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If you wish, you can just browse the below logbook of your fellow alumni or if you have a special request for the Biology Department, please email us. Many of the biology courses you had are now on-line. You can check them out from the courses page of Bioweb. If you need a password for a course, let us know. If you wish to add yourself to list, click here. We are interested! Comments Welcome!
| Newest addition to WKU Biology database | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | WKU Degree | Favorite Class | Comments |
| Bonthu, Ramadevi | MS Biology, 2004 | Dr. Rineharts all courses RGT & Molecular Genetics | Beautiful and Best Environment to start your Research Career |
WKU Biology Alumni
| Name | WKU Degree |
Highest Degree |
Current Position |
Current Address |
Favorite Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdulrahman, Farag | M.S Biology, 1973 | Ph.D. from Washington State University (1979) | Professor of Plant Ecology | Tripoli, Libya | Prof Dr., Joe E. Winstead | No Comment |
| Alam, Samina | B.S. Biology, 1987 | Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine | Research Associate | Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Hershey, PA | Food Microbiology, Dr. Elliott | The education I received in this department was a stepping stone for where I am today. My heartfelt thanks to all the professors who taught me in classes and provided helpful advice throughout my time at WKU. |
| Archila, Soleil | B.S. Biology, 2001 | M.S. WKU | Ph.D. student Cardiovascular/Respiratory Sciences (MDCV) Smooth Muscle Research Group Faculty of Medicine University of Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, CANADA | N/A | No Comment |
| Ard, Shannon | B.S. Biology, 2003 | B.S. WKU | Junior Chemist. The company I work for has long been a leader in the research and development of new products and services in all areas of wood preservation technology as well as Utility and Railroad asset management | Memphis, TN area | Oh wow. Classes: I've got to say that Virology & Bacteriology (in Biology Dept), Agriculture 101 & Animal Pathology (Ag Dept), and African American Studies (General Ed). Professors: Dr. Brian Sleugh, Dr. Gordon Jones | Congrats in the new building! I am sure you guys are loving it and doing great things with research and biotech. |
| Areephanthu, Abraham | B.S. Biology, | Medical Doctor | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Ball, Kelly | B.S. Biology, 1998 | M.S. Western Kentucky University | Research Assistant - Neurochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock, Arkansas | Dr. Larry Elliott and Dr. Joe Winstead | I have fond memories of the biology department - what a great place to get an education! |
| Ballard (formerly Mattingly), Amanda | BS Biology, 2004 | currently working on O.D., Indiana University | Optometry Student at Indiana University School of Optometry | Bloomington, Indiana | Dr. Bowker and Dr. Shank are the ones that got me interested in Biology and Chemistry! | No Comment |
| Banks, James | B.S. Biology, 1987 | Master of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Sr. Industrial Hygienist, Saturn Corporation | Spring Hill, TN | Dr. Tom Coohill, Biophysics Dr. Larry Elliot, Micro/Food Micro | No Comment |
| Barnett, Brian | B.S. Recombinant Genetics, 2000 | B.S. WKU | Manufacturing Technician | Vacaville, CA | Dr. Rinehart / Molecular Genetics | When you graduate, get as far away from Kentucky as possible |
| Bell, David E. | B.S. Biology, | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Benfield, Brandy | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, | N/A | Nursing Home Administrator | Owensboro, KY | Comparative Anatomy | No Comment |
| Bonthu, Ramadevi | MS Biology, 2004 | M.S. Western Kentucky University | QA Analyst | Phoenix, AZ | Dr. Rineharts all courses RGT & Molecular Genetics | Beautiful and Best Environment to start your Research Career |
