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Latest University News
Professor Margot Singer

Professor Margot Singer explores layered identities in new book

May 27, 2025
The Men's Tennis team with their trophy in front of the final scoreboard.

A dream fulfilled: Denison wins its first NCAA men’s tennis title

May 23, 2025
Photo of Matt Tanney, new associate vice president and director of athletics

Denison names Matt Tanney new associate vice president and director of athletics

May 20, 2025
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Faculty Research Interests

Overview of Biology faculty research areas and interests

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Biology



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    Research & Off-Campus Study

    Opportunities for student research in Biology at Denison University

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Cristina Caldari
Cristina Caldari

Adipoimmunology--Modulation of the immune response by adipokines, hormones made by adipose tissue

I study how to reduce adipose tissue (AT)-mediated inflammation through nutritional interventions. I am interested in elucidating how omega-3 fatty acids decrease AT-produced inflammatory molecules and if this decrease is mediated through the adipocytes or the macrophages residing in AT.

Solomon Chak
Solomon Tin Chi Chak

Genomics; Bioinformatics; Behavior; Evolution; Marine Biology; Transposable Elements, Eusociality

My research focuses on evolution, genomics, and animal behavior.

Warren D. Hauk
Warren D. Hauk

Evolution of species in Adder’s Tongue ferns

As a plant systematist, I am interested in studying how plants evolve, and how understanding their evolutionary history can help us classify them in more meaningful ways. My research focuses on primitive ferns of the family Ophioglossaceae (adder's tongue ferns), and I use both whole organism and molecular methods. I employ DNA sequencing to help understand evolutionary relationships among species, and a PCR based technique (ISSR markers) to evaluate genetic variation within and among populations of closely related species.

Ayana Hinton
Ayana Hinton

Vacuolar H+-ATPase assembly and function

Role of acid pumps in cancer metastasis using human breast cancer cells as a model system and assembly of these pumps using S. cerevisiae as a model system.

Rebecca N. Homan
Rebecca N. Homan

Amphibian ecology and conservation

My research focuses on understanding the habitat requirements of pond-breeding amphibians, as well as on expanding the ways in which effects of habitat loss can be measured and monitored. Wetlands themselves have gained some protection in recent years, however many wetland organisms, including amphibians, rely heavily on the terrestrial upland. It is crucial to the protection of native wetland species that we understand both the quantity and quality of terrestrial habitat required to support a healthy population. Many pond-breeding amphibians, particularly Ambystoma species, can live for a decade or more, and this long life span can make traditional population studies challenging. Developing alternative techniques that can supplement, or in some time sensitive cases, replace traditional population studies may aid in the relatively rapid identification of at-risk populations, as well as enable the implementation of more effective management strategies. To that end, I am currently planning several experiments including a long-term population study of a pond-breeding salamander (A. maculatum) and several studies of potential rapid assessment techniques for identifying populations at risk of severe decline or extinction at local ponds.

Clare C. Jen
Clare C. Jen

Gender, race, nation, and sexuality in public health discourses

She is an associate professor in the Women’s Studies Program and the Department of Biology at Denison University. Her areas of research include critical race and gender studies, feminist studies of science and health, and media studies. In particular, she is interested in the formations of gender, race, nation, and sexuality in public health discourses. With respect to feminist science studies, she works with feminist science methodologies, laboratory practices, and activisms.

Andy McCall
Andy McCall

The stability of plant-insect mutualisms

I am broadly interested in the interactions among plants and their environment and visitors.  In particular, I investigate how mutualisms such as plant-pollinator systems can withstand interruptions by other insects.   I do this in two main study systems, with opportunities to work both in the greenhouse and in field conditions.

Jessica Rettig
Jessica E. Rettig

ecology, zooplankton, aquatic, fish, small pond, invertebrate, turtle, population dynamics, community ecology

I study the ecology of animal populations inhabiting in small ponds (< 2 ha). My study organisms include native sunfish, non-native mosquitofish, their macroinvertebrate and zooplankton prey, and other animals (i.e., crayfish, amphibians, turtles).

Heather J. Rhodes
Heather J. Rhodes

Neuroscience, neurobiology, ethology, physiology, behavior, xenopus laevis, cephalopod, chemosensation, smell, taste

I am interested in understanding how animals obtain the information they need to select appropriate behaviors. I have approached similar questions in very different species, from frogs to octopuses, using a wide variety of approaches and techniques.

Laura Allison Romano
Laura Allison Romano

Evolution of developmental mechanisms using a marine invertebrate, the sea urchin, as a model system.

My interdisciplinary research is focused on understanding the molecular basis of phenotypic diversity as well as the impact of environmental change on the eggs, embryos, and larvae of aquatic invertebrates.

Geoff Smith
Geoff Smith

Population and Community Ecologist

My research examines how the environment influences populations and communities, particularly of amphibians and reptiles. I am especially interested in how human-induced changes in the environment alter community-level interactions.

