Biography:
I earned a B.S. degree in Microbiology from Kansas State University and then went to work as a microbiologist for The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Mich. Following five years at Dow, I returned to graduate school and earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Washington State University. Prior to joining FSU in 1994, I completed a two year postdoc at Case Western Reserve University.
The areas of biology I find most fascinating are the molecular mechanisms by which microorganisms cause disease and the structure and function of membrane proteins.
At FSU I have taught general biology for majors and non-majors, microbiology, biochemistry and race class and gender. Currently the courses that occupy most of my time are Biosphere (introductory biology for elementary education majors) and Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology for upper level biology and forensic science majors.
When not in the classroom, I enjoy biking on the ever expanding rails-to-trails network in North Central West Virginia and exploring the West Virginia wilderness by backpacking.
What have you learned while teaching at Fairmont State?:
I chose college teaching as a career because I thought it would be rewarding and fulfilling. I am happy to say that my experience at Fairmont State has exceeded my expectations. Teaching is far more rewarding than I imagined.
What do students like best about your class?:
Here are a few comments from my student class evaluations:
He is very willing to answer questions if one is having problems.
He was very helpful in explaining concepts that were not always clear.
He went out of his way to help students.
I learned so much and class was fun and interesting.
He is intelligent, very motivating and interesting.
He is very effective at communicating a difficult curriculum. He also has a very good ensemble of nice shirts.
He was very helpful and answered questions without making you feel like you were stupid.
