Department of Biology Faculty

The Department of Biology has 17 full-time faculty members having primary duties directed at meeting the needs of the biology curriculum. The research interests of these faculty include but are not restricted to molecular, cellular, organismal, or population biology. The faculty share a strong commitment to our students and to providing them with the strongest undergraduate experience possible in the classroom and the laboratory.

Find individual faculty member contact information below. For general inquiries, please contact:

Melissa Barber, Department Secretary
300 Vincent Science Center
Phone: 724.738.2929
Fax: 724.738.4782
Email: melissa.barber@sru.edu

Simon Beeching

300L Vincent Science Center
Email: simon.beeching@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2479

After receiving a B.A. (Biology) from the University of Maine-Fort Kent in 1985, I earned a Ph.D. in Zoology (1991) from Indiana University. My research concerns the evolution, structure and behavior of animals, particularly fishes in the Family Cichlidae. Our laboratory also has ongoing investigations of vertebrate developmental anatomy and projects investigating the behavior and physiology of freshwater turbellaria (planaria). My teaching assignments have included a wide range of topics, including Human Anatomy and Physiology, Vertebrate Anatomy, Zoology, Embryology, Evolution and Marine Biology.

I am a native of central Connecticut, but have lived in northern and coastal Maine, southern Indiana, and the eastern shore of Virginia, as well as western Pennsylvania.

Representative publications:

Beeching, S. C., and Merritt, B. (2019). Dose-dependent disruptive effects of melatonin, light and temperature on regeneration in the planarian Phagocata gracilis. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, 1-18.

Rehorek, S. J., Wu, J. L., Smith, T. D., and Beeching, S. C. (2017). Embryogenesis of the uropygial glands in the Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis (Rothschild, 1893): Procellariiformes). The Anatomical Record 300(8): 1420-1428.

Beeching, S.C., Caroff, J. T., Case, S.L., Duda, S.H., Henry, B.E. and Pristov, K. E. (2015) Avoidance behavior in two sympatric planaria species: effects of conspecific and heterospecific chemical alarm cues. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 48 (6): 445-453.

Beeching, S. C., Glass, B. A and Rehorek, S. J. (2013) Histology of melanic flank and opercular color pattern elements in the Firemouth Cichlid, Thorichthys meeki. Journal of Morphology 274(7):743-749.

Beeching, S. C. and Pike, R. E. (2010) Ontogenetic color change in the Firemouth Cichlid, Thorichthys meeki Copeia 2010(2):189-195.

Beeching, S. C. Wack, C. and Ruffner, G. L. (2004) Female convict cichlids (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) prefer to consort with same-sized males. Ethology, Ecology & Evolution 16: 209-216.

Martin Buckley

Associate Professor of Biology
300U Vincent Science Center
Email: martin.buckley@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.4927

Education:

Ruth Kirschstein-NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cornell University

Ph.D. Genetics, Michigan State University

M.S. Molecular Genetics, Saint Louis University

B.A. Biology, Classics and Philosophy, Saint Louis University

Teaching interests:

I teach a variety of courses, including genetics and molecular biology. My courses not only convey important foundational information about biological processes, but also require a high level of assimilation of the information. My hope is this educational experience will equip students with critical thinking skills that will help them succeed in all their endeavors.

Research interests:

The DNA of an organism contains most of the information necessary for life. How this genetic information is decoded to produce the characteristics of life is a central process of biology. The general molecular basis for this process is that a DNA polynucleotide called a gene is transcribed into an RNA polynucleotide (i.e., transcription). In many cases, the RNA polynucleotide is translated into a protein. Proteins are functional molecules that produce most of the features of life. However, many questions remain as to how this flow of genetic information is controlled. My lab focuses on better understanding of how gene transcription is activated. To this end, we utilize biochemical, genetic and optical approaches to study the Drosophila melanogaster heat shock genes as a model system for transcription activation.

Recent publications:

Choi A., Mengqi W., Hrizo S., Buckley M. S. 2018. Visualizing Cellular Stress: A hypothesis driven confocal laboratory exercise to identify compounds that activate Heat Shock Factor binding at the Hsp70 loci. Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 46(5):p. 445-452.

Buckley M. S. and Lis J. T. 2014. Imaging RNA Polymerase II transcription site in living cells. Current Opinions in Genetics and Development. 25(C):126-130.

