress) and populations. I aim to understand
the broader implications of individual and population level impacts on ecosystem health
and for my research to help inform the management and conservation of wildlife. email Dr. Darracq | Darracq lab.
Derting, Terry L., Professor. BA, Mount Holyoke College; MS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University;
PhD, Indiana University. My research interests are twofold. As a mammalogist, I study
impacts of anthropogenic stressors, such as habitat fragmentation, on the health of
small mammals. As an educator, my research focuses on effective approaches to faculty
professional development and improved student learning in higher education. email Dr. Derting | Derting lab.
Fritz, Kelley, Post Doctoral Researcher. BS, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; MS, Clarion University of Pennsylvania;
PhD, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I am an aquatic ecologist broadly interested
in food webs and spatial subsidies, in particular resource subsidies between aquatic
and terrestrial ecosystems and how these fluxes affect communities in recipient systems.
My current research focuses on impacts of disturbance and restoration on stream and
riparian ecosystems in Colorado. email Dr. Fritz | Fritz lab.
Flinn, Michael, Interim Chair and Associate Professor. BA, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota; MS, Kansas State University; PhD. Southern
Illinois University - Carbondale. I am an aquatic community ecologist with a wide
range of interests which have recently included the use of aquatic macroinvertebrates
for bioassessment in stream restoration and Arctic scaling studies, the role of invasive
Asian carp on reservoir biology, and the reintroduction of native fish species. email Dr. Flinn, Graduate Coordinator | Flinn lab.
Fuller, Claire A., Interim Dean and Professor. BA, University of California, San Diego; MS, PhD, Oregon State University. I study
how environmental factors affect the host-parasite ecology of terrestrial insects.
I am especially interested in how climate change affects Caribbean termites and how
agricultural chemicals affect dragonflies. email Dr. Fuller | Fuller lab.
He, Kate S., Professor. BS, MS, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; PhD, University of Western Ontario,
London, Canada. I am interested in large-scale species distribution modelling using
information derived from remote sensing and biophysical traits of plant species. I
also study the characteristics of invasive plants and their impacts on native ecosystems. email Dr. He | He lab.
Hendricks, Susan P., Senior Research Scientist. BS, University of Michigan, MA, Western Michigan University, PhD, University of Michigan.
I study subsurface hydrology, biogeochemical transformations of nutrients (carbon,
phosphorus and nitrogen), and microbial ecology of hyporheic/hypolentic zones of stream
and lake ecosystems. email Dr. Hendricks | Hendricks lab.
Jog, Suneeti, Assistant Professor. BSc, MSc University of Mumbai (India), PhD Cleveland State University. My research
interests primarily focus on floristics, plant community characterization, and vegetation
approaches to wetland condition assessment. I am broadly interested in vegetation-based
tools to assess natural areas and understand plant diversity (taxonomic and phylogenetic)
changes in response to environmental and anthropogenic factors. email Dr. Jog.
Nakamura, Suguru, Associate Professor. MD, Jiangxi Medical University; PhD, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. My research
laboratory is focused on determining the physiological and pathological role of H+
secretion pumps of H+-ATPase (potassium-independent) and H+-K+-ATPase (potassium-dependent)
in normal tissue homeostasis and disease processes. email Dr. Nakamura | Nakamura lab.
Saar, Dayle E., Associate Professor Emeritus. BS, Benedictine University, Illinois; MBA, North Texas State University, Denton, TX;
MS, PhD, Northern Illinois University. I study molecular plant systematics and population
genetics, biogeography, conservation of rare and endangered species as well as the
biology of invasive plant species. email Dr. Saar.
Spier, Timothy W., Associate Professor. BS, Truman State University; MS, Morehead State University; PhD, University of Southern Illinois,
Carbondale. I am a fish ecologist interested in fish, watersheds, and all things involved
with aquatic ecology. I study both game and non-game native fishes. email Dr. Spier | Spier lab.
Sullivan Beckers, Laura, Assistant Professor. BA, University of Tulsa; BS Northeastern State University; PhD University of Missouri-Columbia.
I am an evolutionary biologist interested in understanding the ecological conditions
that influence the evolution of reproductive traits. I am particularly interested
in exploring the role of the social environment in shaping selective environments.
My current research program uses wolf spiders to examine the evolution of cognitive
traits involved in the mating displays and decisions of these spiders. email Dr. Sullivan Beckers | Sullivan Beckers Lab. Dr. Sullivan Beckers' You-Tube feed and Facebook page.
Trzepacz, Chris, Assistant Professor. BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst; PhD. University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine, Ohio. My research group explores the conserved pathways and mechanisms that
regulate fertility in multicellular organisms, primarily through the cellular, molecular,
and genetic dissection of the amazing model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. email Dr. Trzepacz.
