Faculty

Education

Dr. Aldras directs ESU’s programs in Biotechnology and Medical Technology, and he also serves as the advisor for the Laboratory Medicine concentration. He teaches courses in Mechanisms of Disease, Immunology, and Parasitology, and his research interests are in host-parasite interactions and immune responses to pathogens.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Aldras teaches courses on Mechanisms of Disease I & II, Immunology, and Parasitology.

Research Interest

Dr. Aldras does research on host-parasite interactions, immunological assessments of host immune responses to infectious diseases, and biotechnology.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Aldras directs ESU’s programs in Biotechnology and Medical Technology, and he serves as the advisor for the Laboratory Medicine concentration. In addition, he is the faculty advisor for ESU’s Biotechnology Club.

Publications & presentations

Bischer, A., and A. Aldras. 2017. The effects of artificial sweeteners and probiotics on the gut microbiome and immune system. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Kings College.

Chern, K., J.E. Huffman, and A. Aldras. 2017. Local prevalence and strain diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi and Ixodes scapularis in Peromyscus leucopus. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Kings College.

Lollis, E., D. Prestifilippo, and A. Aldras. 2016. In vitro study of the effects of Vitamin B-12 on Propionibacterium acnes and its production of porphyrin leading to acne. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Delaware Valley University.

Education

B.S. 2017, University of California, Santa Cruz
M.S. 2022, University of Chicago
Ph.D 2023, University of Chicago

Dr. Gartner currently teaches Human Anatomy and Physiology and Histology. Her research surrounds understanding soft tissue mechanics and evolution of the skull in fish and birds.

Education

B.S., 1988, University of Rochester
Ph.D., 1996, University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Hunt directs ESU's Marine Science program and teaches a range of courses in marine biology, both at ESU and at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station. His research is on the ecology and behavior of marine invertebrates.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Hunt teaches Investigations in Marine Science, Introduction to Oceanography, Marine Biology, Behavior of Marine Organisms, Marine Aquaculture, and Conservation in Marine Science, Marine Evolutionary Ecology, Marine Ecology, and Coral Reef Ecology.

Research Interest

Dr. Hunt’s research is on the behavior and ecology of marine animals. He is particularly interested in deep sea biology and the behavior of cephalopods.

Student Groupd Advising

Dr. Hunt directs ESU’s Marine Science program and is the faculty advisor for ESU’s Marine Science Club. He also serves as a member of the ESU Council on Undergraduate Research.

Publications & Presentations

Hunt, J.C., D.J. Lindsay, and T. Okutani. 2019. Capture of the coronate medusa Periphyllopsis braueri, by the giant seven-arm octopus, Haliphron atlanticus. Plankton and Benthos Research, 14: 52-54.

Hunt, J.C., and D.J. Lindsay. 2012. In situ behavioral observations of the mesopelagic squid Stigmatoteuthis dolfleini (Cephalopoda: Histioteuthidae). American Malacological Bulletin, 30(2): 1–4.

Hunt, J.C., D.J. Lindsay, and R.R. Shahalemi. 2011. A nursery site of the golden skate (Rajiformes: Rajidae: Bathyraja smirnovi) on the Shiribeshi Seamount, Sea of Japan. Marine Biodiversity Records 4: e70, 7pp.

Education

B.S., 2004, California State University Los Angeles
Ph.D., 2010, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, of New York University

Dr. Kavanau directs ESU’s Pre-Physical Therapy concentration and teaches courses in Human Anatomy & Physiology and Animal Physiology. He is a computational neuroscientist, with a special interest in artificial neural networks.

Teaching Initerest

Dr. Kavanau teaches Human Anatomy & Physiology for the Health Sciences I & II and also Animal Physiology.

Research Interest

Dr. Kavanau’s research focuses on applying artificial intelligence and computational neuroscience to both electron microscopy image analysis and the analysis of the complex mixtures of signals found in the brain.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Kavanau directs ESU’s Pre-Physical Therapy concentration and is the faculty advisor for ESU’s Pre-Physical Therapy Club.

Publications & Presentations

Kavanau C., Montesano L., Jun. 27 2019. C. Kavanau assignee, US Patent Application Number 20190197332 16/215616. Method And System For Aligning And Classifying Images

Education

B.S., 1981, Michigan State University
M.S., 1983, Michigan State University
Ph.D., 1991, City University of New York

Dr. LaDuke is a broadly-trained organismal biologist who teaches courses in Field Zoology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Herpetology, and Tropical Ecosystems. He has research interests in herpetology, vertebrate anatomy, vertebrate paleontology, and tropical biology.

Teaching Interest

Dr. LaDuke teaches courses in Field Zoology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, and Herpetology. He also teaches Biology of Tropical Ecosystems, which includes a field trip to Costa Rica

Research Interest

Dr. LaDuke does research on the morphology, systematics, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. He has special interests in Neotropical herpetology and in paleontology.

Student Group Advising

Dr. LaDuke serves as the advisor for the Pre-Veterinary students within the Pre-Med concentration.

Publications & Presentations

Murman, K., and T.C. LaDuke. 2017. Comparative dietary analysis of five species of streamside salamander in Pennsylvania. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.

Cannon, S., and T.C. LaDuke. 2016. Niche partitioning by shelter site selection in Neotropical tree frogs of northeastern Costa Rica. Presentation at the Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Annual Meeting.

Lattanzio, M.S., and T.C. LaDuke. 2012. Habitat use and activity budgets of emerald basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons) in northeast Costa Rica. Copeia 2012(3):4 65-471.

LaDuke, T.C., D.W. Krause, J.D. Scanlon, and N.J. Kley. 2010. A Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) snake assemblage from the Maevarano Formation, Mahajanga Basin, Madagascar. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(1):109-138.

Education

B.A., 1998, University of Florida
Ph.D., 2003, Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Loomis is a microbiologist and virologist who teaches courses in Microbiology, Applied Microbiology, and Virology. He conducts research on mixed microbial biofilms, antibiotics, and the history of epidemic diseases.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Loomis teaches Microbiology, Applied Microbiology, Pathogenic Microbiology, and Virology.

Research Interest

Dr. Loomis conducts research in various topics in microbiology and virology, including mixed microbial biofilms, antibiotic discovery, and the history of epidemic diseases.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Loomis is the faculty advisor for the Pre-Medicine concentration and he also advises the Pre-Medicine Club.

Publications & Presentations

Loomis, J.S. 2018. Epidemics: The Impact of Germs and Their Power over Humanity. ABC-CLIO.

Lin, Y.J., L. Alsad, F. Vogel, S. Koppar, L. Nevarez, F. Augste, J. Seymour, A. Syed, K. Christoph, and J.S. Loomis. 2013. Interactions between Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus within mixed species biofilms. BIOL 84(1): 30-39.

Education

B.V.M., 2006, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
M.Sc., 2014, Virginia Tech
Ph.D., 2018, Virginia Tech

Dr. Mesa is a physiological ecologist who teaches Animal Physiology and Introductory Biology. His research assesses responses of terrestrial vertebrates to environmental change, including anthropogenic ecological modifications. He works across multiple disciplines to develop molecular, cellular, and organismal monitoring techniques to inform conservation programs.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Mesa teaches Animal Physiology and Introductory Biology.

Research Interest

Dr. Mesa has a broad multidisciplinary interest that includes: environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys of ranavirus, and Chytrid fungus in Pennsylvania, American black bear (Ursus americanus) hibernation physiology, Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) population monitoring using drones, Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) and domestic cat (Felis catus) population monitoring using camera traps and spatial population modeling.

Publications & Presentations

Mesa-Cruz J. B., Lopez-Soliz, M., Mears J., Stauffer A. 2024. Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis Reveals Presence of Chytrid Fungus and Ranavirus in The Southern End of Michaux State Forest, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Fish and Wildlife Diversity Forum, Pennsylvania Biological Survey. State College, PA, USA.

O’Hehir S., Mesa-Cruz J. B., Harding L., Proctor C., Burton F., Mueller M., Townley S. 2023. Letting the cat into the bag: Responses of feral cats to trapping efforts and management implications in the Salina Reserve. Iguana Specialist Group Conference. Peten, Guatemala.

Ziyuan H., Proctor C., Kevin H., Bellur S., Kumar Tatikonda P., Harding L., Burton F., Mesa-Cruz J. B. 2023. Automation of Camera-trap Image Sorting Using Planarian DenseNet Neural Networks: A Data Science Odyssey into the Wild. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Louisville, KY, USA.

Holcombe B., Mesa-Cruz J. B., Kelly M. 2023. Factors Influencing Duration of Behaviors in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) Adult Females and Their Cubs Surrounding Hibernation. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Louisville, KY, USA.

Mesa-Cruz J. B., Proctor C., Harding L., Burton F. 2023. Establishing Camera-trap Arrays to Conduct Population Monitoring of the Endangered Grand Cayman Blue Iguana. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Louisville, KY, USA.

Mesa-Cruz J. B., Proctor C., Zanon-Martinez J., Sarvis A. 2023. Novel Drone Population Monitoring of Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and Invasive Species at Lihué Calel National Park, La Pampa, Argentina. Presidential Research Presentation Series, Harrisburg University. Harrisburg, PA, USA.

