{"id":80,"date":"2017-10-23T16:15:52","date_gmt":"2017-10-23T16:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/?page_id=80"},"modified":"2022-08-26T15:27:40","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T19:27:40","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our department is made up of highly skilled faculty with national and international recognition as researchers in their fields. Information about their research areas can be found below, or the faculty’s individual websites. Our faculty conduct research on campus in many different facilities: the\u00a0Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Laboratory<\/a>, the\u00a0Institute for Sustainability Studies<\/a>, and the\u00a0New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology<\/a>. Our reach extends beyond the campus in diverse locations both nearby and abroad in Ireland and St. Johns.<\/p>\n

Faculty Research Interests<\/h2>\n

\n\n\n<\/p>

\"Matthew<\/div>

Matthew Aardema<\/a><\/p>

Associate Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-3584<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
aardemam@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Ecology and evolution of arthropod vectors & arthropod-vectored pathogens (predominately Anaplasma phagocytophilum); comparative genomics & convergent evolution, Phylogeography of the Culex pipiens mosquito complex<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Sandra<\/div>

Sandra Adams<\/a><\/p>

Adjunct Instructor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-7527<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
adamssa@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
My areas of specialization are molecular virology, molecular biology, and biology education.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Kevin<\/div>

Kevin Bilyk<\/a><\/p>

Assistant Professor<\/p>

Email<\/dt>
bilykk@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Genomics and physiology of life in the cryosphere <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Paul<\/div>

Paul Bologna<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-4112<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
bolognap@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Seagrass Ecosystems: New Jersey and in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Stinging Sea Nettles: Population Biology and Impacts on food webs in New Jersey
Invasive Jellyfish in New Jersey
Review of current projects and research interests can be found here.

https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Paul_Bologna<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"James<\/div>

James Campanella<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-4097<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
campanellj@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Molecular genetics, Population genetics, phylogenetics, and molecular evolution.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Charles<\/div>

Charles Du<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-4405<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
duc@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Bioinformatics, Evolutionary Genomics<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Colette<\/div>

Colette Feehan<\/a><\/p>

Associate Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-4248<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
feehanc@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Marine ecosystems; Host-pathogen interactions; Predator-prey interactions; Disease ecology; Climate-change ecology<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Reginald<\/div>

Reginald Halaby<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-7982<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
halabyr@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Induction of lysosomal-mediated apoptosis in chemoresistant human breast and prostate cancer cells using triptolide (Thunder God Vine), a Chinese herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over two centuries. We have demonstrated that triptolide's apoptotic abilities are due, in part, to it being a lysosomotropic agent.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Lisa<\/div>

Lisa Hazard<\/a><\/p>

Associate Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-3418<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
hazardl@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Conservation physiology and physiological ecology
Reptile and amphibian physiology, ecology, and natural history (emphasis on northeastern and southwestern U.S. fauna)<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Julian<\/div>

Julian Keenan<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Email<\/dt>
keenanj@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Neuroimaging
Self-awareness and theory of mind
Deception and deception detection
Evolutionary cognitive neuroscience<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Jennifer<\/div>

Jennifer Krumins<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Email<\/dt>
kruminsj@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Microbial Ecology
Biodiversity
Food web ecology<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Robert<\/div>

Robert Meredith<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-7800<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
meredithr@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Vertebrate evolution, phylogenetics, bristletail evolution, molecular and morphological systematics including the incorporation of extinct organisms, paleontology\/paleobiology, biogeography, molecular dating, molecular evolution with particular interest in teeth, olfactory, and eye genes, pseudogene evolution, morphological evolution<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Carlos<\/div>

Carlos Molina<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-3302<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
molinac@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd>
Location<\/dt>
Center for Environmental & Life Sciences, 400<\/dd><\/dl>
Cancer Research
Biology of Reproduction<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Kirsten<\/div>

Kirsten Monsen<\/a><\/p>

Associate Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-7788<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
monsenk@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Conservation Genetics
Molecular Ecology
Wildlife Disease<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Elena<\/div>

