Amy Abel
Visiting Instructor of Biology

Areas of expertise

  • Cellular and molecular biology
  • Cancer biology
  • Reproductive biology

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, General Biology, minor in Psychology, Northern Michigan University, 2018. 
  • Master of Science, Biology, Northern Michigan University, 2023

Contact:

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Dr. David Blake
Professor of Biology

Expertise

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology 
  • Pulmonary toxicology 
  • Cellular and molecular biology

Education

  • Ph.D., Integrated Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Montana, 2007
  • Master of Science, Biochemistry, University of Montana, 2005
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biology, University of Pennsylvania

Contact:

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Dr. Shere Byrd
Professor of Biology

Interests

  • Cellular and molecular biology
  • Cell and systems physiology
  • Natural products and alternative cancer drugs

Education

  • Ph.D., Applied Physiology, University of Oregon, 1987
  • Master of Science, Applied Physiology, University of Oregon, 1983
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biology, Western State College, 1980

Contact:

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Dr. Keisha Carlson
Assistant Professor of Biology

Areas of expertise

  • Genetics
  • Genomics
  • Bioinformatics
  • Molecular biology
  • Plant biology

Education

  • Ph.D., Genome Sciences, University of Washington, 2014
  • B.S. Biology, Brown University, 2008

Contact:

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Dr. Aurea Cortés-Palomec
Senior Lecturer of Biology

Expertise

  • Plant Population Genetics
  • Conservation Biology
  • Plant Reproductive Biology

Education

  • Ph.D., Plant Biology, Ohio University, 2005
  • M.Sc., Plant Biology, Ohio University, 2001
  • B.Sc., Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 1998

Contact:

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Dr. Cynthia Dott
Professor of Biology

Expertise 

  • Ecology and dynamics of river systems
  • Riparian/floodplain forest habitat
  • Riparian vegetation response to changing hydrology, geomorphology and disturbance regimes
  • Links between vegetation and disturbance history
  • Aquatic ecology
  • Scientific teaching and cooperative learning methodology in the classroom

Education 

  • Ph.D., Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1996 
  • Master of Science, Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1990 
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biology, The Colorado College, 1985 

Contact:

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Dr. Lee Ann Harbison
Lecturer of Biology

Expertise

  • Mammalian Behavioral Ecology
  • Forest Ecology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Biology

Education

  • Ph.D. Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University; 2004
  • M.S. Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado; 1998
  • B. A. Psychology (Minor in Biology), Trinity University; San Antonio, Texas; 1994

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7446
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Dr. Cathleen Hartney
Senior Lecturer of Biology

Expertise

  • Veterinary medicine
  • Animal anatomy
  • Human anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Disease
  • Writing

Education

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, 1988
  • Bachelor of Arts, Albion College, 1980

Contact:

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Dr. Julie Korb
Professor of Biology

Expertise

  • Fire ecology
  • Post-wildfire ecology
  • Forest ecology
  • Forest restoration
  • Restoration ecology
  • Plant community ecology
  • Climate change impacts
  • Phenology

Education

  • Ph.D., Forest Science, Northern Arizona University, 2001
  • Master of Science, Field Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1997
  • Bachelor of Arts, Physical Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1994

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-382-6905
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Dr. Tim Korpita
Associate Professor of Biology

Education:

  • Ph.D., University of Colorado – Boulder, 2023
  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Relay Graduate School of Education, 2014
  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Tufts University, 2012

Areas of expertise:

  • Microbiology
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Herpetology
  • Conservation Biology

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7318
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Dr. Erin Lehmer
Professor of Biology

Expertise

  • Wildlife
  • Physiological ecology
  • Disease ecology
  • Infectious disease
  • Ecological immunology
  • Mammalogy

Education

  • Ph.D., Zoology, Colorado State University, 2004
  • M.S., Zoology, Colorado State University, 2000
  • B.S., Biology, Fort Lewis College, 1997

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7024
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T. Autumn Leigh
Visiting Professor of Biology

Areas of expertise

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Human Diseases
  • Pathophysiology
  • Human Biology

Education

  • Master of Science, Clinical Exercise Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, 2003
  • Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Pittsburgh, 2002

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-6430
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Dr. Ross McCauley
Chair & Professor of Biology

Expertise

  • Plant systematics and taxonomy
  • Phylogeography
  • Evolutionary/Molecular Ecology
  • Endangered species conservation
  • Herbarium management and curation

Education

  • Ph.D., Botany, Ohio University, 2002
  • Master of Science, Botany, Ohio University, 1999
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology and Biophysical Environmental Studies, Northland College, 1995

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7338
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Dr. Joseph Ortega
Professor of Biology

Interests

  • Ecology and behavior of birds and mammals
  • Avian reproductive success according to habitat and different grazing intensities
  • The initial effects of the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire on avian populations

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1988
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1980

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7458
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Dr. Amanda Saddler
Lecturer of Biology

Areas of Expertise

  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology
  • Veterinary cardiology and internal medicine
  • Veterinary echocardiography and ultrasonography
  • Human diseases

Education

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, 2000
  • Master of Science, Toxicology, University of New Mexico, 1994
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, South Africa, 1983

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7299
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Dr. Ryan Schwarz
Associate Professor of Biology

Expertise

  • Symbiont communities of bees
  • Trypanosomatid parasites of insects
  • Phylogenetics and genomics
  • Honey bee biology and health
  • Invertebrate immune systems

Education

  • Ph.D., Biology, University of New Mexico, 2007
  • B.S., Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, 1995

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7396
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Our Staff

Paula Miller
Administrative Assistant II

970-247-6014
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Kami Parrish-Larson
Lab Coordinator

970-247-7213
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Emma Leary
Lab Coordinator

970-247-7029
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In Memoriam

Dr. John Dever
Dr. James Erickson
Dr. Ginny Hutchins
Dr. David Jamieson


Emeriti Faculty

Dr. John Condie
Dr. Deborah Kendall
Dr. Page Lindsey
Dr. Thomas Sluss
Dr. Preston Somers
Dr. Al Spencer