Dr. Diane Boyd is the Associate Dean of Faculty Development and the Executive Director of the Faculty Development Center at Furman University in Greenville, SC. In this role she collaborates with colleagues locally and regionally to create support structures for ongoing professional development of faculty and academic staff. Prior to rejoining the faculty at Furman, Boyd was the Director of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at Auburn University, where she led a campus-wide course redesign initiative to prepare instructors at all ranks for inclusive, active learning-infused teaching to maximize student learning and success. Her most recent scholarly publications focus on learning improvement, cognitive science and active learning, the intersection of faculty vitality and student success, and learner mindset and motivation.
Dr. Dena P. Garner is a professor of exercise science at The Citadel. Her training at The University of South Carolina, Oregon State University and The Medical University of South Carolina was in the fields of muscle physiology, electrophysiology and neurology. At The Medical University of South Carolina, she obtained a post-doctoral fellowship in the area of neurological effects of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (rat model of multiple sclerosis) on retinal ganglion cells. At The Citadel her research has concentrated on the use of mouthpiece during performance, with studies that have focused on reaction time, lactate, cortisol, and oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. In addition to research in the area of mouthpiece use and effect on human performance, Dr. Garner is involved in two research studies regarding testing and evaluating physiologic neuro-assessment devices in healthy versus traumatic brain injury populations. Related to this research she was awarded a multi-year grant from the Henry Jackson Foundation to assess neurologic assessment devices in healthy populations. Currently Dr. Garner is the director of the Human Performance Laboratory at The Citadel. In addition, she is the Assistant Provost for Research and Policy and serves as the director of the Undergraduate Research Office at The Citadel.
Dr. Loretta Jackson-Hayes is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Rhodes College and also serves as the Director for Scholarly and Creative Activity Mentoring within the Office of Faculty Development. She earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Jackson-Hayes has published scientific papers with undergraduate students as co-authors and her research has been supported by over 1 million dollars in grant funding from Research Corporation, the Merck Company Foundation, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Jackson-Hayes is a national spokesperson for STEM education, particularly within the liberal arts environment publishing a Washington Post op-ed and delivering a TEDX Talk on the subject. She is a 2016 alumna of the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Institute. Dr. Jackson-Hayes is a proud native of Coldwater, MS, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Ken, son, Kendel (16 years), and daughter Naomi (6 years).
Dr. Nicole L. Snyder is the Assistant Dean for Research and Creative Works and Professor of Chemistry at Davidson College. In her role as Assistant Dean, she assists faculty and students in identifying resources to support their research and creative endeavors. She also serves as the Chair of both the Faculty and Student Study and Research Committees which award nearly a half a million dollars annually to support faculty and student work. In addition to her administrative role, Snyder teaches courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry, immunology and pharmacology. She also runs a federally funded research program that is currently supported by the NIH and NSF, including an NSF-IRES grant which provides opportunities for students to travel to Düsseldorf, Germany to conduct collaborative polymer research. She earned B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Biology from Westminster College, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut. She enjoys travel and hiking.
Dr. Alice H. Suroviec is the Dean of Mathematical and Natural Sciences and Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry at Berry College. She earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Virginia Tech. Dr. Suroviec area of research expertise is in enzymatically modified electrodes and is an associate editor for the Journal of the Electrochemical Society. In her time as Dean, Berry College received a $700,000 NSF S-STEM grant focused on increasing the underrepresented students in STEM majors. Along with another dean she oversees Berry College’s Institutional Effectiveness and is part of the SACSCOC accreditation team. She has attended the AAC&U PKAL institute and is currently a member of the CIC Senior Leadership Academy.
Dr. Sarah Boyle is an Associate Professor in Biology and Chair of the Environmental Studies and Sciences Program at Rhodes College. She earned her doctorate in Biology from Arizona State University. Boyle studies how habitat loss and fragmentation impact the ecology, behavior, and conservation of species. Her research primarily focuses on species in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest of South America. At Rhodes College, Boyle serves as chair of the faculty Diversity and Equity Committee, is the faculty supervisor of the GIS Lab, and the campus liaison for the research-based partnership between Rhodes College and the Memphis Zoo. She also serves on the Urban Studies and the Latin America and Latinx Studies academic program committees. Boyle is interested in providing all students with opportunities to pursue their academic and professional interests. Her favorite activity is camping with her family.