Elena Petroff<\/a><\/p>

Chairperson<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-2027<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
petroffe@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Molecular Neuroscience
Ion Channel Physiology<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Matthew<\/div>

Matthew Schuler<\/a><\/p>

Associate Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-7191<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
schulerm@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Community ecology
Freshwater biology
Limnology
Physiological ecology
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"John<\/div>

John Smallwood<\/a><\/p>

Associate Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-5345<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
smallwoodj@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Ornithology, ecology, animal behavior, conservation biology.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Quinn<\/div>

Quinn Vega<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-7178<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
vegaq@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
Dr. Vega's research focus has been on cellular signal transduction and the mechanisms by which cells respond to external environmental and biochemical clues by activating specific molecular signals and activate transcription of specific genes. While his work has traditionally been in the field of mammalian cell signaling, including the study of cellular receptors and co-receptors, Dr. Vega has expanded his research to look at the bacteriophage life cycle and how these signals work at the microbial level. <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Dirk<\/div>

Dirk Vanderklein<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-5265<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
vanderkleid@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd><\/dl>
My research focuses on how plants grow in the environmental conditions they live in and how plants affect the environment that they live in. Currently, my research is concentrating on these areas: the impact of Japanese knotweed (an invasive plant) on our water supply, what is the status of the street trees in Montclair, NJ, carbon cycling in forested areas at Duke Farms, and how to help first-year first-generation students succeed in science and college. The Japanese knotweed research is in collaboration with Dr. Josh Galster of the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies. The carbon cycling work is in collaboration with Dr. Karina Sch\u00e4fer at Rutgers University-Newark. All of this work has involved and continues to involve undergraduate and graduate students. Our results from the knotweed work suggest that for some of our local streams, Japanese knotweed is removing as much as 9% of our water supply during the summer months. Given that we are already experiencing water shortages in northern New Jersey, this additional loss of water is very worrisome. We are currently trying to understand the impact of this plant at the watershed scale. The rest of the research is too new to have any meaningful results.

I mostly teach BIOL113 (Principles of Biology 2), BIOL213 (Introduction to Ecology), and BIOL425\/520 (Plant physiology). In addition, the last several years I have been teaching CSAM101 (Science Matters). In my teaching I try to engage students in their learning. My goal is to have students become fully engaged in their learning so that they go beyond rote learning and instead try to achieve deep learning (i.e. true understanding). I try to achieve this through a combination of in-class exercises, group projects out of class, hands-on learning in lab, and student reflection pieces in class. I believe that making lectures entertaining and showing students how the information is relevant to their lives helps them become and stay engaged. My exams are not multiple-choice. My exams are essay style and I ask students to demonstrate that they can apply what has been covered in class to a novel situation.
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\"Meiyin<\/div>

Meiyin Wu<\/a><\/p>

Professor<\/p>

Phone<\/dt>
973-655-7117<\/a><\/dd>
Email<\/dt>
wum@montclair.edu<\/a><\/dd>
Location<\/dt>
Center for Environmental & Life Sciences, 300<\/dd><\/dl>
Dr. Wu\u2019s research focuses on human impacts on aquatic ecosystems, such as impacts of urban development on lakes, rivers and watersheds. Wu\u2019s team studies water quality, emergent contaminants, invasive species, hydrology, geomorphology, erosion, pathogen indicators, aquatic biota, and riparian wetlands. This research extends to harmful algal blooms, invasive control, watershed management, nonpoint source pollution reduction, storm water management and habitat connectivity.

Her research emphasizes on sustaining biodiversity via rebuilding habitat connectivity and controlling water pollutions including invasive species. Due to high human population density and dense urban development, wildlife habitats are fragmented and\/or destroyed. Extensive road network has been shown to create complete barriers to wildlife movement and cause mortality of wildlife. Dr. Wu\u2019s research identifies and prioritizes wildlife crossing\/mortality hotspots for mitigation planning to restore habitat connectivity and for the long-term persistence of wildlife species.
Species invasion is a global environmental problem associated with increasing human activity, which causes significant global ecological and economic consequences. Dr. Wu\u2019s research examines the impacts of invasive species at population, community and ecosystem levels, efficacies of invasive management strategies, as well as development of new technologies to control invasive populations.