Buckley M. S., Kwak H., and Lis J. T. 2014. Kinetics of promoter Pol II on Hsp70 reveal stable pausing and key insights into its regulation. Genes & Development. 28(1):14-19

Dean DeNicola

300M Vincent Science Center
Email: dean.denicola@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2484

I have been a faculty member at Slippery Rock University since 1992. I teach Ecology, Freshwater Biomonitoring, Wetlands and Aquatic Plants, Biometry, Environmental Biology, and General Biology. My area of research focusses on the ecology of freshwater benthic algal and macroinvertebrate communities. My interests range from theoretical aspects of succession in benthic algal communities to more applied aspects involving bioassessment of streams and lakes. A long-term project examining biological recovery in the Slippery Rock Creek watershed associated with treatment for acid mine drainage has involved over 25 students.

Education:

BA in Zoology, University of Vermont; MS in Botany, University of Maine at Orno; PhD in Botany, Oregon State University

Recent Publications:

DeNicola, D. M., J. N. McNair, and J. Suh. 2021. A stochastic model of epilithic algal succession and patch dynamics in streams. Ecosphere 12(7):e03566. DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3566

Neff, A., D.M. DeNicola, and C. Maltman. 2021. Effects of passive treatment for acid mine drainage on microbial community structure in 3 types of stream habitats. Water 13:3300 https://doi.org/10.3390/w13223300.

DeNicola, D. M., M. G. Stapleton, and A. J. Onufrak. 2018. Examination of effects of acid and metals on benthic algae in streams using chemical diffusing substrata. Ecological Indicators 88:7-26.

DeNicola, D. M. and M. G. Stapleton. 2016. Using macroinvertebrates to assess ecological integrity of streams remediated for acid mine drainage. Restoration Ecology 24:656-667.

DeNicola, D. M. and A. J. Lellock. 2015. Nutrient limitation of algal periphyton in streams along an acid mine drainage gradient. Journal of Phycology 51:739-749.

DeNicola, D. M. and M. G. Kelly. 2014. Role of periphyton in ecological assessment of lakes. Freshwater Science 33:619-638.

DeNicola, D. M. and M. G. Stapleton. 2014. Benthic diatoms as indicators of long-term changes in a watershed receiving passive treatment for acid mine drainage. Hydrobiologia 732:29-48.

Please see http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dean_DeNicola2 for access to copies of my research publications.

Amber Eade

I have been teaching since 2010 and joined the faculty at Slippery Rock University in 2017. My teaching experience spans both undergraduate and graduate level courses and has included lecture, laboratory, distance education, and problem-based learning modalities. My primary area of expertise is in Neuroscience and my current teaching responsibilities revolve around courses in human Anatomy and Physiology.

My prior experience spans several fields including Neuroscience, Medical Education, Psychology, and Music. I believe this gives me a unique opportunity to connect with students pursuing a variety of careers in the biological sciences. This wide-reaching set of interests has also led to an assortment of research paths, including projects in developmental ethanol exposure, chemosensory plasticity, spinal cord injury, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. As I enjoy assisting students in developing projects that incorporate their own areas of interest, recent research has further expanded to incorporate new technology in the investigation of relationships between music and brain activity.

Education:

PhD in Neuroscience, SUNY Upstate Medical University

MS in Medical Education, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

MA in Forensic Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

BS in Experimental Psychology, Millikin University

BA in Music, Millikin University

Sample Publications:

Curcio, J., Grana, M, England, S. .... & Eade, A. M. (2017). Use of the Spencer Technique in collegiate baseball players: Assessing the impact on range of motion, velocity, and player perception. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 117(3), 166-175.

Eade, A. M., Youngentob, L. M. and Youngentob, S. L. (2016). The interaction of ethanol ingestion and social interaction with an intoxicated peer on the odor-mediated response to the drug in adolescent rats. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40(4), 734-42.

Siebert, J. R., Eade, A. M., & Osterhaut, D. J. (2015). Biomaterial approaches to enhancing neurorestoration after spinal cord injury: Strategies for overcoming inherent biological obstacles. Biomedical Research International, 2015, 1-20, doi:10.1155/2015/752572.

