Herbert W. House, Professor of Biology and Chair of
Health Professions
B.S. Biology – Wake Forest University; M.S. Biology
– University of South Carolina; Ph.D. Biology –
University of South Carolina
Office: MCM 224E; Phone: 278-6187; E-mail: househ@elon.edu;
URL: http://www.elon.edu/househ
My teaching career really began as a lab assistant in
general biology labs at Wake Forest University where I was a
premed student. A teaching assistantship was available at the
University of South Carolina that led to research on brain
enzymes while working towards M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in
Biology. I also earned money during summers as a hospital
orderly. It was during this period that I married Sarah, my
wife.
After teaching biology for six years at Lander College, my
wife, daughter and I left Greenwood, South Carolina, and came
to Elon in 1977. My wife and I live in Burlington with our
poodle Snuggles. I enjoy outside activities such as biking,
hiking, and camping as well as reading.
My primary teaching responsibilities include Human Anatomy,
Human Physiology, and General Biology.
Memberships include ODK, the Sierra Club, Human Anatomy and
Physiology Society, The American Physiological Society,
Association of Southeastern Biologists, and charter
membership in the Elon University Sigma Mu chapter of Beta
Beta Beta.
As chair of the Health Professions Advising Committee, I
oversee the advising and evaluation of students wishing to go
into a variety of health professions.
Nancy E. Harris. Associate Professor of Biology and
Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
B.S.-University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Zoology;
B.S.-North Carolina State University, Horticultural Science;
Ph.D.-North Carolina State University, Plant Pathology
Office: ALA 107D; Phone: 278-6191; E-mail: harris@elon.edu
As you can see from my degrees, my academic training has
been somewhat varied. What doesn't show up is the two
plus years of medical school at UNC Chapel Hill which came in
between my two undergraduate degrees. Some of us take rather
circuitous paths in our lives as we try to find the most
appropriate and satisfying niche! No time spent learning is a
waste, I have discovered. The years in medical school have
enabled me to have special insights into that career path and
to help advise students who have an interest in pursuing
medicine. I have also been able to teach courses such as
human anatomy and physiology and human histology. Having
spent approximately equal time studying animals and plants
has enabled me to cross some boundaries in various classes
and draw interesting connections.
I currently teach the following courses: general botany,
plant physiology, science without borders, human histology,
the field course in Belize and Elon 101. In past years, I
have taught the following courses: general biology for
nonmajors, global studies, intro cell biology for majors,
senior seminar, symbiosis and others.
My doctoral research involved trying to characterize the
nature of the resistance of specific peanut germplasm to a
very virulent fungal root pathogen. The research primarily
involved microanatomical studies. I guess for this reason I
am fascinated by microanatomy and probably insert more of
this than I should in my classes and labs! My current
research interests relate primarily to plant physiological
questions, which arise out of student projects. I have
supervised several students in undergraduate research
involving physiological questions such as effects of
phytohormones on plant water loss and the nature of plastids
in albino leaf tissue. I am very willing to work with
students interested in questions related to plant
function.
I have served the Biology Department as either a Co-Chair or
as Chair. Currently, I am serving as the Associate Dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences. I maintain a close
connection with the Biology Department and continue to teach
1 or 2 courses per year. I welcome students to come and talk
to me about biology, courses, research, careers and other
issues.
I live on a farm near Graham where my husband raises cattle
when he is not practicing dentistry. The other members of our
family include my 22-year-old daughter Wendy, six dogs, four
cats and a tank of fish. My favorite things to do are
reading, gardening, hunting for antiques, walking the track
and spending time at the coast.
Kathy Gallucci, Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S.-LeMoyne College, Biology; M.S.-University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Marine Sciences; Doctoral
studies-North Carolina State University, Science
Education
Office: MCMI 224D; Phone: 278-6180; E-mail: gallucci@elon.edu
Before going on to graduate school, I taught high school
biology in Syracuse, N.Y., and worked as a lab technician and
phlebotomist in Syracuse and Huntsville, Ala., where I was
briefly a veterinary technician as well. In 1977, we moved to
Greensboro where I worked as a chemical analyst in a quality
control laboratory at Pfizer Inc. When I went back to
graduate school, I began to study algal-bacterial
interactions in the algal blooms on the Chowan River, N.C. I
continued this research until I came to Elon in 1984. Two
papers have been published as a result of this research in
Applied and Environmental Microbiology and Science.
I love to study small things, especially bacteria, algae,
and fruit flies. At Elon, I have taught the introductory
biology labs for both majors and nonmajors and have written
manuals for Bio 102 and Bio 114. I was the lab coordinator
for Bio 102 for 14 years and I am the Bio 101 coordinator
since 1998. I coordinated the GlaxoSmithKline Women in
Science Scholars program here at Elon from 2001 until 2004
and taught Women in Science (GST 388) in 2000 and the Global
Experience for two academic years (2002-2004). My
professional interests also include bioethics, the nature of
science, and the evolution-creation controversy.
In 2001, I received the opportunity to study tropical plants
at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii and
learned how to incorporate them in my biology classes. Since
then, I have assisted at the same course for biology
professors and symposia sponsored by the Garden and have used
tropical plant ideas in presentations for instructors at
national meetings. More recently, I have become interested in
the case study method of instruction and how it affects
students' learning. I am currently working on my
doctorate in science education, and I am focusing on the case
study method in my dissertation.
