My specializations are molecular virology and science education. One of my primary responsibilities is to offer the Phage Hunters Program, a national experiment in research and education funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, in which freshman students conduct authentic research to isolate, purify, amplify, and characterize a novel bacteriophage (bacterial virus).

I coordinate the biology education program that leads to P-12 teacher certification in biology. Additionally, I am the graduate coordinator for the Master of Science degree program in biology, concentrations in science education and physiology.

My areas of specialization are molecular virology and biology education.

Effect of Natural Products on Virus Replication

The focus of the research conducted in my laboratory is to investigate the effects of natural products on virus replication. Specifically, we are investigating the effects and modes of action of black tea extract, green tea extracts, and curcurmin (turmeric extract), on the infection of Sindbis virus and Herpes simplex virus I and II in cultured cells.