Dr. Jessica Reichmuth PhD, is currently an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Augusta University. Additionally, she is the first Associate Director of the Honors Program. Jessica graduated with two BS degrees from Coastal Carolina University in 2001 (Marine Science) and 2002 (Biology); it was her own undergraduate research experience that pushed her to pursue graduate programs. Jessica’s MS and PhD are from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where she gained training in ecotoxicology, population genetics, and marine ecology. Dr. R (as her students call her)teaches ecology-related courses, has led several successful study abroad courses, and leads an active undergraduate research program, which led to successful external funding and student awards at local, regional, and national/international meetings. Jessica was acknowledged as the Outstanding Young Faculty Member Award in the College of Science and Mathematics (CoSM), and most recently, was recognized as the CoSM Outstanding Faculty Member.
Dr. Margaret Smith is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of North Georgia (UNG) in Dahlonega Georgia. She has been at UNG for about 9 years where she spends a majority of her time teaching. She enjoys teaching a range of class in a variety of formats from from introductory classes for non-science majors taught online to upper level, face-to-face classes for Biology majors. Dr. Smith is also part of a team of faculty that teaches transdisciplinary STEM lab classes, spanning Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math. She also is very actively involved in undergraduate research as a high impact teaching practice in and outside of the classroom. Dr. Smith earned her Ph.D. at Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana. When not teaching, she enjoys reading, being a Girl Scout leader, and playing outside with her two young daughters and husband.
Dr. J. Megan Steinweg is currently an Associate Professor of Biology at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. She has been at Roanoke College for five years and splits her time between teaching and research. Her teaching responsibilities include introductory biology courses, microbiology, soil ecology, and non-major’s science courses. She enjoys conducting field and lab based research with undergraduate students in the areas of soil microbial responses to disturbance and tick borne disease prevalence in southwest Virginia. Dr. Steinweg earned her BS in Biology at Appalachian State University and her MS and PhD in Ecology at Colorado State University.
Dr. Jessica Wooten is currently an Associate Professor of Biology at Piedmont College in Demorest where she teaches a variety of courses in introductory biology, genetics, medical genetics, and comparative physiology. She enjoys conducting independent research with her undergraduate students to gain a better understanding of the molecular evolution in plethodontid salamanders. Following earning a B.S. and M.S. in Biological Sciences at Marshall University (Huntington, West Virginia), she earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama).
Dr. Holly Bevsek is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at The Citadel. She earned her BS in Chemistry at Marquette University and her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. Most recently she was the Head of the Department of Chemistry where she guided the department’s role in a new general education program. She has taught courses in physical chemistry, spectroscopy, general chemistry, and a freshman seminar course in pseudoscience. Her research interests are in astrochemistry, kinetics, and chemical education.
Dr. Meghan Blackledge is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at High Point University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biological Chemistry and English from Wellesley College in 2005 and her PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry from Duke in 2011. After completing her postdoc at NC State University, she joined the Department of Chemistry at High Point University in 2014. Dr. Blackledge primarily teaches courses in organic and medicinal chemistry and scientific communication. In 2018, Dr. Blackledge was the recipient of the Meredith Clark Slane Distinguished Teaching-Service Award at High Point University. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Blackledge has mentored over 20 students in her lab, which focuses on the synthesis and evaluation of small molecules that combat bacterial biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. She is the PI of an NIH-AREA grant to study antibiotic resistance in S. aureus and the co-PI on an NSF-MRI grant to obtain an NMR.
Dr. Karen Buchmueller is an Associate Professor in Chemistry at Furman University. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Buchmueller joined the faculty at Furman in 2007 and was the first Biochemist hired within the Chemistry department at Furman. Dr. Buchmueller enjoys sharing her passion for Biochemistry with students in her classes and in her research lab. In addition to her teaching and research endeavors, she is the PI for the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Furman and a member and former chair of the Chemistry NSF-REU Leadership Group, which champions Chemistry REU programs across the country.