| Braden, Wesley | BS Biology, 2002 | PhD University of Cincinnati College of Medicine | Post-doc fellow Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center | Durham, NC | Molecular Genetics, Claire Rinehart | The hands on lab experience and personal attention at WKU were invaluable to my success as a doctoral student |
| Bryson, Ben | BS Biology & Chemistry, 2003 | M.D. University of Kentucky | Resident Physician University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | ||
| Burch, John T. | B.S. Biology, | M.D. U.K. | Orthopaedic Surgeon, 10 member single specialty group practice | Good old BG ! | I liked every one of them - & that's the TRUTH ! | No Comment |
| Burdine, Rebecca | BS Recombinant Genetics, 1990 | Ph.D. Yale University | Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | All of the classes with labs, and Dr. Rinehart's courses. | |
| Cardwell, David | B.S. Recombinant Genetics & Chemistry, | B.S. WKU | Waste Sampler | Gilbertsville, Ky | Dr. Rinehart RGT & Molecular Genetics | I think that along with a senior seminar for the biology degree there should also be either a freshman or sophmore seminar. By the time one takes the seminar required now, the information learned is to late to use, importance of undergraduate research. |
| Cecil, Eric | B.S. Biology, 2000 | N/A | Grad student | Lafayette, IN | N/A | Recombinant Genetic Technologies major, 1996 Currently working toward M.S. in biochemistry at Purdue Univ |
| Chaney, Brian W. | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, | M.D. - University of Louisville | Family Physician | Madisonville, KY | N/A | No Comment |
| Cheepala, Satish Babu | M.S Biology, 2003 | N/A | Graduate student (Ph.D) Lousiana state univ health science center .Shreveport LA | Shreveport, LA | Dr.Rinehart, Dr.Sahi, Dr.Rice, Dr.Doerner | No Comment |
| Chilton, Paula | B.S. Biology, | Ph.D. U. of Louisville | Inst. for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville | Louisville, KY | N/A | My current projects involve the development of clinically applicable procedures for the use of bone marrow transplants to treat autoimmune diseases such as Type I diabetes. |
| Clark, Wes | MS Biology, 1993 | M.D., Ph.D. University of Tennessee | Neurologist, UT Southwestern | Dallas, TX | Dr. Balak | |
| Cook, Deborah | BS Biology, 2006 | B.S. Western Kentucky University | Ph.D. student at Gluck Equine Research Center of University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science | 2111 Lansill Rd. Lexington Kentucky 40504 | Molecular Genetics, Dr. Rinehart | I learned many valuable research skills and made many more valuable friends during my time in the biology department and biotech center of WKU |
| Cooke, Raymond | B.S. Biology, 1958 | M.S. - Indiana U. - 1960 | Retired | Spencer, NY | Drs. Ward C. Sumpter (Chem) and L. Y. Lancaster (Biol) | No Comment |
| Cottongim, Sarah E. | B.S. Recombinant Genetics, 1996 | N/A | Sales Rep, PGC Scientifics | Independence, KY | I really liked Anthropology and RGT | Dr. Dunham--i know he's no longer at WKU, but he was by far the biggest influence on my academic choices. |
| Crose, John | MS Biology, 1976 | MS Western Kentucky University | Senior engineering liaison, laboratory and field operations Reitz and Jens Inc. Consultant Engineers, St. Louis, Mo. | St. Louis, Mo. | Ichthyology w/ Dr. Robert Hoyt and Parasitology w/ Dr. Larry Gleason | Absolutely two of the most memorable years of my life were spent at W.K.U. The faculty and the many friends I made while I was apart of the Dept. of Biology, as well as those I was fortunate to befriend across campus, will always be remembered and remain dear to me! |
| Crowe, Carol | MS Biology, 1994 | M.S. Western Kentucky University | Stay at home mom | Bowling Green, KY | Favorite class was Botany with Dr. Jenkins; other favorite profs include Drs. Ferrell, Elliott and Shadowen | I currently homeschool my two daughters |
| Dawson, Wallace | B.S. Biology, 1954 | Ph.D. Ohio State University | Professor Emeritus | St. Louis, MO | Zoology. (Professor: L. Y. Lancaster) and English. (Miss Frances Richards) | Go Western! |