Calhoun, T., Mesa-Cruz, J. B., Holcombe, B. E. Osborn, D. A. D’Angelo, G. J., Lafon, N., Kelly, M. J. 2023. Splitting hairs: Differentiating fawn from adult deer by hair width. Journal of Mammalogy 104: 324-332.

Brown, P., Chen, Y., Ivanova, M., Leekitcharoenphon, P., Parsons, C., Niedermeyer, J., Gould, N., Strules, J., Mesa-Cruz, J.B., Kelly, M.J. and Hooker, M.J. 2023. Draft Genome Sequences of 158 Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in the United States. American Society for Microbiology e00248-23.

Mesa-Cruz, J. B., Olfenbuttel, C., Vaughan, M., Sajecki, J. L., Kelly, M. J. 2020. Litter size and cub age influence weight gain and development in American black bears (Ursus americanus). Journal of Mammalogy 101: 564-573.

Education

B.A., 2009, Skidmore College
Ph.D., 2016, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Dr. Rollinson serves as the Biology Graduate Program Coordinator and she teaches courses in General Ecology, Plant Ecology, and Biogeography, and also a graduate course in Research Design and Analysis. She is a plant ecologist and her research focuses on plant community ecology, riparian habitats, and invasive plant species.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Rollinson teaches courses in General Ecology, Plant Ecology, and Biogeography, and also a graduate course in Research Design and Analysis.

Research Interest

Dr. Rollinson does research in plant ecology, diversity and assembly mechanisms of riparian plant communities, and on biological invasions, including invasive plants.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Rollinson serves as the Biology Graduate Program Coordinator and advises students in the General Biology concentration.

Publications & Presentations

Rollinson, E.J. and J. Ness. 2021. Surrounded by increasingly distant things: community phylo-proximity as predictor of invasion dynamics. Presentation at: Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting.

Rollinson, E.J. 2020. Natural history education and community outreach through the campus arboretum. Presentation at: Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting.

Kattje, J., G. Bönisch, S. Díaz, S. Lavorel, I.C. Prentice, P. Leadley, S. Tautenhahn, G. Werner […] E.J. Rollinson […] and C. Worth. 2020. Twelve years of TRY – towards a third generation of plant trait data assimilation and sharing. Global Change Biology 26(1): 119-188.

Lowry, E., E.J. Rollinson, A.J. Laybourn, T. Scott, M. Aiello-Lammens, S.M. Gray, J. Mickey, and J. Gurevich. 2013. Biological invasions: a field synopsis, systematic review, and database of the literature. Ecology & Evolution 3(1) 182-196.

Education

B.S., 1990, St. Cloud State University
Ph.D., 1996, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Dr. Tauer is a cell and molecular biologist who teaches courses in introductory biology, biotechnology, and eukaryotic cell culture.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Tauer teaches courses in Introductory Biology, Introduction to Biotechnology, and Cell Culture.

Research Interest

Dr. Tauer is a cell and molecular biologist with specific interests in molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and characterization of protein coding sequences.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Tauer advises students in the General Biology concentration.

Publications & Presentations

Tauer, T.J. 2012. Commentary: The marine science consortium…Hands-on, feet-wet education. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 86(1): 1-2.

Dean, M., J. Welch, C. Brandt, and T. Tauer. 2009. Surface analyses of biocements from Pectinaria gouldii (Polychaeta: Pectinariidae) and Phragmatopoma lapidosa (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae). Zoosymposia 2: 329-337.

Education

B.S., 1995, University of Connecticut
M.S., 1999, North Carolina State University
Ph.D., 2003, North Carolina State University

Dr. Wallace serves as Department Chair for Biological Sciences and teaches Insects and Human Life, General Entomology, and Insect Systematics. He does research on insect diversity and classification, with a specific interest in the systematics of treehoppers.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Wallace teaches a non-majors course in Insects and Human Life, plus upper-level courses in General Entomology and Insect Systematics.

Research Interest

Dr. Wallace is an insect systematist and conducts research on an interesting family of insects, the treehoppers.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Wallace advises students in the General Biology concentration.

Publications & Presentations

Wallace, M.S. 2018. A new species of Telamonini from the eastern United States and the taxonomic limits of Telamona salvini Distant (Hemiptera: Smiliinae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 120(3): 605-615.

Wallace, M.S. 2014. The host plants of the Telamonini treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Smiliinae) and the first diagnoses of nymphs for 14 species. Zootaxa 3878(2): 146-166.

Wallace, M.S., and L.L. Deitz. 2004. Phylogeny and Systematics of the Treehopper Subfamily Centrotinae (Hemiptera: Membracidae). Memoirs on Entomology, International, 19: iv + 377 pp.

