University of Central Arkansas

UCA biologists engage in a wide range of research activities,  from studies related to cancer treatment to studies of ecological relationships in Arkansas streams. Virtually all faculty research projects engage students in a wide variety of activities. Faculty supervise student research projects and much of the equipment and instrumentation obtained through faculty projects is also available to students. Faculty members in the Department of Biology are active in securing grant and contract funds to support their research activities, as well as to enhance the department's teaching capabilities. Current or recent grants have been obtained from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. National Park Service, and the American Heart Association, as well as from various state and local organizations.

Complete the Undergraduate Research form and submit to Dr. Ben Rowley browley@uca.edu to have credit count as upper division Biology elective.

Ginny Adams - Assistant Professor Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, 2005. Conservation Biology, Evolutionary  Ecology Research Specialty: Fish Ecology, Streams, Caves. Advising Specialty: Environmental Science Program Coordinator

Reid Adams - Assistant Professor Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, 2004. Freshwater Ecology Research Specialty: River Ecology/Fish Biology

Mark Bland - Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado, 2004. Science Education Research Specialty: Evolution Education

John S. Choinski, Jr -Professor Ph.D., Arizona State University, 1978. Botany Research Specialty: Plant Ecophysiology/Photosynthesis and Leaf Development

Barbara Clancy - Associate Professor Ph.,D., University of Texas at Dallas, 1996. Neuroscience Research Specialty: Neural Systems and Development, Neuroinformatics

David Dussourd - Professor Ph.D., Cornell University, 1986. Animal Behavior/Entomology Research Specialty: Insect-plant interactions Advising Specialty: Graduate Coordinator

Sally Entrekin - Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 2008. Restoration Ecology and Invertebrate Zoology Research Specialty: Stream Restoration/Aquatic Ecology

Zaida Gomez-Kramer - Lecturer II D.A., Catholic University of America, 1990. General and Medical Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, General Biology Advising Specialty: Pre-Medical (Pre-Professional) and General Biology

Kristine Hicks - Visiting Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1992. Pharmacology and Toxicology

Brent Hill - Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of Missouri, Columbia, 2000. Vertebrate Physiology Research Specialty: Cardiovascular  physiology/pharmacology/sex hormones Advising Specialty: Pre-Veterinary

Marc Hirrel - Lecturer II Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1980. Plant Pathology and Mycology Research Specialty: Conservation Education State Coordinator for the Leopold Education Project

Leah Horton - Lecturer I M.S., Emory University, 1999. Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental   Biology Advising Specialty: Undergraduate  Coordinator

Katherine Larson - Associate Professor Ph.D., Northern Arizona University, 1989. Ecology Research Specialty: Invasive species and restoration Advising Specialty: Environmental Science

Michael Martin - Lecturer II M.D., Louisiana State University School of Medicine, 1993. Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathology Advising Specialty: Pre-Medical

M. Victoria McDonald - Associate  Professor Ph.D., University of Florida, 1986. Behavioral and evolutionary ecology of birds and mammals; Vertebrate Zoology

Jeff Miller - Visiting Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of New England, 1982. Animal Ecology and Physiology

Jerry Mimms  - Lecturer II. M.S.E., University of Central Arkansas, 1977. Science Education

Mike Moran - Associate Professor Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1982. Animal Physiology Research Specialty: Epithelial Nutrient Transport Advising Specialty: Pre-Dental

Kari Naylor - Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 2004. Microbiology/Cell Biology Research Specialty: Mitochondrial dynamics Advising Specialty: Pre-Optometry

Richard Noyes - Assistant Professor Ph.D., Indiana University, 1999. Evolutionary Biology/Genetics Research Specialty: Plant genetics and  evolution

Jeffrey Padberg - Assistant Professor Ph.D., Tulane University, 2002. Neuroscience Research Specialty: Comparative Neurobiology

Krista Peppers - Lecturer I Ph.D., University of Arkansas, 2004. Conservation Biology

Ben Rowley - Assistant Professor Ph.D., Temple University, 2004. Immunology /Microbiology Research Specialty: Heavy metal-induced immune system alterations.

Steven Runge - Professor and Chair Ph.D., Ohio State University, 1991. Biochemistry / Molecular Biology Research Specialty: Cell death/cancer

David Starkey - Assistant Professor Ph.D., Texas A & M University, 1997. Genetics/Evolutionary Biology Research Specialty: Reptile and fungal population genetics

JD Swanson - Assistant Professor Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2005. Developmental  and Systems Biology Research Specialty: Cell to cell communication using plant systems

Benjamin Waggoner - Assistant  Professor Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, 1997. Invertebrate Paleontology and  Macroevolution

Roger Wainwright - Lecturer I M.H.S.A., University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 1988. Human Biology and Microbiology

Laurie Warren - Lecturer I Ph.D., Clemson University, 1996. Environmental Toxicology Research Specialty: Aquatic Toxicology, invertebrates Advising Specialty: Environmental Science

David Zehr - Associate Professor Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1976. Histology and Anatomy Advising Specialty: Pre-Medical

Faculty Expectations for New Student Researchers listed below are the minimum requirements for each faculty mentor.  However, there may be more requirements for any particular research assignment.  You should talk to the faculty mentor with whom you are interested in conducting research for more information on any additional requirements