Professor of Biology
B.S., M.A., University of Northern Iowa; Ph.D. North Carolina State University
Bio:
After I finished my doctoral work I spent three years in a post-doctoral research program. I missed working with people, and decided to try teaching. I found this so rewarding, and so time consuming that I focused my creative interests on trying to make my classes both meaningful and challenging and on my many and varied hobbies, one of which is reading. I never imagined that these passions would converge and lead to my part in Methodist’s first Quality Enhancement Plan, developing a culture of reading, or in my giving a presentation with several of my colleagues on this project at one of the annual meetings of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. I was also one of the charter members of the North Carolina Health Occupations Advisors organization, and was delighted to be selected as one of the first honorary inductees to the physician assistant organization Pi Alpha National Honor Society.
I became a biologist because I grew up in the country, and while I was growing up spent most of my free time observing plants and animals, both wild and domestic. Gradually this lead to my interest in understanding physiological pathways. I remain a nature watcher, though.
Assistant Professor of Biology
M.S., Tianjim Medical College; Ph.D., University of Louisville
Doctoral Thesis:
Development of GABAergic neuron in the cat visual cortex
Research Interests:
Sickle Cell Disease
Personal Interests:
Soccer, travel, and foods
Meghan Hennessey, MS
Instructor of Biology & Laboratory Coordinator
B.S., Methodist University; M.S., University of Florida
Bio:
Meghan has a Master’s degree from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her specific areas of interest are veterinary shelter medicine and animal behavior. She also has a graduate certificate in non-profit leadership from the University of Florida.
Research Interests:
Meghan’s research explored the perils of breed assignment in animal shelter settings, as they relate to breed specific legislation and euthanasia of dangerous breeds. This project tested the accuracy of canine breed assignment using DNA samples from dogs whose specific breed and background were unknown. The DNA test results revealed if the breeds assigned to the dogs by shelter workers were correct, or if they were in fact different breeds all together.
Lauren Klabonski, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., Pennsylvania State University; Ph.D., Drexel University
Bio:
Dr. Lauren Klabonski is an Assistant Professor of Biology. She teaches courses in Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, and Biological Science for non-majors. Dr. Klabonski often incorporates research-style lab experiences into her courses and loves working with students in the classroom and the lab.
Dr. Klabonski earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Penn State University in 2011 and her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Drexel University in 2019. Prior to joining the faculty at Methodist, she had academic appointments as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Penn. and Stillman College, an HBCU in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Dr. Klabonski’s areas of expertise include microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics. Her research focuses on growth factors, which are proteins necessary for growth, development, metabolism, and other essential biological processes. Growth factors also play important roles in the development of several diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Klabonski’s research aims to understand how specific growth factors are transported within and, ultimately, released from a cell to exert their effects. To answer these questions, she uses a genetic model organism, the microscopic worm C. elegans. Ultimately, Dr. Klabonski’s research can be used to identify new avenues for treating disease by targeting growth factor release.
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., M.S, Brigham Young University; Ph.D., Ohio State University
Bio:
Dr. Lybbert earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2012 and his Master of Science in Environmental Science in 2014 from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. His Ph.D. from Ohio State University (2020) is in Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology.
Dr. Lybbert’s areas of expertise include evolution, ecology, entomology and plant biology. As a pollination ecologist, he examines environmental factors that influence interactions between plants and pollinators (primarily bees). Plant pollination by insects represents a critical service in the maintenance of biological diversity and ecosystem stability. In recent years, pollinator declines resulting from habitat degradation, parasites, invasive species, and the use of agricultural chemicals have been reported in various regions of the world. Dr. Lybbert’s research specifically examines the effects of habitat disturbance and exotic plant invasions on plant-pollinator interaction dynamics, pollinator ecology, and plant reproduction.
Professor of Biology
B.A., M.S., Ph.D., University of Louisville
Bio:
Dr. McCandless’ areas of expertise include evolutionary biology, zoology and statistics. His research interests include investigations of the conservation status and population genetics of cave adapted cavefish and crayfish species. As a long time college instructor, he is also interested in statistical analysis of assessment data to evaluate teaching effectiveness, particularly in freshman biology courses. He enjoys hiking, amateur astronomy and reading science fiction, military history, and biographies.