Eade, A. M., and Youngentob, S. L. (2010). The interaction of gestational and postnatal ethanol experience on the adolescent and adult odor-mediated responses to ethanol in observer and demonstrator rats. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 34, 1705-1713.

Eade, A. M., Sheehe, P. R., and Youngentob, S. L. (2010). Ontogeny of the enhanced fetal-ethanol-induced behavioral and neurophysiologic olfactory response to ethanol odor. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 34, 206-213.

300S Vincent Science Center
Email: amber.eade@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2172

Miranda Falso

300R Vincent Science Center
Email: miranda.falso@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.4843

I earned a B.S. in Biology from Allegheny College and then a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh. For my dissertation research, I investigated the roles of the estrogen receptors and nuclear matrix in breast cancer development and resistance to the therapeutic agent, tamoxifen. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA where I used the technique of Accelerator Mass Spectroscopy to investigate several different biological questions such as the activity of cancer stem cells and the transport of low concentrations of endocrine disrupting compounds across the placental barrier. My current research interests lie in cancer biology and endocrine disruption. I have worked with many undergraduate students in research and look forward to working with more SRU students.

I have been an instructor at Slippery Rock University since the fall semester of 2014 and then became an Assistant Professor in the fall semester of 2018. I currently teach courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Sample Publications:

Enright HA, Falso MJS, Malfatti MA, Lao V, Kuhn EA, Hum N, Sales AP, Haack KW, Kulp KS, Buchholz BA, Loots GG, Bench G, Turteltaub KW. Maternal exposure to an environmentally relevant dose of triclocarban results in perinatal exposure and potential alterations in offspring development in the mouse model. PLoS One 2017 12: e0181996.

Falso MJS, Buchholz BA, deVere White R. Characterization of the populations isolated using the Aldefluor assay in three bladder cancer cell lines with differential sensitivity to Cisplatin. Anticancer Research 2012 32: 733-738.

Sarachine MJ, Janjic JM, Wipf P, Day BW. Biphenyl c-cyclopropylalkylamides as new scaffolds for targeting estrogen receptor beta. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters 2009 19: 2404-2408.

Paul Falso

300G Vincent Science Center
Email: paul.falso@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.4954

My research in animal physiology concerns the effects of environmental change, notably degradation of aquatic ecosystems, on wildlife health. Current studies in our laboratory address the effects of chemical contaminants (water pollution) on endocrine and immune processes in amphibians. Amphibians are currently experiencing dramatic global population declines and more information is desperately needed to slow and halt this trend. In addition, similarities between the physiology of amphibians and other vertebrates make them excellent models for the effects of environmental change on animal health, including our own. My studies actively involve students with a broad spectrum of animal health interests.

Education:

BS in Biochemistry, Allegheny College; PhD in Molecular Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley

Recent Publications:

Falso, P. G., C. A. Noble, J. M. Diaz, and T. B. Hayes. 2015. The effect of long-term corticosterone treatment on blood cell differentials and function in laboratory and wild-caught amphibian models. General and Comparative Endocrinology 212:73-83.

Hayes, T. B., P. G. Falso, S. Gallipeau, and M. J. Stice. 2010. The cause of global amphibian declines: a developmental endocrinologist's perspective. Journal of Experimental Biology 213:921-933.

Wayne Forbes

300F Vincent Science Center
Email: wayne.forbes@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.4953

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and botany at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica, W.I. I also pursued my Master of Science degree in zoology, which was upgraded to a Ph.D. in zoology at UWI. The title of my Ph.D. thesis was ‘Laboratory Studies of the Activity of Extracts of Selected Jamaican Plants against Infective Larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (Nematoda)’. I completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship (2000-2003) in the Schad research laboratory, Department of Pathobiology, Parasitology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. There, I used laser microbeam techniques to investigate functions of amphidial neurons in parasitic nematodes, including Strongyloides stercoralis, Haemonchus contortus and Ancylostoma caninum. My current research interest lies in the area of parasitology where I pursue chemotherapy studies using eryngial, a bioactive compound that I had previously identified and chemically isolated from the plant Eryngium foetidum. Eryngial is being investigated for activity against parasitic nematodes and other organisms. Additionally, I am also interested in the bioactivity of eryngial-related compounds against parasitic organisms.

