Research Projects Physiology of HSP110 HSP110 is one of the stress proteins which cells express to protect them from harmful environmental conditions. Although, HSP110 has been characterized at the cellular and molecular level, its role at the organismal level is less clear. In collaboration with Dr. Easton, my lab is investigating its role in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. In initial experiments reducing expression of HSP110, we have observed a number of defects at the organismal level, including decreased lifespan, defective egg laying and reduced thermotolerance. Nematode Behavior Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism for studying the genetics of behavior and a wide range of behavioral mutants have been isolated. My laboratory is focusing on characterizing two aspects of the chemotaxis response of Caenorhabditis elegans. We are interested in plasticity of the negative chemotaxis response and the role of chemotaxis in prey acquisition. Scholarship of Teaching Teaching and learning is central to Buffalo State’s mission and most of my scholarly work the last few years has revolved around the scholarship of teaching. Much of that work is contained in the course links to the right. My two most recent projects have involved the development of a web based resource, “Genetics Problem Spaces” to support independent research projects in BIO303 and the development of an new introductory course in cell biology, BIO211.

Courses BIO100 Principles of Biology BIO601 Foundations of Cell and Mol Biol BIO305 Molecular Biology BIO211 Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics