Biology Faculty

Education
PhD Harvard University
BS University of Delaware

Research Interests
Dr. Simons' research focuses on tumor suppressor proteins that help to repair damaged DNA in cells.

Courses Taught
BIOL 101 Biological Concepts
BIOL 114 A Human Perspective on Genetics
BIOL 142 Introduction to Human Physiology
BIOL 208 Genetics
BIOL 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology II laboratory
BIOL 260 Cell Biology
BIOL 262 Molecular Biology
BIOL 356 Biology of Cancer
BIOL 400 Trends in Biotechnology
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology
RAMS 101BI 1st-Year Seminar: Genetics of Sex and Gender

Dr. Avard has been awarded a Mary Miles Bibb Teaching Fellowship for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years. The Bibb Fellowship is named after Mary Miles Bibb, FSU Class of 1843, the University’s first African-American graduate and the first African-American teacher’s college graduate in the United States. Bibb Fellows are selected for their sustained and passionate commitment to diversity and inclusion In teaching, scholarship, and/or service.

Education
PhD, MPhil, MA Chemistry, Columbia University
BA Chemistry, Assumption College

Research Interests
Dr. Avard specializes in biophysical chemistry, the study of the physical properties of biological molecules at the chemical level.

Courses Taught
BIOL 262 Molecular Biology
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology
CHEM 208 Organic Chemistry II laboratory

Education
PhD University of Southern California
BA University of California, Berkeley

Research Interests
Dr. Beckwitt's research interests include biochemistry and molecular evolution.  His current research is on the population genetics and molecular evolution of the hippopotamus.

Courses Taught
BIOL 101 Biological Concepts
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science
BIOL 112 Biology of Marine Organisms
BIOL 130 Principles of Biology
BIOL 161 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIOL 262 Molecular Biology laboratory
BIOL 341 Marine Biology
BIOL 402 Processes of Organic Evolution
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology
ENVS 101 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy

Education
PhD, MS University of Maryland, Baltimore
BS Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Research Interests
Dr. Davis's research focuses on the effects of hormones on brain development.

Courses Taught
BIOL 114 A Human Perspective on Genetics
BIOL 142 Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology
BIOL 235 Principles of Human Physiology
BIOL 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 325 Neurobiology
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology
NEUR 225 Biopsychology
RAMS 101BI 1st-Year Seminar: Cannabis and Society: Friends or Foes?

Education
PhD Miami University
MS Frostburg State University

Research Interests
Dr. Dinkelacker's research focuses on physiological ecology and conservation biology of reptiles.

Courses Taught
BIOL 101 Biological Concepts
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science
BIOL 142 Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 233 Comparative Vertebrate Physiology
BIOL 235 Principles of Human Physiology
BIOL 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 323 Biology and Conservation of Crocodiles
BIOL 344 Animal Physiological Ecology
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology
ENVS 333 Digital Field Methods: Drones, Data, & Artificial Inteligence

Education
MEd Higher Education, Purdue University Global
MD Tufts University School of Medicine
BS Biology, University of California, Berkeley

Professional Background
Practiced primary care medicine for 15 years before becoming an adjunct professor.

Courses Taught
BIOL 142 Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 235 Principles of Human Physiology
BIOL 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology II

Education
PhD, MS University of Massachusetts
MEd, BA American International College

Research Interests
Dr. Kolnicki's research focuses on the evolution and biogeography of lemurs and bats.

Courses Taught
BIOL 101 Biological Concepts
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science
BIOL 142 Introduction to Human Biology

Education
PhD Boston University
AB Vassar College

Research Interests
Dr. Kozol's particular interests are in insect ecology and conservation biology.

Courses Taught
BIOL 101 Biological Concepts
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science laboratory
BIOL 130 Principles of Biology
BIOL 142 Introduction to Human Biology laboratory
BIOL 160 Introduction to Organismal Biology laboratory
BIOL 248 Principles of Ecology laboratory
BIOL 291 Principles of Tropical Ecology and Conservation: Field Study

Education
PhD, MS University of New Hampshire
BS University of Rhode Island

Research Interests
Dr. Lambert's research focuses on the biology and impact of invasive species in marine communities.

Courses Taught
BIOL 101 Biological Concepts
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science laboratory
BIOL 112 Biology of Marine Organisms
BIOL 130 Principles of Biology
BIOL 160 Introduction to Organismal Biology
BIOL 232 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 305 Cetacean Biology and Conservation
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology

Education
PhD University of California, Los Angeles
AB Dartmouth College

Research Interests
Dr. Liebert's research focuses on the behavior, ecology, and genetics of social insects. Dr. Liebert also teaches the Professional Preparation course for students training to be middle and high school science teachers, and supervises student teachers in the sciences.

Courses Taught
BIOL 101 Biological Concepts
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science
BIOL 130 Principles of Biology laboratory
BIOL 125 The Biology Experience
BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology
BIOL 248 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology

Education
PhD Molecular and Cell Biology, Brandeis University
BS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst

Research Interests
Dr. Pina studies bacterial physiology and responses to stress, focusing on E. coli and S. oneidensis.

Courses Taught
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science
BIOL 135 Foundations of Biological Science
BIOL 161 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIOL 228 Microbiology
BIOL 381 Theories of Infectious Disease
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology

Education
PhD Indiana University
BS SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Research Interests
Dr. Van Roo investigates breeding behaviors and breeding hormones in songbirds.

Dr. Van Roo's research page

Courses Taught
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science laboratory
BIOL 160 Introduction to Organismal Biology
BIOL 212 Wildlife Specimen Preparation Techniques
BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology
BIOL 233 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 236 Ornithology
BIOL 248 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 320 Animal Behavior
BIOL 335 Principles of Wildlife Biology
BIOL 393 Wildlife Management and Conservation Topics
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology

Education
PhD (2015) Michigan State University, East Lansing MI
MS (2011) Michigan State University, East Lansing MI
BS (2008) St. Michael's College, Colchester VT

Research Interests
Dr. White studies limnology, freshwater ecology, harmful phytoplankton, and ecological consequences of biological trait variation in species.

Courses Taught
BIOL 109 Introduction to Biological Science
BIOL 135 Foundations of Biological Science
BIOL 160 Introduction to Organismal Biology
BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology
BIOL 321 Limnology
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology
ENVS 452 Senior Thesis in Environmental Science and Policy II

Dr. Wu has been awarded a Mary Miles Bibb Teaching Fellowship for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years. The Bibb Fellowship is named after Mary Miles Bibb, FSU Class of 1843, the University’s first African-American graduate and the first African-American teacher’s college graduate in the United States. Bibb Fellows are selected for their sustained and passionate commitment to diversity and inclusion In teaching, scholarship, and/or service.

Education
PhD (2018) Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
MS (2003) Botany, National Taiwan University
BS (1999) Botany, National Taiwan University

Research Interests
Dr. Wu's research interests include plant development and evolution, genomics, and bioinformatics.

Courses Taught
BIOL 135 Foundations of Biological Science laboratory
BIOL 203 Plants and Society
BIOL 218 Introduction to Bioinformatics
BIOL 251 Vascular Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology

Education
PhD Botany, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India
MSc, MEd Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Research Interests
Dr. Yadav's research has focused on the use of plant hormones and nutrients to increase vegetative and reproductive growth in legumes.

Courses Taught
BIOL 130 Principles of Biology laboratory
BIOL 161 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIOL 255 Plant Physiology