I started teaching as an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology, SRU in August 2003, and became an Associate Professor in August 2014. I also served as Chairperson of the Department of Biology, SRU, from June 2015 to May 2017. I was the APSCUF Department Representative from 2004 to 2015, and the Coordinator of the Medical Technology, Cytotechnology and Histotechnology series from May 2015 to September 2015. These positions were both relinquished to colleagues in the department when I became the Chairperson.

As instructor in the Department of Biology, I have taught the following majors courses: Principles of Biology, Medical Parasitology, Biology Seminar and Independent Study. I have also taught the following non-majors biology courses: Introductory Biology Laboratory and General Biology. Additionally, I have taught courses offered outside of the department, these being the FYRST Seminar and the newly developed Science of Life.

Over the years I have had several students doing parasite research investigations with me on a variety of topics via independent studies. Most recently, I had two students who investigated the activity of eryngial against Neospora caninum, a protozoan parasite that is major cause of abortion in cattle, and accounts for annual losses to the meat and dairy industries that are worth billions of dollars.

Peer-reviewed publications and patents obtained are shown below:

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Forbes, W.M., Gallimore, W.A., Mansingh, Reese, P.B. and Robinson, R.D. (2014). Eryngial (trans-2-dodecenal), a bioactive compound from Eryngium foetidum: its identification, chemical isolation, characterization and comparison with ivermectin in vitro. Parasitology, 141, 269-278.

Forbes, W.M., Ashton, F.T. Boston, R., Zhu, X. and Schad, G.A. (2004). Chemoattraction and chemorepulsion of Strongyloides stercoralis infective larvae on a sodium chloride gradient is mediated by amphidial neuron pairs ASE and ASH, respectively. Veterinary Parasitology, 120, issue 3, 189-198.

Nolan, T.J., Brenes, M., Ashton, F.T., Zhu, X., Forbes, W.M., Boston, R. and Schad, G.A. (2004). The amphidial neuron pair ALD controls the temperature-sensitive choice of alternative developmental pathways in the parasitic nematode, Strongyloides stercoralis. Parasitology, 129, 1-7.

Forbes, W.M., Ashton, F.T., Boston, R. and Schad, G.A. (2003). Chemotactic behavior of Strongyloides stercoralis L3 on a sodium chloride gradient. Parasitology, 127,189-197.

PATENTS

Forbes, W.M. and Steglich, C. - International Patent (US): 8,865,774 B2 - Methods of treating infectious diseases. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - 2014.

Forbes, W.M. and Steglich, C. - International Patent (US): 11/ 839, 392 - Methods of treating infectious diseases. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - 2011.

Forbes, W.M., Robinson, R.D. and Reese, P.B. - International Patent (US): T3558-908397- Method of killing nematodes and treating infections caused by such worms and medicaments therefor. University of the West Indies and the Scientific Research Council of Jamaica - 2007.

Evan Guiney

Assistant Professor of Biology
300V Vincent Science Center
Email: evan.guiney@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2870

Education:

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cornell University

Ph.D., Stanford University

B.S., Amherst College, Biology

Teaching interests:

My teaching includes Biology II (Foundations of molecules, genes and cells), Genetics, Science of Life, and other courses.

Research Interests:

My scientific interests lie at the intersection of cell biology, genetics, and evolution. My primary research focus is currently aimed at understanding how cells manage the active accumulation of nutrients across their the plasma membrane. I use brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as well as its evolutionary distant cousin Schizosaccharomyces pombe as model systems, because of their well understood cell biology, genetic flexibility, and ease of use in an undergraduate research environment. My lab focuses on studying how individual membrane pumps can be activated or removed by regulated endocytosis. We use CRISPR-Cas9, confocal microscopy, molecular cloning, and high thruput genetic screens to dissect the molecular details of how membrane pumps interact with their endocytic adaptors. Not only are the molecular details of these systems intrinsically interesting, but by using diverse model systems to study these deeply conserved process, (which are universal to all eukaryotic cells including humans) my lab’s long term goal is to be able to infer universal design principles, with potential widespread applicability for both basic biology and human health.

I am also interested in using genetics to trace the evolutionary trajectories of populations, on both the local and deep-time scales. To that end I am developing genotyping methods to study the dispersal of moss in log-fall microhabitats as a new model system to study ecological succession and colonization.