Environmental issues are a personal passion of mine and I
have drafted position statements and lobbied on behalf of a
national environmental organization. I am a Girl Scout leader
and also enjoy camping, travel, and theater. My
artist-husband, Jim, has his own business in Greensboro where
he fabricates large outdoor sculptures. We have two children,
Mario and Madeline, who are also artists.
Michael B. Kingston, Chair and Associate Professor
of Biology
B.S.-Long Island University, Southampton, Marine Science;
M.S.-University of California, Irvine, Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology; Ph.D.-Duke University, Botany
Office: MCMI 124E; Phone: 278-6182; E-mail: kingston@elon.edu;
URL: http://www.elon.edu/kingston
I am one of the marine biologists. Although, my research
interests focus on the evolutionary ecology of marine and
freshwater algae, feel free to come by to talk about marine
mammals, fishes, or any marine science topic that interests
you. A special area of interest for me is photobiology--the
interaction between light and living systems, which includes
phototaxis, vision, and photosynthesis. My previous research
projects include phytoplankton community dynamics in Lake
Huron, the ecology and zonation of intertidal seaweeds in
California, and the vertical migration rhythms of benthic
microalgae living on coastal sand flats in North Carolina. My
current research interests are focused on the benthic
microalgae of Piedmont streams in the Burlington/Elon area.
In addition to my own research interests, I have advised many
students in research areas of their own choosing or projects
related to my own research. Past student research projects
included feeding behavior in fiddler crabs, visual perception
of freshwater fishes, community metabolism of a small pond,
vertical migration of pond phytoplankton, an assessment of
Hurricane Fran damage to Cedarock Park, seasonal effects on
human mortality, fish herbivory on tropical sea grasses,
black band disease on Carribean corals, vertical migration of
microalgae on southern Californian beaches, and slope
inclination and aspect effects on tree fall during Hurricane
Fran.
Recent courses I have taught include Ecology, Current Issues
in Biology, Aquatic Biology, Introduction to Population
Biology, Senior Seminar, and Environmental Issues in
Southeast Asia. I am a member of the Beta Beta Beta
Biological Honor Society, the Ecological Society of America,
the Phycological Society of America, the Association of
Southeastern Biologists, the North Carolina Academy of
Science, Sigma Xi, and Project Kaleidoscope's Faculty for
the 21st Century.
I live in Elon with my wife Mona, who is also a marine
biologist and adjunct professor in the department, our son
Robert, our daughter Connie, and our 15 year old cat Felini.
My interests include snorkeling, hiking, reading, and playing
with my children.
Robert Vick, Associate Professor of Biology
B.A.-Wake Forest University; Ph.D.-Medical College of
Virginia
Office: MCMI 220; Phone: 278-6205; E-mail: vickrs@elon.edu
I came to Elon University in 1995 with a wide background in
physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, biochemistry, and
neurochemistry. My doctoral research examined the specific
proteolysis of the hormone prolactin and the effects the
cleaved subunits had on various organs. Part of my
postdoctoral work involved remyelination of the adult central
nervous system, with emphasis on the role of the
oligodendrocyte. Another part of my postdoctoral work
involved examining gene changes in response to recurrent
seizures, specifically in the hippocampus. I am currently
interested in the role of glial cells in the central nervous
system in both remyelination and seizure.
I teach Human Anatomy (BIO 161) and Human Physiology (BIO
162) almost every semester, and I teach Developmental Biology
(BIO 316) every 4th semester. I teach in an interactive
style, one that involves the student as an active learner. I
am also the faculty advisor for the Lincoln PreMedical
Society, the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, and am currently
the chair of the Faculty Research and Development
committee.
When I am not in my office, classroom, or laboratory, I can
usually be found exercising, reading scientifically related
material, or listening to my shortwave radio. Please feel
free to stop by and introduce yourself.
Below is a representative list of publications:
1. Vick, RS, S-J Chen, and GH DeVries (1990) The isolation,
characterization, and culture of adult rat oligodendrocytes.
J Neurosci Res. 25(4):524-534.
2. Vick, RS, TJ Neuberger, and GH DeVries (1991) Role of
adult oligodendrocytes in remyelination after neural injury.
J Neurotrauma. 8(suppl 2):S93-S104.
3. Perlin, J, C Gerwin, DM Panchision, RS Vick, ER Jakoi,
and RJ DeLorenzo (1993) Kindling produces long-lasting and
selective changes in genetic
expressions of hippocampal neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci, USA,
90(5): 1741- 1745.
4. Vick, RS, A Rafiq, DA Coulter, ER Jakoi, and RJ DeLorenzo
(1996) GABAA 2 mRNA levels are decreased following induction
of spontaneous epileptiform discharges in
hippocampal-entorhinal cortical slices. Brain Research, 721:
111-119.
Janet MacFall, Coordinator of the Environmental
Studies Program and Associate Professor of Biology
B.S.-Juniata College, Biology; M.S.-University of Maryland,
Botany; Ph.D.- University of Wisconsin, Plant Pathology
Office: MCMI 124B; Phone: 278-6202; E-mail: macfall@elon.edu
I am the Coordinator of Environmental Studies at Elon
University as well as being a member of the faculty of the
Dept. of Biology. My career in science began with an interest
in environmental science that was nurtured at a small college
similar to Elon. I completed my master's degree studying
interactions between cultivated and wild fungi. I then served
as a faculty member for the University of Delaware, studying
systems of induced resistance in plants, mechanisms plants
develop for defense against disease. I then moved to the
Midwest for my doctoral degree in plant pathology, although I
worked on a topic more related to soil ecology. Nearly all
plants have fungi growing on their roots, which help them in
nutrient and water uptake, making them more competitive in
nature. My research focused on these relationships from a
physiological and an ecological perspective. I named a new
species of mushroom which was symbiotic on pines, and studied
their interactions. Following this work, I went to Duke
University where I was appointed a Research Assistant
Professor in both the School of the Environment and the Duke
University Medical Center. I was fortunate to be able to
continue study of soil ecology and plant/microbe interactions
as well as to use magnetic resonance imaging, a state of the
art medical technology, to study these relationships. At this
time, however, I was also fortunate in having the opportunity
to develop and teach two courses, Belowground Ecosystems and
Applied Ecology. I found working with students to be a
challenging and extremely rewarding experience, and I
welcomed the opportunity to come to Elon. I also look forward
to the opportunity to work with students and faculty in
developing a new and exciting, multi-disciplinary program in
Environmental studies.
My home life centers on my family and family activities. I
live in Graham with my husband James, a health physicist on
the faculty at Duke Univ., my two daughters Julia and Jaime,
three cats and three horses. Most of our free time is spent
riding, gardening, canoeing, hiking or playing sports. I have
also been actively involved with the Girl Scouts for many
years.
I teach Introduction to Environmental Science, Organismal
Biology and Field Techniques, Introduction to Biology,
General Botany, Geographical Information Systems, and
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar although I would love to
hear what other courses students would be interested in
attending related to Environmental Studies. Although you are
Biology majors, I invite you to explore the new options for
students interested in the scientific aspects of
Environmental Studies as well as the opportunities for a
multi-disciplinary course of study.
Gregory J. Haenel, Associate Professor of
Biology
B.S. -Ohio University, Zoology; Ph.D. -University of
Pennsylvania, Biology
Office: MCMI 124F; Phone 278-6283; E-mail: haenel@elon.edu
My lifelong interest in the outdoors is what eventually lead
me to my career in the biological sciences. I teach
population biology and evolutionary biology courses in the
Biology Department and Introductory Environmental Science in
the Environmental Studies Program. In my research, I enjoy
both field and lab work and focus on questions that deal with
animals in their natural environment. I have combined
ecological field studies and molecular biology to address
both ecological and evolutionary questions. For example, DNA
fingerprinting techniques allow me to directly measure
reproductive success of male lizards while they are living
and behaving in their natural, undisturbed populations. I
have used a treadmill to measure physiological performance
(endurance) of lizards and then, with DNA fingerprinting, I
measured reproductive success of these same individuals. This
allowed me to address the question, “Does individual
level variation in physiology have an evolutionary impact on
populations?” I have also used DNA analyses to study
geographic variation in the wide-ranging Tree Lizard.
Students doing research with me have carried out research
projects that range from isolating microsatellite DNA from
lizards to paternity analyses of chimpanzees born in a mixed
sex captive population.
I also enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring quiet lakes in
my kayak. I have found the natural beauty and mild climate of
North Carolina make it a wonderful place to live and study
the environment. However, I am equally at home in the deserts
where I did much of my dissertation research or the mountains
of Montana where I love to escape to from time to time.
Matthew W. Clark, Associate Professor of
Biology
Pitt Community College, Diploma-Surgical Technology; B.S.-
Johnson C. Smith University, Biology (General Science);
M.S.-North Carolina State University, Physiology; Ph.D.- East
Carolina University School of Medicine, Anatomy & Cell
Biology
Office: MCMI 116; Phone:278-6265; Email: mclark@elon.edu
My academic training and service has covered a vast area of
teaching, administration, and research endeavors, between the
States of North Carolina and Florida. I have taught basic
science courses to medical, allied health, and other science
students. Currently, I am teaching Human Gross Anatomy (BIO
161). My plans in the future are to establish and teach other
human based courses for Elon University.
I have been actively involved in outreach recruiting and
career planning for customers pursuing education through
college and university systems. This training has assisted
community leaders and I with skills that led to developing
various community-based learning and enrichment programs for
various counties in North Carolina. My research interest in
this area is to establish service oriented and funded
opportunities, that will help open doors for under served but
gifted and talent customers interested in pursing higher
education. As a minister, I am also continuing my training in
the areas of counseling and spiritual guidance.
My scientific research background and interest covers the
areas of musculo-skeletal dysfunctions (low back pain),
forensic medical science (parasitology/entomology), prostate
and breast oncology (epidemiology/molecular biology), sickle
cell anemia (epidemiology/molecular biology), and
neuroendocrinology (prolactin hormone regulation),
respectively.
Research and Campus Coordinator, National Institute of
Health Bridges Grant-Biomedical/Biotechnology
Health Science Coordinator/Instr., Science Department,
Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Union, NC.
