Neuroscience Faculty
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program supported by enthusiastic faculty using innovative teaching methods and leading undergraduate research teams investigating a wide range of questions in neuroscience and related fields. In addition to the neuroscience faculty listed below, several others in supporting departments contribute courses to the Neuroscience Program.
Department of Biology
B.S., M.S., Ph.D., University of North Dakota
I am an anatomist and cell biologist who focuses on identifying and understanding the changes in the aging mammalian brain that reduce their ability to recover from injury. We use a rodent model and perform stereotaxic surgeries, Western blots, and immunohistochemical analyses to characterize proteins within the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SON), which is a small collection of cells in the brain that retains plasticity not typically present after early brain development. I teach Cell Biology, Advanced Cell Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Neuroanatomy, Histology, and special topics courses. I love to play golf in my free time, and I play/watch/talk about pretty much any sport.
Provost and Dean of the College
Department of Psychology
B.A. University of Manitoba Ph.D. McMaster University
I have been Dean of the College since 2019 and became Provost in 2021. I have been involved in the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), including serving as President from 2016-2017. I continue to facilitate CUR institutes. As faculty in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Women’s and Gender Studies, I taught Research Methods and Learning and Behavior. Both emphasized course-embedded research. I especially enjoyed working with students in the lab studying rodent learning and behavior, and on scholarship of teaching and learning projects investigating gender and student participation in the classroom, and the integration of undergraduate research in a Behavior Modification course. During the fall interim, I teach a hands-on rat behavior course. I enjoy curling, nature walks, and travelling.
Chair, Department of Chemistry
B.S. Chemistry, Biology,
Mayville State University
Ph.D. Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Kansas
I am interested in biochemistry and pharmacology, specifically cell signaling. I also enjoy supervising undergraduate student research in biochemistry involving the study of proteins with known structure but unknown function. I teach Survey of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry; Biochemistry, Neurochemistry and Pharmacology. I am a big sports fan and love to watch and follow my favorite teams, especially Kansas Jayhawks! I also enjoy spending time at the lake and relaxing in the sun reading a good book.
Department of Psychology
B.A., M.A. – University of Northern Iowa
Ph.D. – University of Nevada, Reno
Postdoctoral Fellowship – University of Missouri
I am a cognitive psychologist specializing in research exploring visual working memory processes using both behavioral and neuroscience techniques. In addition to conducting human memory research with students in my laboratory, I frequently review manuscripts submitted for peer-review for variety of journals within the areas of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience. I teach a variety of courses, including The Human Mind, Cognitive Psychology, Perception, Research Methods in Psychology, Psychological Statistics & Measurement, Introductory Psychology, and Senior Seminars in both Psychology and Neuroscience. I am currently a member of the Institutional Review Board at Concordia College.
Department of Biology
Director, Neuroscience Program
B.A. Concordia College
M.B.S. Biotechnology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Ph.D. Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
I am a neuroscientist who studies the effects of environmental enrichment on gene expression and behavior in zebrafish. I particularly enjoy collaborative, interdisciplinary research, including the intersections of neuroscience and space exploration, biomedical innovations, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. I teach Introduction to Neuroscience, Neurobiology, special topics courses in neuroscience, and Cell Biology. I am the Director of National Fellowship and Director of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA). I mentor students in the Innovations Scholars Program, Concordia Neuroscience Society, Nu Rho Psi, Exotic Animal Care and Husbandry internships, and Greenhouse internship. In my free time, I like to jog, curl, garden, knit and crochet, and work on old cars.
B.A. Chemistry, Mathematics, Concordia College
Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, Cornell University
I am a physical chemist with research interests in two separate areas: Spectroscopy and Applied Mathematics. In spectroscopy, my interests lie in understanding ultrafast dynamics of molecular liquids. In applied mathematics my interests range across complex analysis, group theory, and geometry. The courses I teach are Physical Chemistry, Physical Neuroscience, Advanced Mathematics for Theoretical Chemistry, General Chemistry, and General Physics. Visit my website.