Curriculum Vitae

Education

Institution Degree Year Granted
Eastern Michigan University B.S. (Biology) 1986
The University of Michigan B.S.F. (Forestry) 1986
Arizona State University Ph.D. (Zoology; Mathematical Biology) 1996

Dissertation Title: Evolutionarily attracting dispersal strategies in vertebrate metapopulations  
Dissertation Advisor: Andrew T. Smith

Honors

  • Art DeCabooter Professor of the Year, Scottsdale Community College, 2008.
  • Graduate College Outstanding Graduate, Arizona State University, 1996
  • Outstanding Teaching Associate, Arizona State University, Department of
  • Zoology, 1996
  • Summa Cum Laude, Eastern Michigan University
  • Phi Kappa Phi, Eastern Michigan University
  • Stoic Society, Eastern Michigan University
  • Student Athlete of the Year, Track, Eastern Michigan University, 1985
  • Phi Beta Kappa, The University of Michigan

Professional Organizations

Areas of Specialization

Research Program:

Teaching Specialization:

General Areas of Interest:

  • Mathematical and Computational Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Pathology
  • Life History Evolution
  • Biology Education

Academic Appointments

Employer Title Year
Scottsdale Community College  
Department of Life Sciences		 Professor of Biology 2003-Present
Scottsdale Community College  
Department of Life Sciences		 Chair 2007-2010
Arizona State University  
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences		 Adjunct Professor, Honors Faculty 2006-Present
Arizona State University  
School of Life Sciences		 Adjunct Professor 1999-2006
Scottsdale Community College  
Department of Life Sciences		 Professor of Biology, Provisional 1997-2003
Midwestern University  
Department of Biomedical Sciences		 Adjunct Professor 1999-2008

Fellowships and Grants

  • National Science Foundation, Department of Mathematical Sciences Infrastructure Program. Towards an integrative mechanistic theory of within-host disease dynamics. Dr. Yang Kuang, Program Director; Drs. James Elser, Timothy Newman, Val Smith and John Nagy, Co-Primary Investigators. $1.59 million. 2004-2007.
  • Center for Field Studies (Earthwatch). Metapopulation Dynamics of Pikas: Modeling Conservation Alternatives. Dr. Andrew Smith, Dr. John Nagy and Mr. John Frisch, Co-Primary Investigators. Approximately $20,000. 1997-1999.
  • Department of Zoology, Arizona State University. Travel Grant for Travel to Woudschoten, The Netherlands. $1,300. 1996.
  • Department of Mathematics, Arizona State University. Travel Grant for Travel to Houston, Texas. $500. 1995.
  • Arizona State University. Regent’s Graduate Academic Scholarship. $7,500. 1994-1995.
  • University of Toronto. E.E. Johnson Award. $6,900. 1989-1990.
  • University of Toronto. E.E. Johnson Award. $6,900. 1988-1989.
  • University of Toronto. Open Fellowship. $8,100. 1987-1988.

Publications

Papers presented, Conferences, Workshops

Teaching

Scottsdale Community College:

  • General Biology for Majors I (BIO 181), Fall 1999-present, lead instructor.
  • Introduction to Research in Biology (BIO 298), Spring 2006-present, founding lead instructor. 
  • Natural History of Arizona (BIO 109), Co-instructor (with Roy Barnes and Dr. John Weser), Spring 2006.
  • Natural History of Arizona Lab (BIO 110), Co-instructor, Spring 2006.
  • General Biology for Majors II (BIO 182), Spring 2000, 2002.
  • Human Biology for Allied Health Majors (BIO 156), Fall 1998-2004, developer and lead instructor.
  • Introductory Biology for Nonmajors (BIO 100), Fall 1997-1998, Co-lead instructor.
  • Environmental Biology (BIO 105), Spring 1999.
  • Honors Forum–Dimensions and Directions of Health: Choices in the Maze (HUM 190), Fall 2003, Spring 2004.

Arizona State University:

  • Introduction to Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences (SOS 101/AML 100). Fall 2015, Fall 2016.
  • Mathematical Models in Medicine (MAT 598), Co-instructor (with Yang Kuang). Spring 2007, 2009, Fall 2010, Spring 2012.
  • Organic Evolution (BIO 345). Summer 2012.
  • General Biology for Majors I (BIO 187). Summer 2003-2010.
  • General Biology for Majors II (BIO 188). Summer 2003, 2004.
  • Biometry (BIO 415). Spring 2001, Fall 2001.
  • Introductory Biology for Nonmajors (BIO 100) Co-lecturer (with Dr. Andrew Smith), Summer 1995-1997.
  • Introductory Biology for Nonmajors (BIO 100). Fall 1996.
  • Basic Physiology Laboratory (ZOL 360 – TA). Fall 1991 through Spring 1996.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I (ZOL 201 – TA) Instructor. Summer 1991, 1992.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II (ZOL 202 – TA) Instructor. Spring 1991.

Midwestern University:

  • Graduate Biostatistics (GEID 511), Spring 2003.
  • Cancer Biology Seminar (BS 300B), Spring 2000.
  • Epidemiology (MICR 465), Fall 2000.