1998: Adjunct Professor Biochemistry, Continuing Studies,
East Carolina
University (ECU), Greenville, NC
1998: Outreach Specialist, Student Development Department,
Pitt Community College, Greenville, NC.
1994-1997: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Department,
Florida A&M University,Tallahassee, Florida
1992-1994: Science Instructor, Science Department, Pitt
Community College Greenville, NC.
1991-1992: Science-Computer Coordinator, Cornerstone, Free
Will Baptist Church, Greenville, NC
1990-1992: Teaching Assistant, Center for Student
Opportunities, School of Medicine, ECU, Greenville, NC.
1985-1986: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Biology Department,
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Linda M. Niedziela, Assistant Professor of
Biology
B.S. University of Pittsburgh – Biology; Ph.D. –
West Virginia University – Genetics
Office: MCMI 224A; Phone 278-6236; E-mail: lniedziela@elon.edu
I came to Elon University in 2001 with a variety of academic
and research experiences. My main research interests are in
the areas of genetic and molecular toxicology. The study of
the changes in the DNA and gene expression that occur in
response to occupational and environmental contaminants has
been at the center of my research. I am especially interested
in organisms with unique mechanisms of toxic response. I
began my career as a research scientist but decided I liked
the variety and student interactions found in academia.
During my time as a teacher/researcher I have been very
involved in the development of courses and programs related
to biotechnology. These efforts have always had a significant
component of student research in the classroom and out. I
plan to continue this approach. I would like to get Elon
students involved in some of the following projects:
refinement of a brine shrimp toxicity model to evaluate the
toxic potential of chemicals or water sources, basic
molecular studies of the developmental and toxic response
processes in brine shrimp, evaluation of the anti-microbial
and toxic effects of ozone, and comparisons of molecular
diversity in microbial populations.
Courses I teach include Introductory Cell Biology (BIO
111/113), Genetics (BIO 345) and Biotechnology (BIO 348) as
well as nonmajors biology. I strive to conduct interactive
classes centered on problem solving.
I think because all my research is done in the laboratory, I
spend a lot of time outdoors in my free time. I enjoy
camping, bird watching and live out in the country with my
husband, Carl; and two dogs, Pepper and Sparky. My husband
and I enjoy social dancing; including shag, polka, and square
dancing. My creative side comes out in my woodworking shop,
where I enjoy furniture making and power tools.
Brant W. Touchette, Assistant Professor of
Biology
B.A.-University of Delaware, Biology; M.S.- Nova
Southeastern University, Marine Biology; Ph.D.- North
Carolina State University, Botany
Office: MCMI 124A; Phone: 278-6185; E-mail: btouchette@elon.edu
My interest in aquatic biology began early in life --
growing up along the banks of the Chesapeake Bay in southern
Maryland. I enjoyed the beauty of the Bay and all the life
that resided within it. At the same time, I was saddened by
the ever-increasing pollution that entered these waters and
threatened this delicate ecosystem. This early indoctrination
in aquatic ecology has remained with me today, as I continue
to conduct research on the eco-physiology of aquatic plants.
The primary goal of my research is to understand how plants
have adapted to aquatic environments. Aquatic plants live in
environments that would be considered biologically stressful,
and these plants must contend with the stresses directly --
limited only to adjustments in their morphology and
physiology. Over the past ten years, I have used freshwater
and marine macrophytes as models of plants living in
stressful habitats. In comparison to terrestrial plants,
submersed marine plants, must contend with high salinity,
oxygen depleted sediments, periodic increases in
light-attenuating particles/epiphytes, and often growth
limiting supplies of nutrients and inorganic carbon. My
research on seagrass addresses questions concerning
modifications in physiology that allow them to survive in
marine shallow-water habitats. The physiology of seagrasses
are particularly interesting because they have evolved from
land predecessors that returned to the sea approximately 100
million years ago. Therefore, they retain numerous
physiological processes that are typical of terrestrial
plants, however they also have made a number of unique
adjustments in order to survive submerged in seawater.
On a more personal note, when not involved in biological
issues, I enjoy outdoor recreational activities, especially
sports such as soccer. When the weather is not amenable for
playing outdoors, I enjoy woodworking and refinishing antique
furniture.
Selected Publications:
Touchette, B.W., and J.M. Burkholder (2001) Nitrate
reductase activity in a submersed marine angiosperm:
controlling influences of environmental and physiological
factors. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 39: 583-593.
Touchette, B.W., and J.M. Burkholder (2000) Review of
nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism in seagrasses. J. Exp.
Mar. Biol. Ecol. 250: 133-167.
Mallin, M.A., J.M. Burkholder, M.R. Mclver, G.C. Shank, H.B.
Glasgow, Jr., B.W. Touchette, and J. Springer (1997)
Comparative effects of poultry and swine waste lagoon spills
on the quality of receiving streamwaters. J. Environ. Qual.
26: 1622-1631.
Touchette, B.W., C.M. Featherstone, and B.J. Baca. (1996)
The response of a south Florida mangrove wetland to
petroleum-hydrocarbon contamination: a comparison of three
mangrove species. In Southern Forested Wetlands Ecology and
Management. K.M. Flynn (Ed.) Clemson University Press,
Clemson SC. p. 223-227.
