A Georgia Baptist Institution
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Dr. Craig Allee Ph.D., Clemson University Frank Barron Jr., Professor of Biology Dean, School of Sciences and Math Office: 213 Rome Hall PH: 706-233-7260 callee@shorter.edu W. Frank Barron Jr. Professor of Biology, and Dean of the School of Sciences and Mathematics holds a B.A. in biology (1963) from Shorter College, a M.S. in entomology (study of insects) and zoology (1965) from Clemson University and a Ph.D. in entomology and plant pathology (1968) from Clemson University. Since returning to Shorter in 1968, Dr. Allee has served as a faculty member, Men's Counselor, Dean of Men, Dean of Student Services and Chairman of the Division of Natural Sciences. His teaching responsibilities include Medical Terminology, and Science Seminar. He is also the Allied Health Advisor for Pre-Meds. Dr. Allee's interests include hunting, fishing, camping and taxidermy (he owns and operates Doc's Taxidermy Shop). |
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Dr. Kane Barker Assistant Professor of Chemistry holds a B.S. in chemistry (2004) from King College in Bristol, TN and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry (2009) from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In his doctoral thesis he studied the adhesion and mechanical properties at the molecular level using an atomic force microscope. The molecules of interest included carbon nanotubes, nano-loops, nanocoils, and block copolymers. As a side project, he worked on the electrochemical decolorization of textile dyebath solutions. This incomplete project still holds great interest for him. His research interests include force spectroscopy theory and application, electrochemistry, and most importantly chemical education. At Shorter, he teaches general chemistry labs and the analytical chemistries. He is very interested in chemical education, and welcomes any student interested in that field. He is always looking for innovative methods to improving student learning in both the laboratory and the classroom. Out of the classroom, Dr. Barker enjoys spending time with his wife, Jana, and their daughters. He is active in his church and enjoys the fellowship that is shared in Christ. He is also an avid Star Wars fan. |
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Dr. Christopher Brown Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Brown holds an A.S. in Biology from South Georgia College (2001), a B.S. in Biology from the uncanny Shorter College (2003), and a Ph.D. in Biology with a focus on ecology and evolution from Vanderbilt University (2009). His dissertation centered on the behavioral ecology of Neochlamisus leaf beetles with special attention to the creation, maintenance, and function of their remarkable animal architectures. He is interested in animals of all sorts and has researched rodents and box turtles in the deserts of Arizona, Anolis lizards in the rainforests and plains of Puerto Rico, and insects of Tennessee, New England, and Canada. |
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Dr. Jennifer Davis Professor of Biology, holds a B.A. in biology (1969) from Elmhurst College in Illinois, a M.S. in biology (1971) from Emory University, a M.Ed. in special education (1985) from West Georgia College with an emphasis in audiology and learning disabilities, and a Ph.D. in biology (1994) from Mississippi State University. Her specialty is cytogenetics. Dr. Davis's dissertation research was concerned with the study of chromosome abnormalities and their consequences in a laboratory stock of a crane fly species. She has presented her research at several professional meetings. Additional professional endeavors include: 1) participation in Shorter's study abroad programs, May Term 1997, 2001, the Asia Program 2003, and the Americas Program 2007; 2) the development of two new courses "Issues in Bioethics" and "Issues in Biodiversity Conservation"; 3) active participation as a member of the Ethics Committee at Floyd Medical Center, Rome Georgia; and 4) active participation in the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB). She has served on several ASB committees, was elected Member-at-Large on the Executive Committee, and elected ASB Vice President for 2010-2011. Dr. Davis, has been at Shorter since 1976 and has had teaching responsibilities that included General Biology, Genetics, Zoology, Developmental Biology, Histology, Cell Biology, Physical Science, Bioethics, Biodiversity Conservation, and Science Education. Interests include reading, music, traveling, walking, cooking, and being a grandmother. |
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Dr. Neville Y. Forlemu Dr. Neville Y. Forlemu is an Assistant Professor of chemistry. He graduated from the University of Buea (Cameroon) with a Bachelor of Science with honors in Biochemistry and a minor in Medical laboratory technology. He attended the University of North Dakota, where he earned a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry. Understanding protein-protein complexes, their function and dynamics, using molecular modeling and computational methods was at the core of his doctoral dissertation. This involved computational biophysical research on the compartmentation and interaction of glycolytic enzymes. He served as a postdoctoral fellow at Mount Sinai School of medicine where he studied signal transduction mechanisms and processes triggered by molecular recognition in membrane protein complex systems such as G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). Neville has attended a variety of conferences including the Gordon Conference in Oxford England, Biophysical Society and the American Chemical Society. He is UNCF/Merck Science Initiative Fellow, a national competitive grant by Merck and the United Negro College Fund to recognize and promote excellence in research and science. Personal interest includes watching and playing soccer, politics, and most importantly spending time with family and friends. |
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Dr. Kimberly Hays Dr. Hays holds a B.S. in Biology from Jacksonville State University (2002), an M.S. in Zoology from Oklahoma State University (2005), and a Ph.D. in Zoology with an emphasis in wildlife and genetic toxicology from Oklahoma State University (2010). Her dissertation focused on individual and population-level genetic effects of heavy metal contamination (specifically lead, cadmium, and zinc) on the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) from Tar Creek Superfund Site in NE Oklahoma. She also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Oklahoma State University that focused on the effects of complex agricultural landscapes on pollinator diversity. Dr. Hays is also interested in Natural History collection management, genetics, politics, reading, cooking and going on adventures with her dog. |
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Mr. Clint Helms Instructor of Biology holds a B.S. in Biology from Shorter College (2007), a B.S. in Ecology and Field Biology from Shorter College (2007), and an M.S. in Biological Science from the University of Mississippi (2009). At Shorter, Mr. Helms teaches several sections of General Biology lecture and lab. He is also in charge of developing the General Biology lab curriculum. His personal interests include college football, Braves baseball, and spending time with family and friends. |
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Dr. Leah Howell Dr. Howell holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Shorter University (2005). She obtained her Ph.D. in Genetics from Clemson University (2010). Her dissertation focused on the genetics of metal uptake in the freshwater microbe, Caulobacter crescentus. She teaches the Microbiology and Genetics courses here at Shorter. Outside of teaching at Shorter, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She also enjoys college football, reading, and music. |
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Hunsucker, Kim Ms. Hunsucker holds a B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Animal Science from Berry College (1998) and a M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Emory University (2000). She has worked at a biopharmaceutical company in Maryland. There she worked in a synthesis group trying to discover new cancer drugs. Here at Shorter she teaches Gen. Chem. Labs. Outside of Shorter, she spends time with friends and family, reading, or hiking (and this year more than likely a fair share of home improvement projects). The hiking includes trying to convince a large dog to walk around with her on the trails (it gets much easier in cooler weather). |
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Ms. Lisa Keith M.S., Wright State University Associate Professor of Physical Science, Chair of Department of Natural Sciences PH: 706-233-7250 lkeith@shorter.edu Assistant Professor of Biology holds a BS in Biology (1990) from Berry College and a MS in Biology (1996) from Wright State University. Her thesis dissertation topic was “The Use of a Skin Graft Chamber to Evaluate Rejection of Murine Skin Equivalents.” This research involved the histopathological evaluation of the immune response that occurred when a skin equivalent was grafted onto a murine host within an isolation chamber. The purpose of this research was to determine whether rejection could be prevented or delayed by isolating the graft from surrounding skin. Mrs. Keith has conducted research in various areas of biology and education including paleontology, cryobiology, gene therapy, molecular biology, immunology, histology and science education. She has continued involvement with an NSF funded project which educates teachers about addressing accessibility issuers in the laboratory setting. The project, previously known as C.L.A.S.S. (Creating Laboratory Access for Science Students), is based out of Dayton Ohio at Wright State University. Lisa Keith’s current teaching responsibilities include the General Introductory Biology, Immunology and Human Anatomy & Physiology II courses. Mrs. Keith’s interests include scuba diving, camping, rock collecting, cooking, art and being a good mom. |
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Lu, Qiang Dr. Assistant Professor of Physics 706-233-7411 qlu@shorter.edu |
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Mr. Richard Scott Pirkle M.S., University of Louisville Assistant Professor of Biology PH: 706-233-7291 rpirkle@shorter.edu Assistant Professor of Biology, holds a M.S. in Biology (2007) from the University of Louisville and a B.S. in Applied Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology (2002). Currently, Mr. Pirkle teaches Human Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology along with the labs for those courses. Though his undergraduate degree focused on microbiology, Mr. Pirkle decided to focus his Master’s research on the association between trihalomethane formation potentials and watershed level dynamics in two small drinking reservoirs (a portion of this work was published in Environmental Information Archives). He also has had research note published in Ecological Restoration that addressed leaf breakdown rates of reintroduction of native river cane in a restored stream (which acts as an assessment tool to determine the functional health of a stream). Mr. Pirkle is very interested in undergraduate research and frequently works on projects with students in conjunction with Dr. Joshua Campbell and Dr. Matthew Waters. Mr. Pirkle has experience working in various laboratory settings (oceanography, poultry parasitology, and aquatic ecology labs) as well as several years of teaching experience. His personal interests include fishing, hiking, watching Atlanta Braves baseball, and spending time with his family. If you visit Rome Hall and see an adorable almost-toddler, then it is likely his son Silas who often visits to brighten everyone’s day! |
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Dr. Jason Ritchie Assistant Professor of Physical Science, holds a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science from Frostburg State University (1994) and earned his Ph. D. in geochemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology (2005). He was fortunate to co-author with Dr. Mike Perdue a chapter on the chemical and physical properties of freshwater organic matter for the Treatise on Geochemistry series (2003). Dr. Ritchie is an avid viewer of Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, and Law & Order CI, as well as classic Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. cartoons. |
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Dr. Roxy Lowry Swails Assistant Professor of Chemistry earned a B.S. in Chemistry from George Fox University and a Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry from University of Florida. Her graduate work focused on the development and implementation of novel enantioselective organometallic catalysts. As a postdoctoral researcher for the Energy Frontier Research Center at University of North Carolina she investigated the catalyzed reduction of carbon dioxide to methanol and other fuels. Her non-academic interests include hiking, spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking, and entertaining her boston terrier. |
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Dr. Jennell Talley Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Ireceived my B.S. in Biology from Shorter University in 2002 and finished my Ph.D. in 2011 from Vanderbilt University. My dissertation research centered around understanding protein-protein interactions between two components of the telomerase complex. Telomeres are important chromosome structures that ensure the faithful replication of DNA each cell cycle; these structures are maintained by a multi-subunit enzyme called telomerase. Many people who have pre-mature aging defects also present with shorter than normal telomeres due in part to decreased telomerase activity, suggesting a link between telomere length, telomerase expression and aging. Additionally, the misregulation (typically upregulation) of telomerase is seen in >85% of cancer cell lines. Therefore, understanding the regulation of telomerase and telomere maintenance will have profound effects on drug discovery for both aging and cancer related phenotypes. I have many interests, but LOVE sports. I love softball and baseball. I enjoy watching and sometimes participating in different sporting events. My favorite teams are the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Browns, Ohio State, Notre Dame and of course Vanderbilt (Go Dores!). I also look forward to attending an array of Shorter sporting events. I have a wonderful family and love spending time with my husband, daughter, and my parents and siblings. I enjoy getting to know people so stop by anytime for a chat. |
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Dr. Theunis Van Aardt He also happens to be a certified NAUI scuba instructor and he teaches this course at Shorter University. |
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Dr. Katherine Weeks Assistant Professor of Biology, has a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (2009), an M.S. in Plant and Environmental Science (2003), and a B.S. in Biological Sciences (1998), all from Clemson University. Her research interest centers around rare plant ecology and gaining information that can be applied towards the conservation management of rare plants. In the mountainous region of S.C, she studied the breeding system and inbreeding depression in Oconee bells by using hand-pollination treatments and growing seeds that resulted from those treatments. In the lovely swampy areas of the “lowcountry”, she investigated the population ecology of Carolina bogmint including the range-wide genetic diversity of the species and the population distribution within the Congaree National Park. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, “botanizing” while hiking, creating jewelry, baking and jogging (because of the baking). |
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Dr. Joe Bill Campbell Holds a B.S. in Agriculture, a Master of Science in Plant Genetics and a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Georgia. Dr. Campbell is a retired school teacher. He has taught in public college, private college, public high school and private high school. He is currently teaching Botany and General Biology at Shorter. Dr. Campbell has a farm and it is currently in pine production. |
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Mr. Henry Pollitz Holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, (1972) from Piedmont College and a M.S. in Plant Physiology from West Georgia College (1975). Currently, Mr. Pollitz teaches Biology 1010 and 1020. Though his undergraduate degree focused only on Cell Biology, he decided to focus his Master’s research on the adhesion and cohesion factors affecting xylem and phloem in the process of transpiration in plants. After receiving his M.S. degree Mr. Pollitz attended Shorter University where he took education courses in order to become certified to teach Middle School in Georgia. Mr. Pollitz has just recently retired from 30 years of being a middle grades educator, assistant principal and principal. He worked in both the Floyd County and Rome City School Systems. Mr. Pollitz enjoys spending time with his family including his wife Connie Pollitz (Myers) who graduated from Shorter, (1975) and with his daughter Shannon who teaches at Pepperrell Middle School and with his other daughter Allison and husband Chris and their new son Hank. |
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Flemming, Shelley She recently graduated from Shorter College with a B.S. in Biology (2010) AND recently married Pete Flemming (another Shorter graduate). Shelley so enjoyed her experience at Shorter that she is eager to help new students be successful in the Science Department. Shelley loves animals and would have a whole menagerie of them if her husband would only allow it. |
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Mrs. Dixie Lea Norman Ms. Dixie lives in Cartersville with her husband Eddie, and their three dogs. Her interests are taking care of her granddaughter (as often as she can), playing games online and spending time with her family. |
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