Mesa Community College:

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 202), Summer 1997.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory, Summer 1997.

University of Toronto:

  • Silvics and Forest Ecology Laboratory (FOR 215) Instructor. Fall 1987, 1988, 1989.
  • Wildlife Biology Laboratory (FOR 301) Instructor. Fall 1987, 1988, 1989.

Reviewing Activities

Review Editor:

  • Frontiers in Oncology

Journal Manuscript Reviewer:

  • Acta Oecologia
  • BMC Cancer
  • Biology Direct
  • Bulletin of Mathematical Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • CBE Life Sciences Education
  • Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems
  • Ecology Letters
  • Frontiers in Molecular and Cellular Oncology
  • Journal of Biological Dynamics
  • Journal of Theoretical Biology
  • Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering
  • Mathematical and Computer Modeling
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology International
  • Physical Biology
  • PLoS Computational Biology
  • PLoS ONE

Reviewer: Mathematical Reviews (American Mathematical Society)

Books and Book Chapter Reviews:

  • Pearson, Benjamin Cummings

Reviewer for National Research Agencies:

  • Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France)
  • National Science Centre (Poland)
  • Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO)

Additional Research Experience and Activities

  • Founding Director, SCC Undergraduate Biology Research Program. Fall 2006 to present.
  • Organizer, SCC Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. (Held every semester.) Spring 2000 to present.
  • Director, Disease Modeling Group, Scottsdale Community College and Arizona State University. Investigating evolutionary dynamics in human cancer and malaria. Fall 1999 to present.
  • Director, Indian Bend Wash Urban Lakes System Project, Sonoran Sustainable Resources Institute and the City of Scottsdale. Assessment and analysis of water quality in the City of Scottsdale. Fall 1998 to Fall 1999.
  • Research Associate for Dr. Andrew Smith, Arizona State University. Causes and consequences of dispersal in a metapopulation of American pika (Ochotona princeps). Summer 1996 to Spring 1997.
  • Co-organizer of the Mathematical Biology Discussion Group, Arizona State University (with Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Kim Cooper and Professors of Mathematics Dr. Horst Thieme and Dr. Yang Kuang). Fall 1991-Fall 1995.
  • Research Assistant for Dr. James Bendell, University of Toronto. Dispersal and population regulation of Hudsonian spruce grouse (Dendragapus canadensis). 1987-1990.
  • Field Research Assistant for Dr. Dan Richter and Dr. John Witter, The University of Michigan. The effects of nitrogen deposition and soil quality on regeneration of red pine (Pinus resinosa) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Summer, 1986.

Additional Teaching Experience and Activities

Scottsdale Community College

  • Co-advisor (with Dr. Patricia Ashby), Scottsdale Community College Pre-medical Club. Fall 1998-2000.

Arizona State University

  • Instructor, General Biology for Majors I and II (BIO 187, 188). Summer 2003.
  • Instructor, Basic Physiology Laboratory (ZOL 360). Fall 1997.
  • Guest Lecturer, Basic Physiology (ZOL 360). Fall 1997. Cardiovascular Control.
  • Physiology Teaching Assistant Coordinator. Spring 1997. Instructed Teaching Assistants for all physiology laboratories (ZOL 201, 202 and 360).
  • Guest Lecturer, Seminar in Mathematical Biology (MAT 598) . Dr. Horst Thieme, Dr. Hal Smith and Dr. Yang Kuang, Instructors:
    • Semester Topic:
      • Fall 2011 Evolution of Dispersal in Great Basin Pikas 
      • Spring 1997 Genetic Introgression and the Evolution of the DNA Molecule. 
      • Spring 1996 Adaptive Dynamics of Dispersal Behavior in a Metapopulation of Pikas. 
      • Spring 1995 Discrete-time Processes in Metapopulation Dynamics. 
      • Spring 1994 Stability in Predator/Prey Metapopulation Systems. 
      • Spring 1993 Modeling Dispersal in Metapopulations. 
      • Spring 1992 Metapopulation Dynamics and Theory.
  • Guest Lecturer, Wildlife Conservation (ZOL 415). Fall 1994. Population Dynamics Modeling.
  • Guest Instructor, Wildlife Biology Laboratory (ZOL 410). Spring 1994. Population Dynamics Modeling.
  • Guest Instructor, Wildlife Biology Laboratory (ZOL 410). Spring 1993. Population Dynamics Modeling.
  • Instructor, Teaching Assistant Training Seminars. Organized by the Graduate College, Arizona State University: 
    • Semester Topic 
      • Spring 1996 Teaching Science Laboratories, General Teaching Tactics 
      • Fall 1995 Teaching Science Laboratories, General Teaching Tactics 
      • Spring 1995 Teaching Science Laboratories 
      • Fall 1994 Teaching Science Laboratories 
      • Spring 1994 Maintaining Student Motivation 
      • Fall 1993 Maintaining Student Motivation
  • Research Assistant, Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory (ZOL 201, 202) Reorganization Project. Fall 1996. Reorganized laboratories and laboratory exercises around computer-based data acquisition systems. Dr. Jon Harrison, Project Director.
  • Participant, Inquiry-based teaching methods workshop. Summer 1995. Developing inquiry-based teaching strategies for college biology curricula. Dr. Tony Lawson, Workshop Leader.

