Kutztown University Department of Biology
Faculty Research Interests and Activities
Dr. Angelika Antoni. Immunology and molecular biology, with interests in the genetic basis for human diseases, cell signaling, and the consequences of cellular apoptosis. Her main goal is to elucidate the genetic basis of autoimmune predisposition for diseases such as lupus and type I diabetes.
Dr. Marilyn C. Baguinon. Interests are in understanding gene function using molecular biology techniques. Examples of genes/proteins she has worked on are those involved in nitrogen fixation, in bacterial endotoxin detoxification, and blood clot formation. Recently, she has been involved in research studying the function of certain genes involved in red flour beetle development.
Dr. William Brown. Interested in the ecology of birds, insects, and other critters. This includes the study of community composition, life history strategies, and invasive species. Field and computer projects are available for interested students.
Dr. Nancy M. Butler. Freshwater and marine ecology, including plankton feeding strategies, mating behavior, physiology, and community structure.
Dr. Angela Hoptak-Solga. Cell and molecular genetics with an emphasis on the mechanisms responsible for the control of bone growth in zebrafish caudal fins. In particular, I study how mutations in connexin43 (cx43) lead to the production of short fins. I am interested in analyzing bone and joint structure using electron microscopy.
Dr. Carol C. Mapes. Plant physiology, plant growth and development, and cecidology. Research focuses on studies involving plant galls caused by insects and mites.
Dr. Cristen Rosch. Plant molecular and cell biology, developmental biology with interests including gene expression, gene regulation, and the use of fluorescent microscopy to study the cellular cytoskeleton.
Dr. Allison Roy. Conservation biology and aquatic ecology. Research focuses on effects of land use on stream macroinvertebrates and fish. Other interests include: restoration ecology, ecohydrology, freshwater supply/scarcity, and impacts of human behavior on the environment.
Dr. Wendy L. Ryan. Diverse projects within marine biology with an emphasis on physiology, marine mammals, high pressure treatments and the development of innovative teaching labs.
Dr. Christopher F. Sacchi. Reproductive biology of native and introduced plant species with a focus on abiotic and biotic factors influencing plant growth and reproduction. Plant-herbivore and plant-pollinator interactions are of special interest.
Dr. Gregory P. Setliff. Insect taxonomy and systematics, especially of tropical weevils from the Indo-Australian region; related interests include documenting biodiversity, insect identification, invasive species, and tropical ecology.
Dr. Matthew Stone. Physiology, ecology, and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. His research focuses on bone dynamics of turtles, specifically in relation to reproduction.
Dr. William F. Towne. Communication, learning, and sun-compass orientation in honey bees.
Dr. Todd Underwood. The interactions between the brood parasitic brown-headed cowbird and its hosts. Brood parasitism is a reproductive strategy where female birds lay their eggs in other birds’ nests and leave all parental care to these “foster parents” or hosts. Also interested in other topics in avian behavior, ecology, and conservation.
Dr. Jennifer Venditti. Reproductive biology and andrology. Research focuses on determining the functional role and clinical relevance of the sperm associated enzyme α-L-fucosidase in human fertilization/fertility. Other aspects of her research include studying novel compounds for potential use as spermicides (US patent pending). Her research involves microscopy, enzyme assays, SDS-PAGE, western blotting, in vitro fertilization, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture.
Mr. Christopher J. Winslow; ABD: My research explores fish behavior and the mechanisms that regulate fish populations and structure fish communities. I am generally interested in how competition, predation, and the presence of invasive species structure freshwater food webs.