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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!
WKU Biology Alumni
| Name | WKU Degree |
Highest Degree |
Current Position |
Current Address |
Favorite Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puckett, Hugh | B.S. Biology, | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Jones, Amy | B.S. Biology, | MSN Vanderbilt University | Family Nurse Practitioner | Boston, MA | Mr. Mason (Anatomy and Phys) Dr. Holman | 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! |
| Bell, David E. | B.S. Biology, | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Seong, Nick | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, | N/A | Technical Manager | Penang, Malaysia | Dr. Yungbluth & Reasoner | No Comment |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| King, Ronald | B.S. Biology, | D.M.D. | Dentist | Leitchfield, KY | N/A | Earned both B.S. & M.S. from WKU |
| Simmons, Alan | B.S. Biology, M.S., | Ph.D. U of K | 2nd year medical student @ UofL | Louisville, KY | Dr. Rinehart | 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. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Areephanthu, Abraham | B.S. Biology, | Medical Doctor | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Radle, David | B.S. Biology, | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No Comment |
| Chaney, Brian W. | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, | M.D. - University of Louisville | Family Physician | Madisonville, KY | N/A | No Comment |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| Szeremeta, Brian | B.S. Biology, | N/A | Quality Engineer | Marietta, Georgia | Pathogenic Micro | No Comment |
| 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 |
| Benfield, Brandy | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, | N/A | Nursing Home Administrator | Owensboro, KY | Comparative Anatomy | No Comment |
| 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! |
| 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 |
| Steenbergen, Frank | B.S. Biology, 1962 | Ph.D., Indiana University | Adjunct Professor, WKU | Lucas, KY | Dr. Lucia Anderson | No Comment |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| Onyejekwe, Chike | B.S. Biology, 1981 | M.D. Howard University | Internist | Colorado/Maryland | N/A | No Comment |
| 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. |
| 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! |
| 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 |
| 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! |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Tucker, Roger | BS Biology, 1989 | MS Biology University of Louisville 2005 | Scientist II Microbiology Louisville Water Company | Louisville Kentucky | Drs Elliot, Puckett, and Jenkins | |
| 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 |
| Fields, Matthew W. | B.S. Biology, 1993 | Ph.D. Cornell University | Research Staff Scientist | Knoxville, TN | N/A | No Comment |
| Ng Say Seong, Nick | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, 1994 | N/A | Technical Manager | Penang, Malaysia | Dr. Yungbluth & Reasoner | No Comment |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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! |
| Rice, Amanda | B.S .Biology, 1998 | N/A | Graduate Student at the University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | N/A | No Comment |
| 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. |
| Fentress, Darren | B.S. Biology, 1999 | M.D. University of Louisville | N/A | N/A | N/A | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Stiers, David | B.S. Biology & Chemistry, 2000 | N/A | Teaching Assistant/Graduate Student(M.S.) | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Dr. Robert Hoyt | No Comment |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Ruley, Thomas | B.S. Biology, 2001 | B.S. WKU | Graduate Student | N/A | Dr. Hoyt's Histology | No Comment |
| 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 |
| 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!! |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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! |
| Bryson, Ben | BS Biology & Chemistry, 2003 | M.D. University of Kentucky | Resident Physician University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | ||
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Roberts, Nick | BS Biology, 2004 | N/A | Online Media/Advertising, National Business Development Manager | Atlanta, GA | Dr. Hoyt | Everyone needs to be pushed. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |