A group of students collects samples from a creek. "The Biologist: Winter 2021"
 
Letter from the Chair
Dear Alumni and Friends of Biological Sciences:

I have the honor of being the new Chair in Biological Sciences and sharing the recent successes and achievements of our faculty, staff, students and alumni.

We welcomed four new faculty members this academic year. Dr. Brian Carlson joined us from the College of Wooster and jumped right in teaching Genetics and Genetics Lab and will be introducing some course-based undergraduate research opportunities in the Advanced Molecular course this spring. We were also delighted to welcome Dr. Bradley Sarchet, who brings 25 years of anatomy and physiology teaching experience working with biology, pre-professional, and health science majors at a variety of different college settings. Further, he brings an interest in collaborating to improve pedagogical methods in the sciences.

Lynn Crane and Dr. Heleen Giesbers were hired into new faculty positions to provide full-time advisers for all students in the department. We are very excited about the opportunity to have our majors linked to one adviser throughout their academic career while also receiving career guidance from assigned faculty mentors.

Unfortunately, before we share more good news, I also need to share some sad news of 2020: the sudden loss of faculty member Rob Kues. Rob was an NKU alumnus who taught thousands of students in our department since joining the faculty in 1998. Many went on to careers in the health professions. We miss Rob dearly and found comfort in hearing from so many of his current and former students about his dedication and excellence in teaching. It’s an enormous tribute that we have already reached more than 40% of our goal to establish a memorial scholarship in his honor to support future biology educators. I know we are all still feeling the impacts of all that 2020 brought, but if you are interested and able to contribute to this special fund our goal is to collect through February 28, 2021.

This academic year has also brought a renewed focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) issues to our department. A new DEI committee in the department has been working hard and has already secured funds to increase accessibility in our courses. They have also selected two recipients of a newly established DEI scholarship aimed at students with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, or inclusivity initiatives.

I thank you in advance for your support and wish you a healthy and happy 2021.

Erin D. Strome, Ph.D.

Dr. Alan Cohen smiling in front of a forest
Dr. Alan Cohen is enjoying (Yes, enjoying!) what might be one of the busiest retirements on record. In addition to making significant enhancements in upper-division courses in Biological Sciences, he’s one of the campus leaders fighting back against COVID-19.

Dr. Denice Robertson in front of a cabin looking at students
It takes more than a Ph.D. to become a great teacher, and that’s why Dr. Denice Robertson continuously looks for new ways to improve her teaching and the success of her students. Her exceptional efforts earned her a unique opportunity to lead NKU’s new Center for Teaching and Learning.

Woman posing over an abandoned car tire in the woods
Dr. Allison Parker is trying to understand how land-use patterns affect mosquito populations, especially mosquitoes that transmit human diseases. This year, students across the country will collect data on mosquito ecology for Dr. Parker’s project, part of a National Science Foundation-funded network.

Woman sitting in front of a computer with two screens
Since graduating from NKU, Environmental Science major Thomas Gerding has published two important studies related to public and occupational health and safety. The first involved identifying risks related to improper disinfection of public pools. The other looked at health risks related to hastily designed home offices for those required to work from home during the pandemic.

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