Stacy Hrizo (Chairperson)

300J Vincent Science Center
Email: stacy.hrizo@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.4561

I have been a faculty member at Slippery Rock University since the fall of 2009. I teach courses for biology majors in Cell Biology, Medical Immunology and Principles of Biology. I also serve as the coordinator for the medical technology, histotechnology and cytotechnology 3+1 degree tracks. My research focuses on sugar metabolism and neurodegeneration (brain cell death). I utilize yeast and fruit fly models to look at how altered metabolism can affect cellular health. I frequently have 4 or more students working in my laboratory on research projects and they often present their research at state and national meetings sponsored by the Genetics Society of America and the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In addition, a number of students are co-authors on peer reviewed publication of their research here at SRU in my laboratory. Prior to joining the faculty at SRU I had a postdoctoral research position in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (Program in Neurodegenerative Diseases) at the University of Pittsburgh.

Education:

BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology, West Chester University; PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh

Recent Representative Publications:

Roland, B.P., Richards, K.R., Hrizo, S.L., Eicher, S., Barile, Z.J., Chang, T.C., Savon, G., Bianchi, P., Fermo, E., Ricerca, B.M. and Tortorolo, L., 2019. Missense variant in TPI1 (Arg189Gln) causes neurologic deficits through structural changes in the triosephosphate isomerase catalytic site and reduced enzyme levels in vivo. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Basis of Disease, 1865(9): 2257-2266.

Choi, Annette, Mengqi Wang, Stacy Hrizo, and Martin S. Buckley. (2018) Visualizing Cellular Stress: A Hypothesis-Driven Confocal Laboratory Exercise to Identify Compounds that Activate Heat Shock Factor Binding at Hsp70 loci. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 46(5): 445-452.

Hrizo, Stacy L., Andrew Zelasco, Rachel Hollingsworth, Alex Berner, Jacob Bible, and Natasha Hardina. (2017) A fly model of TPI Deficiency Does Not Exhibit Infection Susceptibility. Keystone Journal of Undergraduate Research. 4(1): 1-6.

Hrizo, Stacy L., Fisher, Issac J., Hutton, Joshua A., Long, Daniel R., Liu, Zhaohui, and Palladino, Michael J., (2013) Early mitochondrial dysfunction leads to altered redox chemistry underlying pathogenesis of TPI deficiency, Neurobiology of Disease. 54: 289-96.

Hrizo, Stacy L., Palladino, Michael J., (2010) Hsp70 and Hsp90 mediated proteasomal degradation underlies TPIsugarkill pathogenesis in Drosophila, Neurobiology of Disease. 40(3): 676-83

David Krayesky

300K Vincent Science Center
Email: david.krayesky@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2477

I am a Cryptogramic Botanist and my specialization is in the taxonomy of bryophytes and seaweeds. I teach both introductory Biology courses and upper level Botany courses for SRU. I am the curator of the Slippery Rock Herbarium (SLRO). I work as a plant specialist for the Bryophyte and Lichen Technical Committee which is part of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PABS). Before pursuing my interests in Botany I worked as a Utility Forester over a several year period. Currently, I have an appointed position on a local community organization, namely Slippery Rock Development (SRD), as their Urban Forester. Since 2015 I have been leading the Street Tree Management Plan for SRD.

Education: BS in Environmental Science, Johnson State College (Vermont); MS in Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; PhD in Environmental Biology and Evolution, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Course Assignments: Biology 100: Introductory Biology Laboratory, Biology 101: General Biology, Biology 104: Principles of Biology, Biology 120: Practical Botany, Biology 201: General Botany, Biology 310: Plant Systematics, Biology 315: Medical Mycology, Biology 360: Field Botany, Biology 465: Plant Anatomy, Biology 492: Seminar, Interdisciplinary 101: FYRST

Recent Publications:

2020[2018]. Krayesky, D.M., Leonardi, L., and Chmielewski, J.G. Radulaceae (Dumortier) Müller Frib.. In: Flora of North America, Editorial Committee, eds. New York and Oxford. Vol. 29, pp: xx- xx. (Provisional Publication of the Missouri Botanical Garden) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V3/Radulaceae.htm

2020[2016]. Krayesky, D.M., Leonardi, L., and Chmielewski, J.G. Odontoschisma (Dumortier) Dumortier. In: Flora of North America, Editorial Committee, eds. New York and Oxford. Vol. 29, pp: xx- xx. (Provisional Publication of the Missouri Botanical Garden) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V3/CephaloziaceaeOdontoschisma.htm

