Dr. Rebecca Flietstra has been at PLNU since 1997. She has taught several courses, including the two-semester sequence of human anatomy and physiology, vertebrate physiology, advanced human physiology, and neuroscience. She has trained as a mammalian physiologist, with particular expertise in neuroscience, reproductive physiology, and endocrinology. Her current interest is in human evolution and human health.
Dr. Mike Dorrell has been at PLNU since 2009. His expertise is in developmental and cell biology, although he teaches several courses, ranging from high school outreach programs and freshman cell biology and biochemistry to four upper division courses. His research interests include identifying novel methods of treating cancer that reduce the side effects associated with current treatment methods and studying the causes of, and potential treatments for, degenerative eye diseases.
Dr. David Cummings is a microbiologist with experience in microbial ecology, microbial physiology, and microbial genomics. In addition to microbiology courses, he teaches Introductory Cell Biology and Biochemistry as well as Neotropical Ecology, which wraps up with a two-week excursion to the rain and cloud forests of Costa Rica. His research is focused on the ways bacteria can share genetic information, especially information that makes them less susceptible to antibiotics and better suited to cause disease.
Dr. Walter Cho joined PLNU in 2012. He is a marine biologist and teaches numerous courses, including the introductory course on Ecology and Evolution, a foundational exploration course focused on Human Biology and Bioethics, a graduate seminar course, and multiple upper division marine science courses.
Dr. Dianne Anderson is the program director of PLNU's Master of Science in General Biology program, and teaches classes at the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition to her teaching, she conducts research on student learning of challenging biology concepts. The products of her research, a diagnostic test called the Conceptual Inventory of Natural Selection (CINS) and biology concept cartoons, are used by teachers, researchers, and professors in classrooms across the country.
Courtney Mayer is a practicing designer and educator bringing 25 years of experience to PLNU Art and Design. She has collaborated with businesses, institutions, and organizations to produce strategic design and branding systems across media. Her work focuses on distinguishing, positioning, and raising profiles that build brand loyalty to positively influence perceptions and emotions, leading to desired outcomes.
G. James Daichendt, Ed.D. serves as Vice-Provost for Traditional Undergraduate Studies and Dean of the Colleges, which includes the College of Arts & Humanities and the College of Natural and Social Sciences. He is the author of the following books: Robbie Conal: Streetwise: 35 Years of Politically Charged Guerrilla Art (2020); The Urban Canvas: Street Art Around the World (2017); Kenny Scharf: In Absence of Myth (2016); Shepard Fairey Inc: Artist/Professional/Vandal (2014); Stay Up!
Lael Corbin is a native San Diegan whose work consists of sculpture, photography, and site-specific installation. His current work has been exploring his interest in workspaces. He views these spaces as a place where the evidence of manufacturing processes, the beauty of raw materials, and the tension between organization and chaos blend together with dreams, fragments of information, memory, and competing timelines to create an experience that is complex and stimulating.
David Adey is a practicing artist and designer. He began his career in graphic design and branding working for clients such as Intel, Pepsi, Nike, Qualcomm, Taylor Guitars, Hasbro, and many others. His art is informed by this experience, and his recent cut-paper works explore the fraught intersection between our physical bodies and the increasingly digitized world they inhabit.
