Biology Faculty & Staff

Our faculty are experts in a diversity of fields that span from cells to ecosystems

Faculty Research Interests
  • Dr. Daniel Aruscavage

    Food safety in the home, such as contamination of cutting boards and sponges, is studied. Several other aspects of microbiology are also considered, such as antibiotic resistance, water quality, and microbial physiology.

    aruscava@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4315

  • Dr. Cristina M. Cummings

    Cell biology and molecular genetics.  I study how protein degradation is utilized to regulate the cell cycle, and how defects in cell cycle control can lead to problems with development or result in cancer.  I also explore the effectiveness of various teaching techniques on student learning in the Biology classroom.

    cummings@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4319

  • Dr. Kaoutar El Mounadi

    Plant pathology, mycology, molecular and cellular biology of fungi. My research focuses on studying the mechanisms used by fungal pathogens to infect plants. My goal is to understand plant-fungal interactions in order to design strategies to increase the resistance of plants to fungal diseases.

    elmounadi@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4312

  • Dr. Christopher Habeck

    Conservation biology, restoration ecology, and plant-herbivore interactions. I am interested in 1) how plant chemistry influences consumers, 2) how consumer foraging choices impact invasion dynamics, and 3) how consumers influence restoration success through alterations to the compositional and chemical signature of plant communities. My work integrates around a larger theme of enhancing basic and applied ecological knowledge for the conservation of species, habitat restoration, and mitigation.

    habeck@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4318 • Lab webpage

  • Dr. Richard Heineman

    Genetic and phenotypic evolution of bacteriophages. I study how bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, adapt both genetically and phenotypically. Their short generation times and large population sizes make it possible to study evolution in action. Special interests include the genotype-phenotype map and life history evolution.

    heineman@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4331 • Lab webpage

  • Dr. Alexander D. Hernandez

    Ecology and evolution of parasite-host interactions in wildlife populations from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Research focuses on understanding life history strategies important for the transmission of gastrointestinal parasites and how environmental changes, such as global climate change, pollution, and landscape alterations alter parasite interactions with hosts.

    hernandez@kutztown.edu • 484-646-5861

  • Dr. Angela Hoptak-Solga

    Cell and molecular genetics with an emphasis on the mechanisms responsible for the control of bone growth in zebrafish caudal fins. In particular, I study how mutations in connexin43 (cx43) lead to the production of short fins. I am interested in analyzing bone and joint structure using electron microscopy.

    hoptakso@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4311

  • Dr. Carol C. Mapes

    Plant physiology, plant growth and development, and cecidology. Research focuses on studies involving plant galls caused by insects and mites.

    mapes@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4314

  • Dr. Andrew Mashintonio

    Spatial ecology, animal movement, and conservation biology. I use computer modeling techniques to study how an animal's surrounding landscape can affect its distribution and movement patterns, which can inform park managers of best practices for a species' conservation and management.

    mashinto@kutztown.edu • 484-646-5853

  • Dr. Cristen Rosch

    Plant molecular and cell biology, developmental biology with interests including gene expression, gene regulation, and the use of fluorescent microscopy to study the cellular-cytoskeleton.

    rosch@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4313

  • Dr. Wendy L. Ryan

    Diverse projects within marine biology with an emphasis on zooplankton physiology in response to high pressure and other environmental stressors and marine mammal behavior and physiology.

    ryan@kutztown.edu  • 610-683-4310 

  • Dr. Christopher F. Sacchi, Chair of Biology Department

    Reproductive biology of native and introduced plant species with a focus on abiotic and biotic factors influencing plant growth and reproduction. Plant-herbivore and plant-pollinator interactions are of special interest.

    sacchi@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4308

  • Dr. Gregory P. Setliff

    Insect taxonomy and systematics, especially of tropical weevils from the Indo-Australian region; related interests include documenting biodiversity, insect identification, invasive species, and tropical ecology.

    setliff@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4316

  • Dr. Matthew Stone

    Physiology, ecology, and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. His research focuses on the bone dynamics of turtles, specifically in relation to reproduction.

    stone@kutztown.edu • 484-646-5844 • Lab webpage

  • Dr. Todd Underwood

    Bird behavior and ecology with a focus on the interactions between Brown-headed Cowbirds (a brood parasite that never raises its own offspring) and its hosts. Other interests include the impact of alien plants on birds, biology of birds using artificial nest boxes, and bird feeder hygiene.

    underwoo@kutztown.edu • 610-683-4323

Staff