2020[2016]. Krayesky, D.M. and Chmielewski, J.G. Pleurocladula Grolle. In: Flora of North America, Editorial Committee, eds. New York and Oxford. Vol. 29, pp: xx- xx. (Provisional Publication of the Missouri Botanical Garden) http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/V3/CephaloziaceaePleurocladula.htm

Krayesky, D.M. and Chmielewski, J.G. 2016. Additions to the Sphagna of northwestern Pennsylvania: noteworthy collections. Evansia 33 (3): 101-105.

Krayesky, D.M. and Chmielewski, J.G. 2014. Arundinaria gigantea: New to Pennsylvania. Rhodora 166 (966): 228-231.

Krayesky, D.M., West, J.A., Kamiya, G., Viguerie, M., Norris, J.N., Wysor, B., and Fredericq, S. 2012. Two new species of Caloglossa (Delesseriaceae, Ceramiales) from the Americas, Caloglossa fluviatilis and Caloglossa confusa spp. nov. Phycologia 51: 513-530.

Please see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Krayesky for information about other publications or access to copies of articles.

Christopher Maltman

300P Vincent Science Center
Email: christopher.maltman@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.4963

I am a new faculty member at Slippery Rock University, having come down here from Canada in 2018. I teach Principles of Biology, General Biology, Science of Life, Medical Microbiology, and Microbiology. My research focuses on the use of bacteria for bioremediation of sites contaminated with heavy metals and metalloids (namely tellurium and selenium) as well as the microbial communities inhabiting highly polluted environments. Besides my academic career, I also worked in the Biotech industry for nearly 5 years.

Education:

BSc in Chemistry, University of Manitoba; BSc Honours in Biotechnology, University of Manitoba; PhD in Microbiology, University of Manitoba

Recent Publications:

Maltman, C. and Yurkov V. (2019) Extreme environments and high-level bacterial tellurite resistance. Microorganisms. 7(601);doi:10.3390/microorganisms7120601.

Maltman, C. and Yurkov, V. (2018) Bioremediation potential of bacteria able to reduce high levels of selenium and tellurium oxyanions. Archives of Microbiology. 200(10):1411-1417.

Maltman, C., Donald, L., and Yurkov, V. (2017) Tellurite and tellurate reduction by the aerobic anoxygenic phototroph Erythromonas ursincola, strain KR99 is carried out by novel membrane associated enzyme. Microorganisms. 5(20):doi:10.3390/microorganisms5020020.

Maltman, C., Donald, L., and Yurkov, V. (2017) Two distinct periplasmic enzymes are responsible for tellurite/tellurate and selenite reduction by strain ER-Te-48 isolated from a deep sea hydrothermal vent tube worm. Archives of Microbiology. doi:101007/s00203-017-1382-1.

Maltman, C., Walter, G., and Yurkov, V. (2016) A diverse community of metal(loid) oxide respiring bacteria is associated with tube worms in the vicinity of the Juan de Fuca Ridge black smoker field. PLoS One. 2016, 11(2):e0149812.

Maltman, C., Piercey-Normore, M., and Yurkov, V. (2015) Tellurite-, tellurate-, and selenite-based anaerobic respiration by DM-3 isolated from gold mine tailings. Extremophiles. 19(5), 1013-1019.

Maltman, C. and Yurkov, V. (2015) The effect of tellurite on highly resistant freshwater aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs and their strategies for reduction. Microorganisms. 3(4):826-838.

Jennifer Piechowski

Assistant Professor of Biology
Vincent Science Center
Email: jennifer.piechowski@sru.edu
Phone:

Education:

Ph.D. in Integrated Bioscience, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio

M.S. in Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

B.S. in Biology, Baldwin-Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University), Berea, Ohio

Teaching Interests:

My teaching interests lie in the fields of physiology, anatomy, and related subjects.