| DeWildt, Chris | MS Biology, 2007 | M.S. WKU | Integrated Pest Management | Tucson, AZ | T.K. Philips entomology and Doug McElroy's Evolution and stats classes | No Comment |
| Duke, jim | BS Biology, 1961 | EdS WKU | Madisonville &Owensboro Community Colleges | 12360 s old livermore road Utica KY | Anatomy Lile Sherill | probably best teacher I ever had.Close second-P.L. SAanderfur-physics |
| Dye, Billy | BS Recombinant Genetics, 1995 | Ph.D. Vanderbilt University | Research Specialist Howard Hughes Medical Institute Department of Structural Biology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis TN | My favorite classes were those taught by Dr. Reinhart and Dr. Balak. | This entry was updated June 2007 |
| Farris, William | B.S. Biology, 2002 | N/A | Science Teacher at Providence High School | Madisonville, KY | My favorite professor while at WKU was Dr. Cheryl Davis. I enjoyed all of the biology classes. | No Comment |
| Fentress, Darren | B.S. Biology, 1999 | M.D. University of Louisville | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Fields, Matthew W. | B.S. Biology, 1993 | Ph.D. Cornell University | Research Staff Scientist | Knoxville, TN | N/A | No Comment |
| Florence, Linda | B.S. Biology, 1980 | M.A. 1994 Northern Arizona University - Yuma | High School Biology teacher | Yuma, Arizona | It has been over 20 years since I graduated from Western, but I still remember my ecology class. I cannot remember the professor's name but I remember his face. He made me work in that class, but I really enjoyed it. | I don't get to Kentucky very often - my last visit was eight years ago. I try to keep up with what is going on and I am very proud of being an alum! I was chosen as the Outstanding Biology Teacher for the State of Arizona last year. This award was given to me by the National Association of Biology Teachers. I am very proud of having won it and Western helped to make it possible |
| Grant, Kelsey | BS Recombinant Genetics, 2004 | BS RGT and Chemistry | Chemist at Barr Pharmaceuticals, Cincinnati, Ohio | Cincinnati, Ohio | All the RGT classes, and Drs. Doerner and Rinehart | No comment |
| Greenwell, Roger | BS Recombinant Genetics, 2003 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | I am currently a graduate student at UW-Madison, working on my Ph.D. in microbiology. I work with Timothy Donohue, deciphering how Rhodobacter sphaeroides deals with the reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen. | Madison, WI | I can't list a favorite, because I enjoyed all of the classes there in the Biology Dept. | Thanks to everyone there that made WKU such an enjoyable and memorable experience. |
| Hardison, Jeffrey Shane | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, 2000 | N/A | Currently a microbiologist with Public Health in Frankfort. Did work as a Forensic Biologist with the Kentucky State Police Lab. | Frankfort, Kentucky | Dr. Elliot, Dr. Crawford Pathogenic Micro, Bacteriology | No Comment |
| Hicks, Lisa | B.S. Biology, 1986 | Graduate work at Oregon State University | Environmental Scientist with KY Division of Water; previously Wildlife Biologist with the federal government in Oregon and California. | Frankfort, KY | Ornithology and Animal Behaviour with Dr. Blaine Farrell - not sure if he is even there anymore. A wondrous birder, and the spark in my career in wildlife and aquatic species management. I think I may be the only alum wildlife biologist and land manager from WKU! | I'm hoping to contact the WKU water lab for some work with my job with KY state, Division of Water - if you know Dr. Andy Ernst, let him know I am headed his way. We need biologists here at the state! |
| Hudnall, Timothy | BS Biology, 1983 | M.S. Western Kentucky University | Physician Assistant | 1161 Laurel Hill Road Knoxville, TN 37923 | Invertebrate Zoology with Rudolph Prinz | Western was a GREAT place for undergrad and grad studies. I would recommend it to anyone |
| Jones, Amy | B.S. Biology, | MSN Vanderbilt University | Family Nurse Practitioner | Boston, MA | Mr. Mason (Anatomy and Phys) Dr. Holman | No Comment |
