The University of Findlay - Meet The Biology Faculty

Bethany Henderson-Dean, Ph.D.

Director of Biology, Assistant Professor of Biology

Dr. Henderson-Dean teaches Microbiology I and II lecture and Labs, Immunology, Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology, Introduction to Researcy, and Special Investigations courses. Besides teaching, Dr. Henderson-Dean advises the student Wilderness Club on campus.

Dr. Bethany Henderson-Dean focuses her research on microbial antibiotic resistance. Most recently her work has focused on transmission of antibiotic resistance in wildlife associated with farm practices. She has recently presented her work at the NCASM National Conference of American Society of Microbiology along with presentations at various state and local venues. Other projects she is involved in with students include MRSA transmission in pet populations associated with healthcare workers and agriculture bioterrorism issues.

Jacqueline Connour, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

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Dr. Connour teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Comparative Anatomy, and Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology courses at the University of Findlay.

My research focuses primarily on locomotory biomechanics in mammalian skeletons. I work with prosimian primates (lemurs, etc.), New World monkeys, squirrels, colugos, anomalurids, possums, tree shrews, and bats. These animals are all below 10 kilograms and many of them show convergent locomotory adaptations to arboreal environments. Some of the groups are closely related, while others are phylogenetically linked only by ancient and poorly known ancestors. Locomotory behaviors examined include above-branch walking, climbing, leaping, gliding, and flying. Using X-ray data and other measurements. I study the effects of these behaviors on postcranial skeletal parameters. Additional projects I have been involved with include studies of dental microwear and growth patterns in New World monkeys, cranial differences among small primates, hand-use in colobine monkeys, and behaviorial analyses of diverse animals.

Benjamin Dolan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology

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Dr. Dolan teaches Botany and labs, Introduction to Research, Biodiversity Form and Function, General Ecology and Conservation Biology.

Dr. Dolan is an ecologist with interests in forest plant communities and disturbance ecology. His research examines the changes in plant communities to various disturbances, including fire and timber harvesting. He is particularly interested in the dynamics of oak forest ecosystems which are transitioning to a maple-beech forest type throughout much of Ohio and other forest regions of the eastern United States. Dr. Dolan teaches General Ecology, Botany, Biodiversity: Form and Function, Introduction to Research, and Conservation Biology. Students who are interested in conducting independent research or honors projects with Dr. Dolan in the fields of botany or ecology are encouraged to meet with him to design a project of interest. Students working with Dr. Dolan can gain experience identifying plants, analyzing soils, using GIS and GPS, working outdoors in the field, and improving computational skills, among other things. Past projects include using geographic information systems to assess potential damage of emerald ash borer and developing a vegetation classification system for the Rieck Center for Habitat Studies. Students can work with Dr. Dolan to develop a project or they may design their own research.

Michael Edelbrock, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

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Dr. Edelbrock teaches Human Genetics, Cell Biology and Special Investigations courses.

Dr. Edelbrock is currently investigating the role of DNA repair proteins in the process of carcinogenesis. Mutational evidence from tumor tissues indicates that faulty repair proteins are involved in Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) and other diseases. Furthermore, many HNPCC contain hotspots of mutation on codons 12, 13, 61 of the human protooncogene Kras. My research involves the development of a model system to assay DNA Mismatch repair efficiency in mammalian cell systems. Specifically, I am investigating whether cell cycle and/or epigenetic events such as promoter methylation have a role in the regulation of mismatch repair protein expression or activities and contribute to the cancer process.

Matthew Hoostal, Ph.D. Candidate

Instructor of Biology

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Mr. Hoostal teaches Intro to Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology lecture and lab, and Introduction to Research courses.

Mr. Hoostal's research area of interests are within the discipline of environmental microbiology. Types of research questions include, how can we monitor whether bacteria in a certain environment are capable of degrading contaminants, how might coliform bacteria counts differ in flooded versus non-flooded regions, or how might nutrient cycling differ in organic agriculture plots versus plots utilizing more traditional farming methods. Therefore, enviromental microbiology has important applications to environmental sciences, public health, and agriculture.

Linda Peck, D.V.M.

Director of Pre-Veterinary Studies

Professor of Animal Science and Biology

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Dr. Peck teaches Anatomy and Physiology I and II for the Biology Department besides serving as the Director of the PVET Program. Since her main interests center on clinical veterinary practice, she often supervises research projects that involve animal physiology. She advises upper class PVET and biology majors. She is an associate veterinarian for Findlay Animal Hospital and Findlay Animal Care Center, Inc.

Terry D. Schwaner, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Sciences

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Dr. Schwaner teaches general (non-majors) biology, Intro to Cell and Molecular biology, Genetics, Honors Herpetology, and Honors Critical Thinking (Evolution), and mentors students in honors theses and undergraduate independent studies.

Dr. Schwaner's research spans 40 years and focuses on the systematics, ecology, genetics and conservation biology of amphibians and reptiles. In addition, he has published articles on intestinal helminth parasites of indigenous peoples, catalogs of poisonous, edible and useful plants, plant population genetics, and science education. Currently, Dr. Schwaner's research focuses on tracking the dispersal routes of Mediterranean geckos using DNA sequences, establishing a baseline population study of bullfrogs colonizing a new, artificial pond, hypbridization between two species of toads in Arizona and Utah (in collaboration with Dr. Brian Sullivan). he contnues to analyze data, write manuscripts and publish studies from 20 years working with Australian Tiger snakes, and has a final goal of publishing a book on the subject.

Christopher White, M.S.

Laboratory Manager, Instructor of Biology

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Mr. White teaches Human Genetics and manages the new biology and research labs in the Davis St. building.

Mr. White's research interest lies in the taxonomy and systematics of marine invertebrates, specifically the echinoderm class Crinoidea. Much is still unknown/debated regarding recent crinoid interrelationships. He plans to apply molecular techniques to elucidate the various relations within the class and in the process to advance the ideas of DNA barcoding and DNA taxonomy as viable methodologies for cataloging biodiversity.