Jeffrey S. Coker, Assistant Professor of
Biology
B.S.-Davidson College, Biology; M.Ed.-North Carolina State
University, Science Education; Ph.D.-North Carolina State
University, Botany
Office: MCMI 224-C; Phone: 278-6206; E-mail: jcoker@elon.edu;
URL: http://www.elon.edu/facstaff/jcoker/
I joined the faculty at Elon University in 2004 and teach
Biology 101/102, The Global Experience, and Science Without
Borders.
My
research includes both educational and biological
projects.
The year after graduating from college, I decided to
“do something else for a year” before entering
medical school and took a job teaching high school biology,
chemistry, and calculus.
During this year, I discovered my passion for teaching,
decided against medical school, and opted for an academic
life instead.
In graduate school, I became deeply involved in both
biological and educational research, and completed graduate
degrees in both fields.
My publications have spanned a wide range of topics
including the ecology of eastern red cedars, gene expression
of V-ATPases in tomato plants, responses of plants to fire
damage, development of methods for analyzing DNA sequences,
and assessment of undergraduate research
experiences.
My
professional activities include being Chair of the Science
Education Committee of the N.C. Academy of Science and
Associate Editor for the Journal of Natural Resources and
Life Sciences Education.
My
odd assortment of life experiences include working on a hog
farm, waiting tables at Shoney’s, working in an
operating room, playing college baseball, studying classical
art and architecture in Europe and Eurasia, publishing a
couple dozen poems, and sky diving.
Life is
too short not to make it interesting.
My wife
Beth and I enjoy writing, traveling, gardening, contemplating
art, watching movies, running, scuba diving, and playing with
our cats.
Beth
recently left her chemical engineering career to become an
8th grade science teacher at Western Middle
School.
Selected
Publications:
Coker,
J.S. and Davies, E.
2004.
Identifying
adaptor contamination when mining DNA
sequence
data.
Biotechniques
37: 194-198.
Coker,
J.S. and Van Dyke, C.G.
2004.
Evaluation
of teaching and research
experiences
undertaken by botany majors at N.C. State
University.
NACTA
Journal.
In
press.
Coker,
J.S. and Davies, E.
2003.
Selection
of candidate housekeeping controls in
tomato
plants using EST data.
Biotechniques
35: 740-748.
Coker,
J.S., Jones, D., and Davies, E.
2003.
Identification,
conservation, and relative
expression
of V-ATPase cDNAs in tomato plants.
Plant
Molecular Biology Reporter
21:145-158.
Coker,
J.S. and Davies, E.
2002.
Involvement
of plant biologists in undergraduate and
high
school student research.
Journal
of Natural Resources and Life Science
Education
31: 44-47.
Douglas J. Stemke, Assistant Professor of
Biology
B.S. Southwest Texas State University (Microbiology); Ph.D.
Louisiana State University (Molecular Microbiology)
Office:MCMI 224B; Phone: 278-6188; E-mail: dstemke@elon.edu
While it is true that I was born in a hospital right outside
Louis Pasteur’s microbial research institute in Paris,
it was my activities as a naturalist in Pennsylvania, Alberta
(Canada), and Texas that ultimately directed me into a
life-long interest in Biology. As an undergraduate at
Southwest Texas State University, I became fascinated
increasingly with Microbiology as I found it to be an area of
the life sciences with almost limitless potential. After
Southwest I spent a summer working at Baylor College of
Medicine (Houston) isolating proteins from pathogenic
bacteria. Later that summer I moved into my graduate program
at Louisiana State University where I analyzed Curved
DNA’s role in transcription in the soil bacterium,
Bacillus subtilis.
Following graduate school, I found I wanted a wider
experience in microbiology and did so through four
postdoctoral positions. At the Center of Marine Biotechnology
in Baltimore, I had the chance to develop and identify
transcription systems in Methanosarcina, a member of the
primitive Archaeabacteria. At the University of Maryland
(Pharmacy School) I help identify bacterial enzymes that
could safely biodegrade the explosive Nitroglycerin. I then
worked at the Biological Process Technology Institute
(University of Minnesota St. Paul) with a Japanese
fermentation company to construct a microorganism which would
produce large quantities of an essential amino acid to help
meet developing nation’s nutritional needs. Finally,
also at BPTI, I was part of a research group that developed a
bacterial biosensor to detect dangerous levels of mercury
found in water and food items. My research interests reflect
these general themes in looking at a variety of questions in
the biological sciences using the available tools of
Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
I followed up these postdocs with two- two year teaching
positions; the first at the University of Minnesota Morris
and the second position at Hanover College in Indiana.
Collectively I’ve taught a variety of courses including
Microbiology, Advanced Microbiology, Biochemistry, General
Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Ecology and
Evolution, Non-Majors Biology and Nature Photography.
Currently I will be teaching Introductory Cell Biology,
Molecular Cell Biology and Microbiology here at Elon.
On a personal note I love discussing a wide variety of areas
in the Biological, Chemical and Physical Sciences and relish
the opportunity to share student’s interests in these
(and other) areas. I am an avid naturalist, hiker, bicyclist,
nature photographer and general outdoorsman. I look forward
to meeting you!