University of Toronto

  • Guest Lecturer, Silvics and Forest Ecology (FOR 215). Fall 1989. Population Dynamics.
  • Instructor, Field Ecology Station. Fall 1989. General Ecology Seminar for Beginning Forestry Majors.

Undergraduate Research Students Supervised

  • Nicholas Roberts (SCC and ASU) 
  • Elyse Conley (SCC and ASU) 
  • Ryan Maziarz (SCC and ASU) 
  • Lorida Llaci (SCC and ASU) 
  • Sabrina Jones (SCC; Presented at AZ/MN JAM 2014) 
  • Scott Bickel (SCC and ASU; Presented at SIAM 2012, SMB 2013, SIAM 2014, SIAM LS 2014) 
  • Joe Juliano (SCC and ASU; Presented at ICIAM 2011, AAAS 2011; ASU Honors Thesis, 2013) 
  • Easton White (SCC and ASU; Presented at ICIAM 2011, SMB 2013) 
  • Andrew Nemecek (SCC and ASU; Presented at AZ/NM JAM 2013, SMB 2013, JAM 2014) 
  • Perry Olliver (SCC and ASU; Presented at SMB 2013, ESA 2014) 
  • Kody Holmes (SCC and ASU; Presented at SMB 2013, ICMA IV 2013, ESA 2014) 
  • Kirsten Karr (SCC; Presented at SMB 2013) 
  • David Ung (SCC; Presented at SMB 2013) 
  • Chalet Taylor (SCC; Presented at SMB 2013) 
  • Debbie Groves (SCC and ASU; Presented at ICIAM 2011) 
  • Stephanie Munson (ASU; Presented at ICIAM 2011) 
  • Jacey Schnorr (SCC; Presented at ICIAM 2011) 
  • Daniel Stegman (SCC; Presented at SMB 2013) 
  • Naomi Pier (SCC and ASU; Presented at ESA 2014) 
  • Jennifer Bruening (SCC and ASU) 
  • Justin Cornell (ASU) 
  • Ryan Guthrie (SCC) 
  • Joshua Bucur (SCC) 
  • Mina Kangarloo (SCC) 
  • Danica Shillingberg (SCC) 
  • Amanda Smith (SCC) 
  • R.J. Austerman (ASU; Presented at ASU Undergraduate Research Symposium; ASU Honors Thesis) 
  • Ivana Malenca (ASU; Presented at ASU Undergraduate Research Symposium) 
  • Erin Victor (SCC; Published in ICB) 
  • Jenese Cropper (SCC; Published in ICB) 
  • Stephanie Sandor (SCC) 
  • Megan McCaughan (ASU) 
  • Tannaz Farahani (SCC and ASU; Presented at ASU Undergraduate Research Symposium) 
  • Ian Lindsay (SCC and ASU) 
  • Michael Crusoe (SCC and ASU) 
  • Tatiana Moyer (ASU; Presented at ASU Undergraduate Research Symposium) 
  • David Winkler (ASU; Honors Thesis) 
  • Dan Nelson (SCC and ASU; Honors Thesis) 
  • Brian Blaugrund (SCC and ASU; Honors Thesis) 
  • John Carlson (ASU) 
  • Caitlin Osborne (SCC) 
  • Ryan Lewis (SCC) 
  • Jason Pettison (SCC) 
  • Dina Zuber (SCC) 
  • Natalie Case (SCC)

Graduate Students Supervised

  • Jason Morken (Coadvised with Yang Kuang). PhD Student.
  • Robert Alvarez (Coadvised with Fabio Milner). PhD 2014. A two-strain spatiotemporal mathematical model of cancer with free boundary condition.
  • Jon Young (Coadvised with Dieter Armbruster). PhD 2013. Time-dependent models of signal transduction networks.
  • Irena Kareva (Coadvised with Carlos Castillo-Chavez). PhD 2011. Niche construction, sustainability and evolutionary ecology of cancer.

Graduate Students Advised

Arizona State University, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences:

  • Ilyssa Summer (PhD candidate) 
  • Bruce Pell (PhD candidate) 
  • Rebecca Everett (PhD 2014) 
  • Aaron Packer (PhD 2014) 
  • Joshua McDaniel 
  • Sarah Hews (PhD 2009) 
  • Steffen Eikenberry (MA 2008) 
  • Craig Thalhauser (PhD 2007) 
  • Hao Wang (PhD 2006)

Other Institutions:

  • Anne Seppänen (PhD 2014, University of Turku, Finland) 
  • Dirk van Zwieten (MA 2010, Technical University, Eindhoven, Netherlands) 
  • Emiel van de Rijt (MA 2008, Technical University, Eindhoven, Netherlands)