Faculty, 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.

Brock, Mason, Adjunct Professor.  BS, Eastern Kentucky University, MS, Austin Peay State University. I am a botanist who is interested in plant taxonomy and floristics in the Southeast. I have worked on documenting riverscour habitats, and my current interests are grassland remnants in Kentucky and Tennessee.  email Prof. Brock.

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 understanding how we can conserve and manage wildlife to promote healthy ecosystems. Specifically, I am interested in how wildlife respond to management and anthropogenic changes, including urbanization, agriculture, and invasive species. I address these impacts on individuals (e.g. predation risk and stress), populations, and communities. email Dr. Darracq.

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.

Dugas, Matt, Post-Doctoral Researcher.  BA, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY; PhD, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. I study the evolution of communication, and am particularly interested in the selective pressures that shape signaling and cooperation within families. Study organisms include songbirds, freshwater minnows, and tropical and desert frogs.

Flinn, Michael, 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., Chair 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.

Gagnon, Paul R., Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and Watershed Studies Institute. BA, Baylor University, Waco, TX; MFS, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; Ph.D. Louisiana State University. I study how ecological disturbances like fires, windstorms, and habitat fragmentation affect plant populations and communities to ultimately shape landscapes. email Dr. Gagnon | Gagnon 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. 

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, Curator, MSU Herbarium . 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., Assistant 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 Becker's 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.

White, David S., Professor of Biological Sciences, Director of Hancock Biological Station, and Commonwealth Endowed Chair for Ecosystem Studies. AB, MA, DePauw University; PhD, University of Louisville. My primary research interests are in aquatic ecosystems with a present focus on long-term and real-time biogeochemical patterns in rivers and lakes in relation to climate change and invasive species. A secondary interest is the ecology and systematics of riffle beetles (Elmidae). email Dr. White | White lab.

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.

Recent emeritus faculty and staff

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. My students and I are working on projects that fall into three categories: 1) differential gene expression of the proteins involved in bacterial bioluminescence, 2) the archaeal community in the sediments of Kentucky Lake and 3) nitrogen fixation in Agrobacterium.  email Dr. Johnston

Lackey, Alycia R., Postdoctoral Researcher of Biological Sciences and Watershed Studies Institute (evolutionary and behavioral ecology, conservation biology) (2014). BS, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; PhD, Michigan State University.  email Dr. Lackey.

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, 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

Plummer, Debbie. Administrative Assistant 

Ridley, Liz. Accounting Assistant

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