Selected Publications and Patents
Stemke, D.J. Purification of Coenzymes from Methanogens. In
Archaea: A Laboratory Manual, F.T. Robb, K.R. Sowers, S. Das
Sharma, A.R. Place, H.J. Schreier, E.M. Fleisschmann (eds.).
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1995.
Lyngberg, O.K., D. J. Stemke, J.L. Schottel and M.C.
Flickinger. "A Simple Single use Luciferase Based
Mercury Biosensor using Latex-Film Immobilized Escherichia
coli HB101.
Sathyamoorthy, M., D. Stemke, MK. Speedie. (1996) Native and
Heterologous Protein Secretion by Streptomyces lividans.
Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 46:347-352.
Stemke, D.J. (1993) Transcription Initiation Studies with
Bacillus subtilis Promoters Containing Curved DNA.
Dissertation, Louisiana State University.
Detection of Toxic Metals Using Latex Coatings Containing
Viable Microorganisms. O. K. Lyngberg, M.C. Flickinger, D.J.
Stemke, V. Thiagarajan, J.L. Schottel, L.E. Scriven. (1998).
NIH invention disclosure number 1450401-98-0006.
Jeffrey S. Coker, Assistant Professor of
Biology
B.S.-Davidson College, Biology; M.Ed.-North Carolina State
University, Science Education; Ph.D.-North Carolina State
University, Botany
Office: MCMI 224-C; Phone: 278-6206;
E-mail: jcoker@elon.edu
;
URL: http://www.elon.edu/facstaff/jcoker/
I joined the faculty at Elon University in 2004 and teach
Biology 101/102, The Global Experience, and Science Without
Borders. My research includes both educational and biological
projects.
The year after graduating from college, I decided to
"do something else for a year" before entering
medical school and took a job teaching high school biology,
chemistry, and calculus. During this year, I discovered my
passion for teaching, decided against medical school, and
opted for an academic life instead. In graduate school, I
became deeply involved in both biological and educational
research, and completed graduate degrees in both fields.
My publications have spanned a wide range of topics
including the ecology of eastern red cedars, gene expression
of V-ATPases in tomato plants, responses of plants to fire
damage, development of methods for analyzing DNA sequences,
and assessment of undergraduate research experiences. My
professional activities include being Chair of the Science
Education Committee of the N.C. Academy of Science and
Associate Editor for the Journal of Natural Resources and
Life Sciences Education.
My odd assortment of life experiences include working on a
hog farm, waiting tables at Shoney’s, working in an
operating room, playing college baseball, studying classical
art and architecture in Europe and Eurasia, publishing a
couple dozen poems, and sky diving. Life is too short not to
make it interesting. My wife Beth and I enjoy writing,
traveling, gardening, contemplating art, watching movies,
running, scuba diving, and playing with our cats. Beth
recently left her chemical engineering career to become an
8th grade science teacher at Western Middle School.
Selected Publications:
Coker, J.S. and Davies, E. 2004. Identifying adaptor
contamination when mining DNA sequence data. Biotechniques
37: 194-198.
Coker, J.S. and Van Dyke, C.G. 2004. Evaluation of teaching
and research experiences undertaken by botany majors at N.C.
State University. NACTA Journal. In press.
Coker, J.S. and Davies, E. 2003. Selection of
candidate housekeeping controls in tomato plants using EST
data. Biotechniques 35: 740-748.
Coker, J.S., Jones, D., and Davies, E. 2003. Identification,
conservation, and relative expression of V-ATPase cDNAs in
tomato plants. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 21:145-158.
Coker, J.S. and Davies, E. 2002. Involvement of plant
biologists in undergraduate and high school student research.
Journal of Natural Resources and Life Science Education 31:
44-47.
Yuko J. Miyamoto, Assistant Professor of
Biology
B.S. - University of California at Santa Barbara,
Pharmacology; Ph.D. - University of Texas at Houston Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences, Immunology.
Office: MCMI 124D; Phone 278-6201;
E-mail: ymiyamoto@elon.edu
I joined the Biology department after my postdoctoral
fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in the fall of 2005. Although the majority of my training has
been in research, I love teaching and interacting with
students. The courses that I will be teaching include biology
for nonmajors (BIO101), introductory cell biology
(BIO111/113), and sophomore seminar (BIO261).
My interest in science began after taking a pharmacology
laboratory course at UC Santa Barbara. I was very excited by
answering questions using methods and techniques I learned in
the pharmacology lab. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara,
I worked at pharmaceutical companies, went to graduate school
in Houston, Texas, to investigate how T lymphocytes are
activated by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and then moved
to Chapel Hill, N.C., to conduct research on how cells move
and communicate. I utilized chemical nucleotides called small
interfering RNAs (siRNA) to decrease selected proteins
important for cell motility. After introducing the specific
siRNA into cells, I analyzed how decreased protein expression
of the targeted cytoskeletal proteins had on cell shape and
on the MAPK signaling pathway that is important for cell
proliferation. I hope to develop research projects that Elon
students can be involved in and become excited about.
In addition to teaching senior adults, undergraduates, and
graduate students, I enjoy interacting with elementary school
children. I have been involved with various outreach programs
to introduce science to elementary school kids since graduate
school. During my time at UNC, I helped establish a community
outreach program, "Science for Kids," with the UNC
Postdoctoral Association. The "Science for Kids"
program helps to introduce or teach science to elementary
school children in a 'hands-on' and fun environment.
