Agnes Scott College & Berea College

Investigates the role of animal microbiomes in parasitic resistance and kin recognition. Ongoing work examines antibiotic-resistant gene transfer among bacteria within microbial communities, as well as approaches to teaching STEM disciplines.

Specializes in evolutionary ecology, focusing on how natural selection and environmental variance shape the evolution of life histories. Teaching interests include ecology, behavioral ecology, and vertebrate evolution and anatomy.

Works across microbiology, molecular and cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics, mathematical biology, biophysics, protein folding, and proteomics — bridging experimental and computational approaches to biology.

Medicinal chemistry and drug design, focusing on novel drug candidates targeting Trypanosoma cruzi tubulin for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Also investigates cytotoxic activities of naphthoquinone derivatives against prostate cancer cell lines. Holds U.S. patents related to anti-parasitic treatments.

Biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics with particular focus on investigations of the Ras signaling pathway using C. elegans as a model organism.

Research focuses on vanadium chemistry, small molecule oxidation, and catalysis — exploring how chemical compounds facilitate molecular transformations.

Organic polymer chemistry and evidence-based chemistry education, with a commitment to supporting diverse student populations pursuing health professions.

Drug discovery and development using molecular modeling to design candidates at the earliest stages. Active projects span antibiotic and antiviral development, cancer therapy, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Specializes in process-oriented guided inquiry learning (POGIL), developing POGIL materials for instrumental analytical chemistry and supplemental science resources.

Physical chemistry encompassing quantum mechanics, kinetics, thermodynamics, biophysical chemistry, surface science, and laser spectroscopy. DPhil from the University of Oxford.

Heterosexual, lesbian, and gay couples and work/relationship satisfaction in dual-income households. Additional research addresses commuting effects and positive psychology concepts such as gratitude and flow.

Investigates cognitive abilities in children, adults, and nonhuman primates, focusing on decision-making, perception, memory, metacognition, and cognitive control.

Professional identity in counseling, social justice, and multicultural issues. Scholarly work explores racial identity — particularly multiracial individuals — and color-blindness in counseling contexts. Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia.

Cognitive processes — metacognition, self-control, prospective memory, choice behavior — in human and nonhuman animals. Also studies animal welfare and informal science education. Fellow of the Psychonomic Society and APA.

Structure and function of foundational cognitive processes, such as perception, inhibitory control, and metacognition. Using cognitive tasks administered to primates, and humans, the question of how these processes can evolve across species and develop across the lifespan are investigated.

Effects of trauma on self-development using behavioral and psychophysiological methods. Explores relational schemas, attachment, and identity formation, alongside philosophical questions about selfhood and AI. Former Fellow, Grady Trauma Project (Emory).

Behavioral neuroscience with a focus on ion channels and their role in behaviors including sexual behavior and epilepsy, and the development of treatments for ion channel disorders.

Neurobiology with emphasis on the cellular and molecular aspects of neuronal cell biology. Maintains a public research website at ilovebrains.org.

Studies high-resolution spectra of stars within 100 light-years, evaluating suitability as hosts for habitable planets. Probes stellar age, activity, temperature, and metallicity. Collaborates with the RECONS group at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory.

Three published books on the science-religion intersection. Nuclear physics background (PhD, Duke) informs work on the Copernican Revolution and modern cosmology. Three fellowships from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.