Jeff Thompson
Jeff Thompson

Molecular Geneticist

Molecular Geneticist — Investigations into epigenetic responses to DNA damage, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system.

Susan Villarreal
Susan Villarreal

Insect behavior and ecology

My research focuses on insect behavior and ecology. My lab consists of two aims, each exploring a different level of biological organization. My summer research mainly focuses on the broader topic of insect community ecology. I’m interested in how habitat fragmentation effects biodiversity. Specifically, if natural areas can act as a refuge for insects in anthropogenic habitats and the consequences of fragment size and isolation on insect biodiversity. At the organismal level, I’m interested in the drivers of mate choice and sexual selection. I use multiple insect models to understand the impact of individual variability on mating decisions. Specifically, my aim is to collect and rear Culex spp. mosquitoes to determine the influence of relatedness on fecundity and female mate choice. During the fall term I also run acoustic communication experiments as a continuation of my doctoral research.

Christine Weingart
Christine Weingart

Pathogenesis of Burkholderia cenocepacia

My goal is to find more effective ways to treat B. cenocepacia lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. I use infection models to study how the bacterium Burkholderia cenocepacia causes disease and to use bacteriophages to block disease.

Lina Yoo
Lina Yoo

Tumor suppression and growth factor signaling

I am interested in the roles that microRNAs play in the development of cancer. My research focuses on identifying microRNA targets and studying the effects of altering these pathways on cellular behavior.

Spotlights

Annabelle Calderon and her mother, Crystal Horton.

A President’s Medal, a mad dash in heels, and Friday night lights

As Denison’s softball team prepares to host the NCAC tournament, Annabelle Calderon recalls one of the most gloriously chaotic days of her life.
Owen Tekelenburg ’26

An eye for science and an ear for the banjo

Tireless Owen Tekelenburg ’26 hasn’t let a health scare slow his pursuit of a wide range of interests at Denison.
Biology professor Warren Hauk discusses living with photophobia, which hasn't prevented him from teaching classes since being diagnosed in 2018.
Denison Magazine

Through darkness, a biology professor enlightens his students

A life-altering trauma triggered Warren Hauk's extreme light sensitivity. But it didn't keep him from sharing the beauty of the natural world.
Photo of Hauk speaking with some of his teaching assistants

Through darkness, a biology professor enlightens his students

A life-altering trauma triggered Warren Hauk's extreme light sensitivity. But it didn't keep him from sharing the beauty of the natural world.
Turtle
Denison Magazine

Sharing love for tutelage, turtles

Biology professors, married to each other and their work, discuss the unique role of a shared teaching position.
Professor Eric Liebl and Hannah Swahn '16

Just follow the molecules

“Every piece of data tells us something and points to a new question,” says biologist and geneticist Eric Liebl.
Dr. Bruce Spiess '76
Where We Go

Saving Lives

For years Dr. Bruce Spiess ‘76 has been helping to save lives as an open-heart anesthesiology specialist. Today, he’s poised to save thousands.
Hanada Al-Masri, Mohamed El-Sayed, Hannah Bennet

Building Public Speaking Skills

Hannah Bennet ’21 and Mohamed El-Sayed ’20 get great public speaking experience after a course that features a lot of listening.
Arin Waechter and Rebekah Funk '20
How We Learn

Occupational Therapy job shadow gives Rebekah Funk ’20 an edge up

Rebekah Funk’s job shadowing with Kendal at Granville gave her experience and insight into a future career.
Amanda Walsh, Jeff Thompson, Rachel Reardon
How We Learn

Mentorship Matters

Senior biology students gain valuable experience during four years of guidance by Biology Professor Jeff Thompson.
Herb Porter '13
Where We Go

The Synergy of Science and Stage

Strong mentoring and great skills helped Herb Porter '13 move from a research lab onto the Broadway stage.
Bee hotel sculpture
How We Learn

Buzz on Campus

Entomology, literature, and design are fed by imagination in this cross-disciplinary student project.
SarahKoslingPeaceCorpsNepal
Where We Go

Life in Nepal

A Peace Corps volunteer shares insights from her time in Nepal.
dna-structure
How We Learn

Problem-solving in the lab

Computational science helps research gene regulation.
CeCe McGee ’15
Where We Go

Holding the Trust

As the college's 2015 recent student trustee, CeCe McGee '15 will join the board of trustees.

What's Happening

In the News

Keith Rittmaster ’79, marine mammal scientist

Rittmaster is a curator at the NC Maritime Museum and directs Bonehenge, an educational center specializing in whales.

Read more
In the News

Dr. Michelle Kahlenberg ’98 helps advance medical therapies

In her appointment to a Seismic Therapeutics Advisory Board, Kahlenberg will advise on impactful new therapies for autoimmune diseases.

Read more
Experiential Learning

Learning creative responses during a hospital internship in the Dominican Republic

John Mendez ’24, a global health and biology double major from Lawrence, Massachusetts, learned how the community can impact healthcare.

Read more
See All

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