Research Interests:

I am a broadly trained biologist who has experience working with both plants and various animal models. Over the years, I have developed a strong interest in cardiovascular physiology and development as well as the effects of electronic cigarette vapor on the cardiovascular system. The relative novelty of these products and their immense popularity warrants further investigation to better understand their impact on health and development. Previously, I have studied the effects of flavored electronic cigarette vapor with, and without, nicotine (as well as individual chemical compounds identified in the vapor) on the developing cardiovascular system using zebrafish embryos. Currently, I am planning to expand on these studies by utilizing the fruit fly model to examine the effects of electronic cigarette vapor exposure on the heart of both adult and larval fruit flies.

Publications:

Piechowski, J. M., & Bagatto, B. (2021). Cardiovascular function during early development is suppressed by cinnamon flavored, nicotine‐free, electronic cigarette vapor. Birth Defects Research, 113(16), 1215-1223.

Garner, A. M., Buo, C., Piechowski, J. M., Pamfilie, A. M., Stefanovic, S. R., Dhinojwala, A., & Niewiarowski, P. H. (2019). Digital hyperextension has no influence on the active self‐drying of gecko adhesive subdigital pads. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology, 333(2), 118-125.

Susan Rehorek

300N Vincent Science Center
Email: susan.rehorek@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2485

I earned all my degrees (B.Sc.: Histology/Zoology, B.Sc. Hons: Histology, Ph.D.: Anatomical Sciences) at the University of Adelaide, Australia – a place where there is no snow! After which I completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Anatomy at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, where my primary duty was to teach cadaver-based human anatomy to medical and allied health graduate students, before coming to Slippery Rock University in 2000. Since coming to SRU I have developed a research program involving many undergraduate students, resulting in numerous publications, grants and presentations.

As a comparative anatomist (specializing in histology), I began my research career examining the comparative histology of orbital glands in squamate reptiles and their association with nasal sensory organs, specifically the Vomeronasal Organ. Since coming to the US, I have added in experimental data, comparative observations (alligators, mammals, amphibians and birds) and developmental research. As a result, my research focus has broadened to include the development and route of the nasolacrimal apparatus in tetrapod vertebrates.

Recent representative publications: Undergraduate students indicated with *.

Steglich C, Brown, M*, Mitchell, E*, Millen, M*, and Rehorek, SJ. 2019. Isolation and characterization of abundantly-expressed cDNA’s from the Harderian gland of the garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis: Colubridae). Accepted Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 235 (2019):22-28.

Rehorek, SJ., Wu, JL*, Smith, TD and Beeching, SC. 2017. Embryogenesis of the Uropygial Glands in the Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis (Rothschild, 1893): Procellariiformes. Anatomical Record. 300:1420-1428. DOI 10.1002/ar.23598

Rehorek, SJ., Cunningham, JM.*, Johnson, JL.*,Bruening, A.*, Bhatnager, K., Smith, TD. and Hillenius, WJ. 2015. Development of the Nasolacrimal Apparatus in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Journal of Morphology 276:1005-1024. DOI:10.1002/jmor.20393.

Rehorek, SJ., Holland, J.*, Johnson, J.*, Caprez, J.*, Cray, J., Mooney, MP., Hillenius, WJ., and Smith, TD. 2011. Development of the Lacrimal Apparatus in the Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and its potential role as a model for humans. Anatomy Research International, Vol. 2011, Article ID 623186, 13 pages.

Rehorek, SJ., Grand-Pierre, A.*, Cummings, JR.*, Jewell, B.*, Constantine, J.*, and Hillenius, WJ. 2013. A re-examination and re-evaluation of salamander orbital glands. The Anatomical Record 296:1789-1796. DOI:10.1002/ar.22782

I have numerous other interests in sensory biology, facial development and fetal development in general.

Recent representative publications: Undergraduate students indicated with *.

Rehorek, SJ, George JC, Suydam R, McBurney DM, Thewissen JGM. 2019. Role of desmosomes in the annual molting of the external acoustic meatus lining of the bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus). Anatomical Record 2-19: 1-9. DOI: 10.1002/ar.24338

Rehorek, SJ., Smith, TD. and Beeching, SC. 2016. Early Development and Differentiation of the Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis (Rothschild, 1893): Procellariiformes). Journal of Morphology 277:1231-1249. DOI:10>1002/jmor.20572

Rehorek, SJ., Duffy, M.*, Zacherl, J.*, Anand, K.*, Elsey, RM. and Smith, TD. 2014. An examination of the sensory structures in the palate of the American alligator. Journal of Morphology 275:1312-1320. DOI:10.1002/jmor.20306.

