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. Daniel Aruscavage.  Food safety in the home, such as contamination of cutting boards and sponges, is studied.  Several other aspects of microbiology are also considered, such as antibiotic resistance, water quality, and microbial physiology. 

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. Douglas Becker.   Conservation biology and avian and landscape ecology with an emphasis on how biological communities change within human modified environments and management strategies to balance human and wildlife needs. 

Dr. Nancy M. Butler.  Freshwater and marine ecology, including plankton feeding strategies, mating behavior, physiology, and community structure. 

Ms. Melissa Gehret.  Interests include studying various methods of biological control for economically important insects.  Specifically researched and biologically characterized components of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) pheromone. 

Dr. Christopher Habeck.  Conservation biology, restoration ecology, and plant-herbivore interactions. I am interested in 1) how plant chemistry influences consumers, 2) how consumer foraging choices impact invasion dynamics, and 3) how consumers influence restoration success through alterations to the compositional and chemical signature of plant communities. My work integrates around a larger theme of enhancing basic and applied ecological knowledge for the conservation of species, habitat restoration, and mitigation. Please visit my website:  http://habeck-ecology.weebly.com/index.html 

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. 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. Carsten Sanders.  Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics; the molecular understanding and biotechnological use of proteins involved in energy transduction pathways and in induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death).

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. Elizabeth M. Skendzic.  Plant taxonomy and plant molecular systematics with an interest on the grass family, the Poaceae.

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. Robyn Underwood.  Focuses on aiding beekeepers in managing honey bee pests and diseases.  I am also involved in efforts to document winter losses across the country. 

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.