Weinberger, Dena R., Assistant Professor. BA, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
I study nervous system development and function using the zebrafish as a model. I
am investigating two related projects: 1. Is there neurotransmitter-receptor plasticity
in the zebrafish neuromuscular junction? and 2. What is the role of Cabin1, a calcium-dependent
repressor protein, in the development and function of the cerebellum, the site of
motor learning and coordination. email Dr. Weinberger.
Whiteman, Howard H., Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of Watershed Studies Institute. BS, Allegheny College; PhD, Purdue University. My interests span evolutionary ecology
and conservation biology, particularly in aquatic systems. My research focuses on
the evolution of alternative strategies, ecological consequences of predator-prey
interactions, and understanding the distribution and restoration of biodiversity. email Dr. Whiteman | Whiteman lab.
Wright, Sterling N., Associate Professor. BS, Texas Tech University; MS, Texas Tech University; PhD, University of Texas at
Austin. The research in our laboratory examines the pharmacology and biophysics of
voltage-dependent sodium channels. We investigate the influence of local anesthetic
agents and naturally occurring neurotoxins on the gating kinetics of the channels. email Dr. Wright | Wright lab.
ZeRuth, Gary T., Assistant Professor. BS, PhD, University of South Florida. My lab’s research is primarily focused on understanding
how transcription factors mediate development, function, and disease. The principal
focus is on the transcription factor, Glis3 and its role in the development and maintenance
of the endocrine pancreas and the pathogenesis of diabetes. email Dr. ZeRuth | Zeruth Lab.
Graduate Students
Melody Feden. (Advisor: Dr. Howard Whiteman) My field site is in western Colorado where I am looking at the influence of beaver activity on a degraded stream in a desert ecosystem. Specifically, how beavers effect stream temperature, macroinvertebrate communities, and decomposition. email Melody Feden.
John Hewlett. (Advisor: Dr. Andrea Darracq) My research is at the interface of endocrinology, wildlife
disease epidemiology, and ecology. Specifically I study how stress physiology affects
disease susceptibility and behavioral ecology with methods ranging from radio-telemetry
to molecular techniques. email John Hewlett.
Andrew Lydeard (Advisor: Dr. Tim Spier) I am an ecologist studying ecology and population structure
of fish found in Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area and the surrounding agricultural
watersheds. email Andrew Lydeard.
Russell Milam. (Advisor: Dr. Terry Derting) I'm conducting a genetic analysis study for the diets
of endangered Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) maternity colonies in Kentucky. The results
from my research will offer the first species-specific diet information of these bats
and provide a more in-depth understanding of premium foraging habitats. This information
can be used to more effectively manage a critically endangered species. email Russell Milam.
Jacob Pease. (Advisor: Dr. Howard Whiteman) My research pertains to the multidisciplinary reintroduction
of the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in some of Kentucky’s public lands. This project focuses on combining principles
of GIS, conservation, forestry, remote sensing, and forest ecology to streamline the
reintroduction process for native tree species that face extirpation or extinction
by anthropogenic factors. email Jacob Pease.
Dan Schoenberg. (Advisor: Dr. Laura Sullivan Beckers) The focus of my research is on the development
and use of biochemicals in communication and aggression in the context of courtship/copulation
of spiders. email Dan Schoenberg.
Christy Soldo. (Advisor: Dr. Michael Flinn) My research focuses on the responses of macroinvertebrate
communities following wetland restoration. email Christy Soldo.
Kiersten Youngquist. (Advisor: Dr. Andrea Darracq) My research takes a look at interactions between native
and invasive species and how they play a role in the physiological stress response
of the native species. Specifically, I hope to take a deeper dive into understanding
the relationship between native freshwater mussel species and the invasive Asian clam
using bivalve filtration rates and an understanding of the stress response of the
mussels. email Kiersten Youngquist.
Recent Emeritus Faculty
Duobinis-Gray, Leon F., Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences (parasite populations, dynamics of freshwater
vertebrates and invertebrates, histology, pathology). BS, MS, East Tennessee State
University; PhD, Louisiana State University. email Dr. Duobinis-Gray.
Johnston, Timothy C., Professor. BA, Harding College; MS, Murray State University; PhD, Southern Illinois
University. email Dr. Johnston
Martin, Robert A., Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences (mammal evolution, paleoecology) (1993).
BA, Hofstra University; MS, Tulane University; PhD, University of Florida. email Dr. Martin.
Timmons, Tom J., Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences (fisheries biology) (1982). BS, Iowa State
University; MS, Tennessee Technological University; PhD, Auburn University. email Dr. Timmons.
White, David S., Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences. AB, MA, DePauw University; PhD, University
of Louisville. email Dr. White.
White, Stephen B., Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences (ornithology, wildlife biology and management,
animal damage control) (1981). BS, West Virginia University; MS, Colorado State University;
PhD, Ohio State University.
Zimmerer, Edmund J., Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences, Emeritus (behavioral genetics, molecular
genetics, herpetology) (1989). BS, Moravian College; MS, PhD, Rutgers University. email Dr. Zimmerer.
Staff
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