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| Faculty |
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Jeffrey McKelvey, Ph.D., Chairperson
Phone: (616) 632-2183
E-mail: mckeljef@aquinas.edu |
| Dr. McKelvey joined the Aquinas College Biology Department in 1986. A Pennsylvania native, he earned his Ph. D. at Bowling Green State University and his B.S. in Biology at West Virginia Wesleyan College. He teaches zoology, comparative anatomy and physiology, as well as courses in his specific areas of interest, parasitology and ornithology. He co-chairs the Aquinas College Pre-health Advisory Committee and is the faculty adviser to Aquinas' chapter of the Beta Beta Beta Biology National Honor Society. He enjoys hiking, golfing, bird-watching and home-brewing. |
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Thomas Bahl, Ph.D.
Phone: (616) 632-2185
E-mail: bahltho@aquinas.edu |
| Dr. Bahl came to Aquinas College from Salisbury, North Carolina in 2002. Dr. Bahl earned his Ph. D. in Neuroscience from Emory University, his M.S. in Zoology from The University of Georgia, and his B.S. in Biology from The Pennsylvania State University. He teaches human biology, biology for the health sciences and neuroscience. Dr. Bahl is a member of The Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. His interests include neurobiology, especially of invertebrates, and how the nervous and endocrine systems influence muscle development. |
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Robb Bajema, Ph.D.
Phone: (616) 632-2182
E-mail: bajemrob@aquinas.edu |
| Dr. Bajema joined Aquinas College in 1998 and teaches ecologically and environmentally oriented classes. His classes are designed to engage students in hands-on lab experiences. His research interests are in wildlife conservation and landscape preservation. He has served on the Ada Township Open Space Task Force which was created to implement a plan to conserve natural areas and open space within the township. Dr. Bajema has also been a board member of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and a member of its land protection committee which evaluates properties for their conservation potential. His hobbies include camping, hunting, nature hikes, biking, downhill skiing, and boating. |
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Jennifer Hess, Ph.D.
Phone: (616) 632-2186
E-mail: hessjen@aquinas.edu |
| Dr. Hess joined the Aquinas College Biology Department in 2005. She moved to Grand Rapids from Huntingdon, Pa., where she was a post-doctoral fellow at Juniata College. Dr. Hess teaches microbiology, cell biology, genetics, immunology and a class in her specialty, human genetics. She earned her Ph.D. in 2003 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and her B.A. in 1998 from Western Maryland College (now named McDaniel College). Dr. Hess is a member of the American Society for Microbiology and the American Society of Human Genetics. Her interests outside of science include theatre and music. |
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Summer Silvieus, Ph.D.
Phone: (616) 632-2448
E-mail: sylvisum@aquinas.edu |
| Dr. Silvieus joined the biology faculty in 2006. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota where she studied the cophylogeny of figs and the wasps that pollinate and parasitize them. Her B.S. was earned at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. She teaches botany, plant taxonomy and ecology, as well as participating in our introductory biology sequence. |
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Ricardo Caceres, B.S.
Biology Laboratory Coordinator
Phone: (616) 632-2403
E-mail: cacerric@aquinas.edu |
| Ric Caceres has been at Aquinas College since 1999. In addition to the B.S. degree in Biology that Ric received from Aquinas College, he also possesses a vast amount of experience ranging from management in the automotive field to business partner of a coffeehouse. Ric's previous work experience also includes 8 years in the Chemistry, Microbiology and Quality Assurance departments at Ada-based Alticor Corporation. He uses his experience to coordinate the wide range of biology labs offered at Aquinas College. |
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