ACUBE Governance
President
J.T. Cornelius
Indiana University School of Medicine
J.T. Cornelius is an Anatomy Education Ph.D. student at Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington. He is originally from a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. Go Chiefs! He graduated with a B.S. in Organismal Biology with a minor in educational studies from Rockhurst University in May of 2022. His research interests include qualitative methodologies, assessment techniques, and program evaluation. Currently, he is an associate instructor for the undergraduate basic human anatomy labs at IU Bloomington.
Past-President
Ashley Driver
University of Scranton
Ashley Driver is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Scranton where she teaches courses in cellular and developmental biology. Her research background is in molecular and cellular biology with a focus on mammalian forebrain development. Her current research focuses on the role of cholesterol biosynthesis during neurogenesis. She joined ACUBE in 2018 and hopes to continue gaining insight on how to improve inclusivity, metacognition, and critical thinking in both lecture and laboratory settings.
Executive Secretary of Finance
Greg Smith
Lakeland University
Greg Smith, a member of the Lakeland University faculty since 2003, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon in 2001 and completed his post-doctoral work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003. He is co-founder of the Lakeland Undergraduate Research Experience (LURE), which allows students to work alongside their faculty as peers in conducting primary research. Smith's research with students in the LURE program focuses on understanding the mechanisms of protein aggregation as they relate to prion diseases (Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk, Mad Cow Disease in bovines, etc.). Among courses Smith designed or co-designed at Lakeland are bioinformatics, scientific analysis and writing I, and scientific analysis and writing II. Smith partnered with fellow biology faculty member Paul Pickhardt to create Lakeland's tropical biology course in Belize, a hands-on opportunity to conduct research in the rainforest.
Executive Secretary
Nourin Amin
Ball State University
Nouran is a biology PhD Candidate at Purdue University. She's a trainee in Discipline-based Education Research (DBER) studying the graphing practices of undergraduate biology students. She holds a BS and MS in Biology and a plethora of teaching experience in anatomy and physiology, and introductory biology courses. Besides her current research interests, she is also invested in visual literacy in the STEM classroom, science communication, and innovative teaching practices.
Membership Secretary
Gigi Makky
Marquette University
Dr. Gigi Makky has served as a Clinical Professor in the department of Biomedical sciences at Marquette University since 2011, focusing on her students wellbeing on multiple fronts. In addition to teaching a wide array of courses surrounding human genetics, Dr. Makky advises pre-clinical and non-clinical students alike. She directs the departments internship program, helping students on a non-clinical track to explore their relevant career options. Over the last several years, Dr. Makky developed and deployed a peer mentor program within the department to integrate students of diverse backgrounds into the culture of the Biomedical Sciences at Marquette. Currently interested in the scholarship of teaching and learning, Dr. Makkys curriculum focuses on active learning and classroom engagement. Dr. Makky has won several teaching awards, including being chosen Faculty Professor of the Year by honors students in 2023.
Website Editor
Tara Prestholdt
University of Portland
Tara Prestholdt is a Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Portland. She has served on ACUBE Steering Committee, been a Local Arrangements Host and Program Chair on several occassions, served as Website Editor, and served as ACUBE President. She is interested in marine and terrestrial invertebrates. Her research spans many aspects of ecology, ethology, and evolution, including sexual selection, autotomy and regeneration, polarized light, climate change, and plastic pollution. When not in the classroom she enjoys taxidermy, salty snacks, and time with her dog Millie.
Social Media Chair
Takunda Maisva
Syracuse University
Takunda Maisva is a doctoral candidate and biology education researcher at Syracuse University. His doctoral research efforts span both the social and natural science contexts. He has worked on projects aimed at improving students' sense of science identity in the biology classroom. As a traditional biology researcher, he conducted functional genomics analysis examining developmental impacts on crickets exposed to chronic anthropogenic noise stress. His research aims to broaden participation and retention of students traditionally excluded in STEMM in an effort to give back to future students pursuing STEMM degrees as he benefited from opportunities afforded to him during his years of training. The breadth and depth of his research experience has led him to look forward to understanding how we communicate our science across social stages.