Harvey, BM., Bhanagar, KP., Schenck, RJ., Rosenberger, AL., Rehorek, SJ., Burrows, AM., DeLeon, VB., and Smith, TD. 2016. Membranous support for eyes of Strepsirrhine Primates and Fruit Bats. The Anatomical Record 299:1690-1703.

Here are some of the most recent student projects:

Jones, JT*, Smith, TD., and Rehorek, SJ. 2019. Identification of the Digits in Embryonic Laysoan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis). Journal of Scholarly Endeavor XVIII.

Jendza, LM.*, Smith, TD and Rehorek, SJ. 2018. Comparative study of mammalian orbital secretions of the Harderian gland. Journal of Scholarly Endeavor XVIII.

Maloy-Franklin M*, Rehorek, SJ, Beeching SC and Smith, TD. 2017. Development of the Nasolacrimal Apparatus in the Fetal Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus). Journal of Scholarly Endeavor XVII.

Poole, E*, Rehorek, SJ., Smith TD and Beeching, SC. 2017. The Association Between the Lateral Line System and the Nasolacrimal Apparatus in Salamanders. Journal of Scholarly Endeavor XVII.

Wu, J*, and Rehorek, SJ. 2016. Early development of the Uropygial Gland in the Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis). Journal of Scholarly Endeavor XVI.

Cory Shoemaker

300Q Vincent Science Center
Email: cory.shoemaker@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2482

I am a plant ecologist, specializing in wetland and aquatic plant communities. Wetlands are diverse ecosystems found worldwide and go by a variety of names such as marshes, swamps, fens and bogs. Regardless of name, all wetlands are dominated by flooding, which has strongly shaped the traits of plants living there. Aside from flooding wetlands, water also connects wetlands to the landscape by moving pollutants and other materials from the landscape into wetlands. This connectivity makes wetlands and wetland plant communities particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Here at SRU, my lab tries to better understand what limits plant distributions and abundances, particularly in aquatic systems that are highly impacted by humans. We develop questions and hypotheses based on theory and applied science and conduct observational and experimental research. Our work takes us from the edges of ponds and lakes to ditches in farm fields and cities to herbarium collections worldwide. Our research is strongly quantitative and interdisciplinary.

Please see my lab’s website for more information on our research interests and current projects!

https://shoemakerlab.weebly.com/

Education

B.S. Wittenberg University, Biology and French

M.S. Mississippi State University, Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Ph. D. Mississippi State University, Biological Sciences

Recent Publications

Shoemaker, C. M., Ervin, G. N. 2020. Factors at multiple scales influence recruitment from herbaceous wetland seed banks in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Wetlands https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-019-01248-6

Lee, P. O., Shoemaker, C. M., and Olson, J. B. 2019. Influence of changing edaphic conditions on the composition of wetland soil bacterial communities. Wetlands 39(1), 99-112.

Shoemaker, C. M. 2018. Environmental and landscape factors affecting the continued suppression of canebrakes (Arundinaria gigantea, Poaceae) within restorations of bottomland hardwood forests. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 145(2), 156-162.

Mark Shotwell

300D Vincent Science Center
Email: mark.shotwell@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2476

I have been a faculty member since the fall of 1992. My primary teaching responsibility has been Genetics (41 times and counting). I have also taught Principles of Biology, General Biology, and Introductory Biology many times, along with Social and Ethical Issues in Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Evolution. I have published research on the coiling of pea tendrils, the uptake of amino acids by mammalian cells, the cloning of genes from Chinese hamster ovary cells, and the analysis of the seed storage protein genes of oats and maize. My current interests outside the classroom are maize genetics, ethical issues in genetics, genetics education, and the history of genetics and the eugenics movement.

Education:

B.S. in Botany, Ohio University; Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, the University of Michigan.

Recent Publications:

Shotwell, M. A., and Ray, D. T. (2017) Genetics Lab Manual, 3^rd ed., Kendall Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, IA.

Shotwell, M. A. (2019) The Misuse of Genetics: The Dihybrid Cross & the Threat of "Race Crossing." The American Biology Teacher 81(1), 3-10.

Steven Strain

300F Vincent Science Center
Email: steven.strain@sru.edu
Phone: 724.738.2177

Biology

Department of Biology Faculty

Biology

Contact Information