Education

B.S., 1984, Wright State University
Ph.D., 1993, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Dr. Whitford advises the Biology Secondary Education majors and teaches courses in Genetics, Invertebrate Zoology, and Molecular Biology. Her research is on the biology of regeneration in marine annelids.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Whitford teaches courses in Introductory Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Invertebrate Zoology.

Research Interest

Dr. Whitford does research on the biology of regeneration in marine annelid worms.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Whitford advises the Biology Secondary Education concentration and is the faculty advisor for the Biology Club.

Publications & Presentations

Whitford, T.A., and J.D. Williams. 2016. Anterior regeneration in the polychaete Marenzelleria viridis (Annelida: Spionidae). Invertebrate Biology 2016: 357-369.

Matsumoto, Y., V. Rodriguez, T.A. Whitford, N. Beeharry, H. Ide, and A.E. Tomkinson. 2015. Synergistic enhancement of 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity by deoxyuridine analogs in cancer cells. Oncoscience. Advanced Online Publication, 9 February 2015.

Brennan, Z., and T.A. Whitford. 2015. Regeneration of the anterior nervous system in Marenzelleria viridis. Presentation at Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium, East Stroudsburg University.

Whitford, T.A., and J.D. Williams. 2011. Morphogenesis during anterior regeneration in Marenzelleria viridis. Platform presentation at 2nd International Congress on Invertebrate Morphology, Harvard University.

Education

B.S., 1988, Lafayette College
Ph.D., 1996, Washington University

Dr. Wilson directs ESU’s Environmental Studies program and teaches courses in environmental science, evolutionary biology, and ecology. He has done research on the biogeography of freshwater fishes and is currently involved with monitoring of aquatic ecosystems as part of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI). He also performs community service related to freshwater ecology.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Wilson teaches courses in Stream Ecology, Organic Evolution, and Environmental Biology.

Research Interest

Dr. Wilson has done research on the biogeography of freshwater fishes and is currently focusing on traditional freshwater ecology. He is involved with ongoing monitoring of aquatic ecosystems as part of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI). Learn more

Student Group advising

Dr. Wilson directs ESU’s Environmental Studies program and also serves as the faculty advisor for ESU’s Environmental Club and for charity: water.

Publications & Presentations

Tiegs, S., et al. 2019. Global patterns and drivers of ecosystem functioning in rivers and riparian zones. Science Advances 5(1): eaav0486. doi: 10.1126.

Reeves*, Christa, Kristen Roth*, and Paul Wilson. 2019. From golf course to wildlife refuge; quantifying restoration efforts with low-cost sensor technology using stream discharge and turbidity. Annual meeting Northeast Natural History Conference.

Barrett, B., et al. 2018. Plan for Clean Water for Monroe County: A Municipal Guide to Protecting Land that Protects Water. Report published by Brodhead Watershed Association, P. Wilson and B. Evans, project advisors. Published by William Penn Foundation & Open Space Institute.

Wilson, P.B. 2017. Projects to Improve and Maintain Water Quality in the Delaware River Watershed, Delaware River Watershed Forum (5th Annual), Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, P.B. Wilson, Session Speaker and Moderator.

Brennan, L., and P. Wilson. 2017. Water Quality Monitoring Using Macroinvertebrates as Biological Indicators in Pocono Mountain Creeks, 92nd Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Delaware Valley University.

Education

B.S., 2012, Northwest A&F University, China
Ph.D., 2018, University of California, Davis

Dr. Zhang is a plant physiologist who teaches courses in Introductory Biology, Plant Physiology, and Plant Responses to Environmental Stress. Her research is in plant physiology, and in particular intracellular phosphate dynamics in roots during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.

Teaching Interest

Dr. Zhang teaches courses in Introductory Biology, Plant Responses to Environmental Stress, and Plant Physiology.

Research Interest

Dr. Zhang does research in plant physiology, focusing on understanding intracellular phosphate dynamics in roots during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, which is an ancient and widespread mutualism between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Student Group Advising

Dr. Zhang advises students in the General Biology concentration.

Publications & Presentations

Zhang, S., Daniels, D.A., Ivanov, S., Jurgensen, L., Müller, L.M., Versaw, W.K. and Harrison, M.J. 2022. A genetically encoded biosensor reveals spatiotemporal variation in cellular phosphate content in Brachypodium distachyon mycorrhizal roots. New Phytologist, 234: 1817-1831.

Elias Bassil, Shiqi Zhang, Haijun Gong, Hiromi Tajima, Eduardo Blumwald. 2019. Cation specificity of vacuolar NHX-Type cation/H+ antiporters. Plant Physiology, 179 (2): 616–629.