Faculty and Staff
The biology faculty have a diverse range of interests and expertise. Students can work with faculty in areas such as biomonitoring, genomics, animal behavior, neurobiology, plant biology, and paleontology to name a few. Our faculty have led study abroad trips to the Caribbean, Galapagos, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, and Costa Rica as well as course field trips to Alaska and the Great Smoky Mountains. Please visit faculty profile pages for more detail on areas of expertise.
Current Faculty
Nick Hirsch, Ph.D., (2008), Chair
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.A., University of Chicago
PhD., University of California, San Diego
Academic Interest: Embryonic Development; Neurobiology
Cara Constance, Ph.D. (2008)
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.A., Hiram College
Ph.D., University of Virginia
Academic Interest: Molecular Genetics; Molecular Basis of Biological Rhythms
Brad Goodner, Ph.D. (2001)
Professor of Biology
Edward J. Smerek Chair of Mathematics, the Sciences, and Technology
Director of the Center for Deciphering Life's Languages
B.S., Texas A&M University
M.S., Ph.D., Purdue University
Academic Interst: Microbiology; Molecular Genetics; Genomics and Bioinformatics
Prudy Hall, Ph.D. (1988)
Professor Emerita of Biology and Chemistry
B.A., Oberlin College
M.S., Ph.D., Michigan State University
Academic Interest: Plant Physiology; Molecular Biolog; Biochemistry
Matt Hils, Ph.D. (1984)
Professor of Biology
Director of the Center for the Study of Nature and Society
B.A., Thomas More College
M.S., Miami University
Ph.D., University of Florida
Academic Interest: Vascular Plant Anatomy; Systematics and Phylogeny
Tom Koehnle, Ph.D. (2007)
Assistant Professor of Biology
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
B.S., Ohio University
Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Academic Interest: Mammalian Sensory Signals; Behavior; Physiology
Sandy Madar, Ph.D. (1994)
Professor of Biology
Director, Strategic Academic Initiatives
B.S., University of Michigan
Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and Kent State University
Academic Interst: Mammalian Paleontology
Jody M. Modarelli, Ph.D. (2007)
Assistant Professor of Biology and Chemistry
B.S., Ph.D., University of Akron
Academic Interest: Lipids; Biochemistry; Diagnostic Tests for Disease States
Denny Taylor, Ph.D. (1979)
Professor of Biology
B.A., Hiram College
Ph.D., Cornell University
Adademic Interst: Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology; Vertebrte Field Studies; Wetlands
Instructional and Professional Staff
Laura Collins (2007)
Associate Director of the J.H. Barrow Field Station
B.A., Hiram College
Academic Interest: Native and Endangered Species Management and Conservation; Wildlife Rehabilitation; Avian Behavior
Valerie Gilbert, M.A., (2007)
Research Teaching Assistant in Biology and Psychology
B.A., M.S., Kent State University
Academic Interest: Behavioral Neuroscience; Primate Evolution and Behavior
Vicki Kohn
Administrative Assistant
Christina Marques, Ph.D., (2010)
Teaching Research Professional of Biology
B.S., Rutgers University
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Academic Interest: Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics
Willa Schrlau, M.S., (1999)
Teaching Research Associate in Biology
B.A., Hiram College
M.S., Ohio University
Academic Interest: General Biology; Ecology