Dr. Bethel Seballos is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Biochemistry major program at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. She received her B.S. in biochemistry at the University of Southern Mississippi, and her Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. She teaches introductory and advanced courses as well as courses for non-majors, including forensic chemistry. Her research projects at Sewanee are focused on the impact of oxidative stress on connective tissue and developing sensors for the detection of toxins. When she is not working with the Sewanee Chemistry Club or doing science outreach in the local schools, she explores the outdoors with her family and their trusty terrier.
Dr. Meredith Storms is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNC Pembroke). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from UNC Pembroke in 1997 and her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Georgia in 2002. Dr. Storms joined UNC Pembroke in 2002. She primarily teaches general chemistry, forensic chemistry, and scientific literature. She has developed and taught numerous special topics courses for the graduate science education program which include Modern Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Equilibrium in Chemical Reactions. Dr. Storms has mentored over 30 undergraduate research students. Her research mostly involves the use of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to assay drugs in a variety of dosage forms and biological matrices with applications relevant to toxicology and the pharmaceutical sciences. With an interest in community outreach, Dr. Storms has coordinated multiple outreach events in collaboration with the local section of the American Chemical Society and various student organizations at UNC Pembroke.
Dr. Erin Bodine is an Associate Professor and the Associate Chair of Mathematics at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. Bodine earned her PhD in Mathematics (concentration in Mathematical Ecology) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2010. Bodine’s current research uses difference equations, differential equations, and agent-based models to analyze and simulate the dynamics of a diverse set of systems: conservation of endangered species populations, treatment of cancer, spread of infectious diseases within a population, and reproductive effort and success in plants. Bodine regularly works with 2-8 undergraduates each year on a variety of biomathematics research projects. In 2013, Bodine spearheaded the creation of a Biomathematics major at Rhodes. In 2014, Bodine published the undergraduate textbook Mathematics for Life Sciences with coauthors Lenhart & Gross. Bodine, her husband (a non-academic), and two daughters love living in Memphis and canoeing the local Wolf River.
Dr. Jill Cochran is an Associate Professor at Berry College in northwest Georgia. She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Texas State University in San Marcos. She is a strong advocate for mathematics education at all levels, often involving her students in research projects and offering professional development opportunities for local teachers. Under her leadership, the STEMTeach program at Berry College was developed as an apprenticeship program for undergraduate pre-service math and science teachers as well as collaborative professional development with mentor teachers. As PI, Dr. Cochran secured funding for this program through an NSF Noyce grant in 2018. In addition to promoting STEM education through her teaching, research and community engagement, Dr. Cochran is also significantly interested in faculty development in higher education, having chaired both Berry College’s Faculty Development and Promotion and Tenure Committees as well as serving as chair of her own department.
Dr. Breeanne Swart is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at The Citadel. She earned her MS and PhD at Lehigh University in 2009 and 2013, respectively. Her research interests include graph theory and number theory, and she often is working with students in these areas. Her students present their work at local and regional conferences and some projects are published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Swart enjoys working with students inside the classroom as well and trying new pedagogical techniques to increase student success, including flipping the classroom and active learning. Dr. Swart participates in the Faculty Emerging Leaders Development Program at The Citadel where she is working on her leadership skills to prepare for future roles on campus as well as in the discipline.
Dr. Andrea Tartaro is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Furman University in Greenville, SC. She earned her Ph.D. in Technology and Social Behavior, a joint Ph.D. in Computer Science and Communication Studies, at Northwestern University and her B.A. in Computer Science at Brown University. Dr. Tartaro is a proponent of undergraduate research experiences and expanding the role of computer science as a liberal arts discipline. Towards these goals, she is Chair of the Math and Computer Science division for the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), Division Editor for CUR’s Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research journal, and co-director of the Computing in Community at Furman program, which funds faculty-student research collaborations between Computer Science and other disciplines. Dr. Tartaro conducts human-centered design research to support education and behavior change, and has worked with over 30 undergraduate students as well as collaborators in History, Communication Studies, Chemistry, Biology, and Psychology.