Dr. Wu's current research agenda includes harmful algal blooms management. While phytoplankton play an important role as the primary producers in a balanced ecosystem, too much of a good thing can be very harmful. Harmful algal blooms (HABs), or the excessive growth of various species of phytoplankton, protists, cyanobacteria, and macro\/benthic algae in waters, are of growing international concern. Under the right conditions HABs can occur, some of which produce cyanotoxins that pose health risks to both animals and humans. The increase of HABs is a global challenge which severely impacts our public health and economy. New Jersey has seen significant increases in cyanobacterial HABs that produce cyanotoxins, which can be dangerous for humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife. Wu's team investigate potential impacts of climate change on HABs, examine HAB\u2019s health impacts on human and other biota, idetnfiy environmental triggers for HABs, and develop novel technologies for HAB management.

Globally, wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. Dr. Wu\u2019s research interests extend to wetland ecology, management, restoration, and impacts of global climate change on wetlands. Scientific evidence suggests that anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are having a discernible effect on the global climate, including acceleration of global temperature and sea-level rise. Dr. Wu\u2019s research studies the role of wetlands in global climate change. Do wetlands produce a surplus of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere or retain them? Are wetlands acting as carbon sinks or carbon sources? Should wetland construction be used in exchange for carbon credits? Moreover, with sea-level rise, there could be substantial loss of floodplain and coastal wetlands. Conversely, many terrestrial ecosystems today may be flooded and become wetlands in the future. Invasive species, insects and pathogens may increase their competitive ability, expand their distribution ranges and move poleward, outcompete native species and occupy the newly developed wetlands. Dr. Wu\u2019s research investigates the impacts of global climate change on wetland distribution, biogeochemical cycles, structure and dynamics, and ecosystem functions and services.

For more information on her research, please visit https:\/\/sites.google.com\/view\/wulab\/<\/a>.

For more information on water quality analysis, please visit https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/water-science\/environmental-services\/<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n

The Department of Biology is housed in Science Hall, a facility that includes well-equipped research laboratories, teaching laboratories and prep rooms, a greenhouse, and faculty\/staff offices. Research is funded by agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF)<\/a>, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)<\/a>, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)<\/a>, SeaGrant<\/a>, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)<\/a>. It’s important to know the safety protocols when in the lab<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Student Research Opportunities<\/h2>\n

As a student in our department, you have many opportunities to pursue independent scientific research with faculty members. The first step is to find faculty members that are doing research exciting to you. Contact and visit those faculty members you find interesting – you might get a chance to conduct exciting and novel experiments with them!<\/p>\n

Undergraduates can get academic credit for independent research by enrolling in\u00a0Biology Independent Research (BIOL-418).<\/em> Alternatively, utilize Externship in Biological Research (BIOL-409)<\/em> for real-world career experience in addition to research credit. You can also participate in research through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)<\/a> program.<\/p>\n

Graduate students can take\u00a0Introduction to Biological Research\u00a0(BIOL-599)<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0Master’s Thesis (BIOL-698)<\/em>. Both involve independent research under the direction of a\u00a0faculty member<\/a>; the thesis involves a longer, more in-depth research experience. Graduate students in our programs are strongly encouraged to conduct thesis research.<\/p>\n

Scholarships may be available to support students conducting research; see our\u00a0scholarship page<\/a>\u00a0to see available scholarships. Student researchers have the opportunity to present their findings at local, regional, national and even international research conferences. They have also authored and co-authored papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our department is made up of highly skilled faculty with national and international recognition as researchers in their fields. Information about their research areas can be found below, or the faculty’s individual websites. Our faculty conduct research on campus in many different facilities: the\u00a0Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Laboratory, the\u00a0Institute for Sustainability Studies, and the\u00a0New Jersey […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":261,"parent":0,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-80","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207633,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80\/revisions\/207633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}