I hope to continue to reach out to a wide range of
students.
I live in Pittsboro with my husband, Drew, who is studying
protein dynamics using NMR. We love being at the beach,
traveling, watching independent films, listening to music,
and playing golf. My favorite pastimes are people-watching
and seeking out great restaurants and good food! I hope to
someday learn how to speak Spanish and travel around South
America.
David B. Vandermast, Assistant Professor of
Biology.
B.B.A. Ohio University, Finance; B.S. Clemson University,
Forest Resources; M.S. Clemson University, Forestry; Ph.D.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Biology.
Office: 124-C MCMI; Phone: 278-6171;
E-mail: dvandermast@elon.edu
I began teaching at Elon in 2004 while completing my Ph.D.
in Biology at UNC Chapel Hill. I have taught ENS 111, ENS
113, BIO 101, BIO 112, BIO 114 and BIO 215 and 215L. Elon has
been my first full-time teaching responsibility but while at
UNC I taught Biology labs and Supplemental Instruction,
winning two student-nominated teaching awards.
After spending eight years in banking, I left to pursue an
education in natural resources and ecology when I realized
that I was spending too much time looking out the window
wishing I was anywhere but in my office. I obtained a second
bachelor's degree in Forest Resources from Clemson
University, after which I stayed at Clemson to earn an M.S.
researching the ecological role of American chestnut in
southern Appalachian riparian forests. At UNC I continued to
focus on montaine forests by examining long-term successional
patterns in the high-elevation forests of Great Smoky
Mountains National Park. Thus, having spent the past eight
summers tramping up mountain slopes, getting rained on, and
yelling at bears, I don't regret leaving banking for one
moment! Professional organizations of which I am a member
include Sigma Xi, the Ecological Society of America, Natural
Areas Association, Southern Appalachian Botanical Society,
and the Association of Southeastern Biologists.
I live in Chapel Hill with my wife Melanie (a Montessori
teacher), and two children: a 9 year-old son and an
11-going-on-15 year-old daughter. We have two permanent pets
- a dog and cat - but often temporarily host fish, turtles,
snakes, lizards, and other animals we catch in our yard. We
enjoy hiking, camping, tubing, river rafting, and
geocaching.
Selected publications:
Vandermast, D.B. 2004. Seeing the forest for the trees.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Resource Management
Newsletter 232, September 21, 2004.
Cleland E.E., M.D. Smith, S.J. Andelman, C. Bowles, K.
Carney, M.C. Horner-Devine, J. Drake, S. Emery, J. Gramling,
D.B. Vandermast. 2004. Invasion in space and time: nonnative
species richness and relative abundance respond to
interannual variation in productivity and diversity. Ecology
Letters 7:947-957.
Vandermast, D.B., C.E. Moorman, K.R. Russell, D.H. Van Lear.
2004. Initial vegetative response to prescribed fire in some
oak-hickory forests of the South Carolina Piedmont. Natural
Areas Journal 24(3):216-222.
Van Lear, D.H.; Vandermast, D.B.; Rivers, C.T.; Baker, T.T.;
Hedman, C.W.; Clinton, D.B.; Waldrop, T.A. 2002. American
Chestnut, Rhododendron, and the Future Of Appalachian Cove
Forests Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-48. Asheville, NC: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research
Station. Pp. 214-220.
Vandermast, D.B., D.H. Van Lear, and B.D. Clinton. 2002.
American chestnut as an allelopath in the southern
Appalachians. Forest Ecology and Management 165 (1-3):
173-181.
Vandermast, D.B. and D.H. Van Lear. 2002. Riparian
vegetation in the Southern Appalachian Mountains (USA)
following chestnut blight. Forest Ecology and Management
155(1): 97-106.
Vandermast, D.B., Van Lear, D. H. 1999. Vegetative
composition of riparian forest once dominated by American
chestnut. General Technical Report SRS-30. Asheville, N.C.:
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research
Station, 1999.
Parke, R. and D.B. Vandermast. 1999. American chestnut: The
continuing story. Wild Earth 9(2): 23-27.
Vandermast, D.B. 1999. Antipredator behavior of Elaphe
obsoleta. Herpetological Review 30(3): 169.
William A. Mackin, Assistant Professor
A.B. Harvard University 1997, Concentration in Biology, Cum
Laude Ph.D. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
2004
Office: McMichael 124 G; Phone: 278-6120;
E-mail: wmackin@email.unc.edu
I knew from early childhood that I wanted to be a
naturalist. However, I struggled to find a research system to
match my interest in animals and the wild places where they
are found. By my senior year of college, I knew that I wanted
to be a field biologist and I wanted to study birds, but I
was still searching for a project.
In 1997, I entered the lab of R. Haven Wiley at UNC Chapel
Hill to work towards a master's degree in Biology. In
1999, I began long-term studies of the biology of two
declining seabirds, Audubon's Shearwater and the
White-tailed Tropicbird, that I plan to continue for several
decades. I address broad questions about the behavior,
ecology and conservation of these two species, and I have
been able to acquire funding for my work from academic and
conservation societies.