Dr. Carolyn Martsberger is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Wofford College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the College of the Holy Cross, a PhD in Physics from Duke University with a Certificate in Translational Medicine from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychocardiology at Duke University Medical Center. Her work focuses on understanding the nonlinear phenomena that promote irregular rhythms in cardiac tissue. She also conducts dual brain and heart studies in humans to understand fitness. Furthermore, she has been involved in projects related to alternative forms of energy, a study of the undergraduate mentor-mentee model, and projects that promote science in creative ways, such as a children’s book about quantum mechanics and local community outreach. She received an Excellence in Teaching Award while at Loyola University Chicago, the Clare Boothe Luce Award and the Nugent Gold Medal for Excellence in Physics.
Dr. Dimitra Michalaka, P.E. – is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Associate Director for the Center for Connected Multimodal Mobility (C2M2). Dr. Michalaka received her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), after which she entered into the transportation engineering graduate program at University of Florida. She graduated with a M.S. in 2009 and with a Ph.D. in 2012. Her research is primarily focused on traffic operations, congestion pricing, traffic simulation, and engineering education. Dr. Michalaka has organized and participated in numerous research, workforce development and outreach activities, and has offered webinars and hands-on workshops to transportation engineering professionals, teachers, professors and others. Dr. Michalaka has been serving as Society of Women Engineers and Institute of Transportation (ITE) Engineers faculty advisor for more than 5 years and she is the South Carolina ITE section representative. She has received various awards including the SC young civil engineer of the year and The Citadel new faculty excellence award. Dr. Michalaka is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of South Carolina since 2016.
Dr. Jacquelyn K. Nagel is Assistant Department Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering at James Madison University. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University, and her M.S. and B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering and Electrical Engineering, respectively, from Missouri University of Science & Technology. As a multidiscipline engineer her diverse areas of expertise are mechatronic systems, manufacturing automation, engineering education, and bio-inspired design (BID). She was the PI for a collaborative NSF grant focused on evidence-based, instructional resources for teaching BID. Dr. Nagel is internationally known for her BID process and pedagogy research and has given invited talks/webinars/lectures to SWE, INCOSE, NASA, and at universities in Canada, France, and USA. Dr. Nagel’s research and leadership achievements were recognized when chosen by IEEE-USA for the New Faces of Engineering in 2012, and the Society of Women Engineers for the Distinguished New Engineer Award in 2016.
Dr. Tennille D. Presley Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Physics at Winston Salem State University. She obtained her B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Physics from North Carolina A & T State University, and acquired her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biophysics from The Ohio State University. Dr. Presley has received numerous internal, as well as external grants from both NSF and NIH. She was a scholar in the NIH Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged (PRIDE) in Health-Related Research, Visiting Faculty at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and a recipient of the Buckeyes Under 40 Award. Dr. Presley also served as a U.S. Delegate for the International Conference on Women in Physics. She has an extensive record of national and international presentations, highlighting her scientific research and experience in biophysics, mentorship, advocacy and integrative learning. Dr. Presley has published over a dozen articles in free-radical research, and is the author of the book: “Biophysics of the Senses”.
Dr. Yanjun Yan is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering + Technology at Western Carolina University (WCU). She earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University. She joined WCU in fall 2013. She proposed a travel course and led students on the first faculty-led trip in the College of Engineering and Technology and inspired other colleagues to follow suit. She collaborated with a professor in the Art department to offer the first Service-Learning Courses in both Colleges. Both the service-learning project and the student projects from both classes were on an exhibit for the public. Dr. Yan has been the PI or co-PI of multiple external and internal grants, including an NSF S-STEM grant, yielding 40+ publications since 2013. She was the recipient of the WCU Hunter Scholar Award in 2015 (one per year at WCU), and multiple awards on research, teaching, and service from the College.