Dr. Michael McConnell taught biology and chemistry at PLNU from 1978 through 2018. The biology summer research program he established in 1979 has operated for over 40 consecutive summers, giving 600+ PLNU undergraduates an opportunity to engage in original research. Although now retired from teaching, McConnell continues to mentor PLNU students in summer research.
Prior to earning her doctoral degree in Math and Science Education in 2012, Dr. Jen Lineback spent 10 years teaching biology and environmental science at the high school level in schools in several different states (Connecticut, Florida, and Maryland) and overseas (Trinidad). Following the completion of her doctoral program, Dr. Lineback joined PLNU as a part-time faculty member in the biology department, transitioning into a full-time position position in the fall of 2015. Dr.
Prior to earning her doctoral degree in Math and Science Education in 2012, Dr. Jen Lineback spent 10 years teaching biology and environmental science at the high school level in schools in several different states (Connecticut, Florida, and Maryland) and overseas (Trinidad). Following the completion of her doctoral program, Dr. Lineback joined PLNU as a part-time faculty member in the biology department, transitioning into a full-time position position in the fall of 2015. Dr.
Dr. Kristopher Koudelka joined PLNU in 2014 after having taught for several years in his home state of Wisconsin. His science interests lie at the molecular level. By giving students a firm foundation in how chemical structure gives a molecule function and reactivity, they have the basis to understand any biological system. Koudelka’s research centers on the chemical modification of plant and bacteria viruses for use as drug delivery and imaging vehicles.
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 multiple upper division courses and courses in PLNU’s Masters in Biology program. 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 general education 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.
