Department of Biology

Education:

• B.S. Chemistry - Western Carolina University
• Ph.D. Biochemistry - Wake Forest University

Professional Experience:

• Postdoctoral, University of Utah - Cardiovascular Research Training Institute
• Research Associate, Duke University - Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development

Teaching Specialties:

• Cell Biology
• Biology of Aging

Areas of Expertise:

• Lipid Biochemistry
• Snake Venom Phospholipases
• Microbial Biofuel Production

Current Courses:

• Cell Biology
• Biology of Aging
• Current Controversies in Biotechnology
• First Year Seminar/ Honors Seminar

Research:

My research focuses on the role of lipids in biology. In the past the work was mostly about signaling whereas now it focuses on metabolism.
I have recently worked on the use of microalgae as a biofuel source. We have been trying to maximize triglyceride production through environmental stressors. We have also worked on developing a attachment substrate for growth to improve wastewater purification and biomass harvesting.
We have also been working on the inhibition of phospholipases that play a major role in tissue damage associated with bites from pit vipers, such as rattlesnakes and copperheads with the goal of developing an antivenin. We have found evidence of a serum phospholipase inhibitor. We are working to determine its structure as well as its specificity toward different isoforms of phospholipase A2.