I have experience teaching lectures in Ecology, Animal
Behavior, Zoology and Introductory Biology and labs in almost
every course in organismal biology. My teaching style is
straightforward, challenging, yet flexible. At Elon, my
teaching responsibilities include Zoology, Topics in
Environmental Sciences (Winter Term 2006) and Biology 101. I
would love to discuss any of these topics or my other
interests (sustainability, conservation, fishing,
birdwatching, and football) with anyone, so call, e-mail, or
just stop by my office.
Dave Gammon, Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S. –Brigham Young University; Ph.D. –Colorado
State University
Office: MCMI 124D; Phone: 278-6188;
E-mail: dgammon@elon.edu
I grew up in Utah next to the mountains and used to lead the
other neighborhood kids on expeditions to explore the
wilderness. As I grew older, these expeditions increased in
their geographic extent and intensity; I chose biology as a
career so that I could continue to study the wonders of life.
I also enjoy thinking about the interface between science and
society, between science and religion, and applying ideas
from animal behavior to humans. Here at Elon I teach
nonmajors biology (Bio 101 and Bio 102), Science without
borders (Sci 121), Global studies (GST 110) and Animal
Behavior (Bio 374).
My research interests are primarily in bioacoustics (the
study of the sounds of animals) and animal behavior. Most of
my research takes an evolutionary focus and involves working
with birds in the field. I am interested in starting up
several similar projects with Elon undergraduates, so if you
are interested in chasing and recording animals, or
manipulating and playing back sounds to them, please contact
me. I have a lot of research ideas, but I am also open to
suggestions from motivated students.
When I am not teaching or doing science, I enjoy spending
time with my wife, exercising, reading, traveling, and
serving in my church.
Selected Publications:
Gammon, D.E. and B.A. Maurer. 2002. Evidence for
non-uniform dispersal in the biological invasions of two
naturalised North American bird species. Global Ecology and
Biogeography 11:155-161.
Logue, D.M. and D.E. Gammon. 2004. Duet song and sex roles
during territory defense in the black-bellied wren,
Thryothorus fasciatoventris. Animal Behaviour
68:721-731.
Gammon, D.E. 2004. Black-capped Chickadee Dawn Chorus and
Subsequent Sexual Activity. Wilson Bulletin
116:252-256.
Logue, D.M, D.E. Gammon and M.C. Baker. 2005. Minidisc
recorders versus audiocassette recorders: a performance
comparison. Bioacoustics 15:15-33.
Gammon, D.E. 2007. How post-dispersal social environment may
influence acoustic variation in birdsong. In K. Otter, ed.
Ecology and Behavior of Chickadees and Titmice: An Integrated
Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Antonio Izzo, Assistant Professor of Biology
B.A. –
University of Vermont, M.A. – University of Northern
Colorado, Ph.D.- University of California at Berkeley
Office: MCMI 124G; Phone 278-6025; E-mail:
aizzo@elon.edu
Perhaps because both of my parents were teachers,
teaching has always been an important part of my life. I
originally enrolled at University of Northern Colorado to get
trained for high school science teaching, however, after
teaching as a graduate instructor and supplemental instructor
for various biology courses I found the collegiate level to
be a better fit for my teaching style. At the University of
California I continued teaching as a graduate instructor,
however also began to work closely with undergraduate
students on research projects.
My research background has covered a number of different
topics. For my Master’s thesis I studied the
evolutionary relationships of a group of fungal-like protists
called the stramenopiles by DNA sequence analysis. For my
dissertation work, I studied various microbial ecology
questions related to spatiotemporal community dynamics,
mammal-mediated dispersal of truffle fungi, and disturbance
response of ectomycorrhizae in the Sierra Nevada. More
recently, at the USDA Tree Fruit Lab in Washington I studied
fungal community dynamics in the soil and rhizosphere and
trying to relate that to plant health. In between degrees I
worked in a biotech lab synthesizing DNA, and in a molecular
microbiology lab studying gene regulation in the bacterium
that causes Whooping Cough.
When not teaching or doing research, I’ve always tried
to keep up a diversity of interests including learning
folk-blues guitar, being a DJ during my undergraduate years,
gardening, or playing on club ultimate frisbee teams. My wife
is a physical therapist and these days we spend most of our
free time playing sports or reading books with our two boys
(4 and 6 years old).
Selected Publications:
Izzo, A.D., Nguyen, D.T., and T.D. Bruns. 2006.
Spatial structure and richness of the
resistant propagule community of ectomycorrhizal fungi
colonizating hosts with
differing seedling establishment patterns. Mycologia 98(3)
Izzo, A.D., Canright, M. and T.D. Bruns. 2006. The effects
of heat treatments on
ectomycorrhizal resistant propagules and their ability to
colonize bioassay
seedlings. Mycological Research 110(2):196-202
Izzo, A.D., Agbowo, J., and T.D. Bruns. 2005. Detection of
plot-level changes in
ectomycorrhizal communities across years in an old-growth
mixed-conifer forest.
New Phytologist 166:619-630
Izzo, A.D., Meyer, M., North, M., Trappe, J.M., and T.D.
Bruns. 2005. Ectomycorrhizal
hypogeous fungi on roots and in the small mammal diet in a
mixed-conifer forest.
Forest Science 51(3):243-254