| Keen, Mark | BS Biology, 1978 | Ph.D. University of Tennessee at Memphis | Teaching Assistant Professor NCSU Department of Microbiology | Raleigh, NC | Bacteriology-Elliott, Protistology-Dillard, Zoology Lab-Shadowen, Cell Biology Lab-Houston Genetics- Yungbluth | Beta Beta Beta |
| Kelley, Tori | BS Biology, 1982 | PharmD Creighton University | Pharmacist in an independent pharmacy | Bowling Green, KY | Histology, Dr. Hoyt because it was the most challenging | WKU has a great program that lays the foundation for a great future! |
| King, Mark | BS Biology, 2005 | DMD UK | Periodontics resident University of Kentucky | Lexington KY | Soooo many good choices, but probably Immuno w/ Dr. Davis | The years I spent in WKU were some of the best of my life. I can not even communicate what a great experience I had at WKU. |
| King, Ronald | B.S. Biology, | D.M.D. | Dentist | Leitchfield, KY | N/A | Earned both B.S. & M.S. from WKU |
| Kline, Robert | B.S. Biology/Biophysics, | B.S WKU | Graduate student Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Dept of Neurology | Springfield, TN | N/A | No Comment |
| Kron, Jason | B.S. Recombinant Genetics, | N/A | Research Specialist, Transgenic Mouse and Gene Targeting Facility | Atlanta, GA | Molecular Genetics and Immunology Dr. Claire Rinehart | No Comment |
| LaFever, Leesa | BS Biology, 2003 | B.S. WKU | Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology | Nashville, TN | Dr. Davis's immunology class--the associated laboratory section was especially good | WKU prepared me well for graduate school! |
| Lee, Brian | B.S. Biology, 1998 | N/A | LT - US Navy, Tactical Coordinator of the P-3 Orion | Pearl City, Hawaii | Anatomy-Wayne Mason, Comparative Anatomy-Dr. Ferrell | No Comment |
| Logsdon-Coomes, Tara | B.S. Recombinant Genetics, | Master of Arts from WKU | Science Teacher at Bowling Green High School | Bowling Green, KY | All Recombinant Genetics Classes (RGT) | The biology faculty was very supportive and friendly when I was at WKU. There kindness will always be appreciated! |
| Mantia, Susan | B.S. Biochemistry & Recombinant Genetics, 1989 | M.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry University of Pittsburgh | QA/QC Director, ImmunoSite, Inc | West Mifflin, PA | All of Biology and Chemistry staff that I interacted with | No Comment |
| Onyejekwe, Chike | B.S. Biology, 1981 | M.D. Howard University | Internist | Colorado/Maryland | N/A | No Comment |
| Piccirillo, Chris | BS Recombinant Genetics, 2001 | MS Rutgers University | Forensic Scientist for New Jersey State Police | Bloomfield, NJ | Recombinant Gene Technology with Dr. Rinehart!! | Wouldn't trade my WKU experiences for the world!! |
| Puckett, Hugh | B.S. Biology, | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Radle, David | B.S. Biology, | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Rice, Amanda | B.S .Biology, 1998 | N/A | Graduate Student at the University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | N/A | No Comment |
| Rice (Ayers), Nancy | B.S. Recombinant Genetics, | Ph.D. - Biochemistry, University of Tennessee | WKU Biology Faculty | Bowling Green, KY | Biochemistry/ BacT Drs. Dunham and Elliott | No Comment |
| Roberson, Eli | B.S. Recombinant Genetics, | N/A | Graduate Student Johns Hopkins University | Towson, MD | N/A | Recently moved from first rotation using 100k SNP mapping arrays to study mental retardation. Now I'm rotating in a lab studying Nail-Patella Syndrome, exploring expression of several transcription factors in relation to Lmx1b. |
| Roberts, Nick | BS Biology, 2004 | N/A | Online Media/Advertising, National Business Development Manager | Atlanta, GA | Dr. Hoyt | Everyone needs to be pushed. |
| Robison (Rowlett), Janet | MS Biology, 1981 | MS Biology Western Kentucky University | AP Biology Teacher Woodland High School Cartersville, Georgia | 2462 Arapaho Way Powder Springs, Georgia 30127 | Algal Systematics and Ecology with Dr. Dillard | My masters degree at WKU gave me a Very solid foundation in biology. Drs. Holt, Dillard, Gleason and Ferrell were wonderful and supportive faculty members to me while I completed my degree. |
| Ruley, Thomas | B.S. Biology, 2001 | B.S. WKU | Graduate Student | N/A | Dr. Hoyt's Histology | No Comment |
| Schmidt Didier, Elizabeth | MS Biology, 1978 | Ph.D. Univ Texas Southwestern Med Ctr; postdoc, NYU Med Ctr | Professor, Tulane University, Tulane National Primate Research Ctr. | Covington, LA | Immunology (Skean, Morgado), Microbiology (Elliott), Parasitology (Gleason) | Terrific basic science program that prepared me well for research, teaching, and service responsibilities. |
| Seong, Nick | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, | N/A | Technical Manager | Penang, Malaysia | Dr. Yungbluth & Reasoner | No Comment |
| Shadoan, Derek | BS Biology, 1991 | MBA - WKU ('04) | Branch Manager - EnSafe, Inc. | 1148 College Street Bowling Green, KY | ||
| Shannon, Tim | B.S. Recombinant Genetics M.S. Biology, | Ph.D. Ohio University | Assistant Professor of Biology Francis Marion University | Florence, South Carolina | N/A | Dr. Rinehart is a great research mentor |
| Simmons, Alan | B.S. Biology, M.S., | Ph.D. U of K | 2nd year medical student @ UofL | Louisville, KY | Dr. Rinehart | No Comment |
| Smith, Trent | B.S. Recombinant Genetics, 1996 | Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of South Carolina, 2001 | Assistant Professor, George Fox University | Newberg, OR | Biology: Dr. Davis' Immunology Non-Biology: Religious Studies | It's great to learn that so many nice things are happening in the Bio department there. I always look back with great respect for the education I got there on the Hill. |
| Steenbergen, Frank | B.S. Biology, 1962 | Ph.D., Indiana University | Adjunct Professor, WKU | Lucas, KY | Dr. Lucia Anderson | No Comment |
| Stiers, David | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, 2000 | N/A | Teaching Assistant/Graduate Student(M.S.) | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Dr. Robert Hoyt | No Comment |
| Stiers (Cable), Erin | B.S. Biology, 1999 | M.S. Agronomy - University of Arkansas | Graduate Assistant (Working towards a Ph.D in Cell and Molecular Biology) | Fayetteville, AR | Dr. Meier's Ecology, Dr. Murrell's Botany and Plant Taxonomy | No Comment |
| Szeremeta, Brian | B.S. Biology, | N/A | Quality Engineer | Marietta, Georgia | Pathogenic Micro | No Comment |
| Tehrani, Kathy | MS Biology, 1999 | MS Western Kentucky University | Laboratory Instructor in Biology Xavier University | Cincinnati, Ohio | Mutivariate Statistics, Doug McElroy | |
| Tucker, Roger | BS Biology, 1989 | MS Biology University of Louisville 2005 | Scientist II Microbiology Louisville Water Company | Louisville Kentucky | Drs Elliot, Puckett, and Jenkins | |
| Vadari, Yoganand | M.S Biology, 2004 | M.S in Biology, Western Kentucky University | Molecular biology Research Associate, Sygen International plc. | Bowling Green, KY | Advance Microbiology, Dr. Kinchel C. Doerner | No Comment |
| Varnadore-Thomas, Willie | B.S. Biology, 1978 | M.A. WKU | Teacher; LaRue County High School | LaRue County, Kentucky | Dr. T. Alan Yungbluth, because he could remember your name after the first time he met your class, and he was concerned that students in his class were successful. Dr. Larry Elliott was the same way. | Western Kentucky University has an excellent record of educating biology teachers and professionals. I am pleased that they are continuing the tradition. |
| Warner, Lynn | BS Biology, 2001 | MBA; UoP | Regulatory Affairs | Denver, CO | Bacteriology; Larry Elliott | |
| Weedman, Kechia | BS Biology, 1999 | B.S WKU | Senior Biologist in Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology at WIL Research Labs | Ashland, OH | Genetics with Dr. Yungbluth and Bacteriology with Dr. Elliot | I miss BG and WKU right now. |
| Woodham-Wilson, Leighann | B.S. Biology, 2001 | B.S. WKU | Research Technologist at U of L for the Dept. of Neurological Sciences and Kentucky Spinal Cord Research Center | Bardstown, Kentucky | N/A | No Comment |