Historian
Jason Wiles
Syracuse University
Jason R. Wiles is a biology professor at Syracuse University. His research focuses on socially controversial areas of science and on making science learning environments more inclusive. He is an expert on active learning strategies, developing learners’ science identities and conceptions of the nature of science, and developing inclusive learning environments in support of equity and diversity. He has been internationally, nationally, and regionally recognized with numerous awards for teaching, advocacy, and research. Dr. Wiles is an elected fellow of the Linnean Society of London, the Royal Society of Biology, and, most recently, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Editor of Bioscene
Robert Yost
Indiana University - Purdue University
My research interests focused on lipid metabolism in the lungs and the liver. It was during my experiences as a post-doctoral fellow that I discovered my enthusiasm and excitement for helping others learn. At that time I decided to make the transition from research to becoming a member of the teaching faculty. My education research is centered on understanding student views on diversity in the sciences, and investigating ways to improve scientific exploration through student participation in regional, state, and international science fairs.
Steering Committee Member
Brooke Greiner
Medical College of Wisconsin
Brooke Greiner is a Biophysics PhD candidate at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is studying attentional control fluctuations over a two-week period with a specific interest in using fMRI to investigate the neural correlates of these behavioral fluctuations. She received her BS in Biological Sciences with minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry from Eastern Illinois University. Being interested in cognitive neuroscience, and how the brain learns and functions, is why she is excited to be more involved in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Unrelated to science, she loves playing and watching sports. And, if you were wondering, her favorite teams are the St. Louis Blues, Milwaukee Admirals, Detroit Lions, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Bucks, in that order.
Steering Committee Member
Celina Bellanceau
University of Tampa
Celina Bellanceau's academic interests lie in the fields of ecology, especially invasive species, environmental health, outreach and science education. Bellanceau's research looked at the effects of prescribed fire on arthropod communities in a sandhill habitat. She volunteers with a local native wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group and with a group dedicated to reducing the number of feral cats in the Tampa Bay Area.
Steering Committee Member
Camellia Moses-Okpodu
University of Wyoming
Camellia Moses Okpodu is a Professor in the Department of Botany and a Clay Fellow in the Honors College at the University of Wyoming, where she teaches courses in botany, computational biology, and environmental science. Her interdisciplinary research integrates plant biochemistry, climate justice, and bioinformatics, with a focus on antioxidant enzyme activity and genomic responses to herbicide treatment. She has hosted annual “Climate Conversations” since 2006, amplifying perspectives and promoting inclusive sustainability strategies. Her work reflects a commitment to scientific inquiry and community engagement across global and local contexts.
Steering Committee Member
Luciana Caporaletti
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Luciana Caporaletti has been teaching since 2009, at Cape Fear Community College, Mohave Community College, New Mexico State University, and currently Penn State Wilkes-Barre. She teaches a variety of biology courses, General biology, Population ecology, Climate change, Environmental science, and Art in the natural world. Luciana earned her master's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. As a graduate student, her research focused on the nesting and hatching success of Least terns and Black Skimmers at Wrightsville Beach. Luciana also has a love for plants and incorporates the use of hydroponics to grow tomatoes in her biology classes. Her most recent research project gave her the opportunity of a lifetime. Her team lived with the Urarina people in the Peruvian Amazon. There she recorded what plants the indigenous community uses for medicinal purposes. Luciana lives in Dallas, PA with her son, Blu, a Shiba Inu (Ghibli), a Maine Coon (Caesar), and the sweetest adopted kitty in the world (Maximus).
Local Arrangements Chair
Jonelle Orridge
Broward College
Dr. Jonelle I. Orridge is the Associate Dean of Science and Wellness at Broward College, where she has demonstrated leadership in science education, faculty development, and community engagement. She brings extensive experience in organizing academic events, developing inclusive STEM programming, and coordinating professional development initiatives at both campus and national levels. Dr. Orridge holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from The Graduate Center, CUNY, and has served as an educator, administrator, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biointeractive Ambassador. Her passion for fostering collaboration and innovative learning environments will support a vibrant and welcoming conference experience for all attendees.
Steering Committee Member
Kristine Squillace-Stenlund
Dakota County Technical College
Bio Coming Soon!
Steering Committee Member
Sarah Morgan
Lone Star College, CyFair
Bio Coming Soon!
