Biological Sciences Full-time Faculty

The tenured and tenure-track faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences are listed below. Visit the web page for faculty research for more information on the research interests of each person.

Andres Aguilar, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, joined faculty in 2013 Ph.D., 2003, University of California, Los Angeles Research:  Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics Office:  ASCR 323E, ext: 3-2078 E-mail:  aaguil67@calstatela.edu Web:  http://andresaguilar.weebly.com

Susan Cohen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, joined faculty in 2017 Ph.D., 2009, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research:  Molecular Microbiology Office:  ASCL 354, ext: 3-2091 E-mail:  scohen8@calstatela.edu  Web:  http://cohenlabcsula.weebly.com/

Robert A. Desharnais, Ph.D.   

Professor Emeritus, joined faculty in 1988 Ph.D., 1982, University of Rhode Island Research:  Theoretical Population Biology Office:  ASCR 323D, ext: 3-2056 E-mail:  rdeshar@calstatela.edu Web:  http://caldera.calstatela.edu/rdeshar

Raul Diaz, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, joined faculty in 2019 Ph.D., 2012, Anatomy and Cell Biology. University of Kansas Medical Center Research:  Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Vertebrates Office:  LKH 394, ext: 3-2077 E-mail:  rdiaz9@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.Reptile-Embryos.com (under construction)

 

Edward Eivers, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, joined faculty in 2011 Ph.D., 2004, National University of Ireland, Galway Research:  Developmental Biology and Cell Signaling Office:  ASCL 392, ext: 3-2075 E-mail:  eeivers@calstatela.edu

Kirsten Fisher, Ph.D. (Chair, Biological Sciences)

Professor, joined faculty in 2008 Ph.D., 2004, University of California, Berkeley Research:  Bryophyte Ecology and Evolution Office:  ASCL 393, ext: 3-2089 E-mail:  kfisher2@calstatela.edu Web:  https://kfisherlab.weebly.com/

Lawrence Fritz, Ph.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 2014 Ph.D., 1986, Rutgers University Research:  Bioluminescence and biorhythms Office:  ASCL 354, ext: 3-2036 E-mail:  Lawrence.Fritz@calstatela.edu Web:  coming soon

Ashley Heers, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, joined faculty in 2018 Ph.D., 2013, University of Montana Research:  Ontogeny and evolution of vertebrate locomotion Office:  ASCL 316, ext: 3-2072 E-mail:  aheers@calstatela.edu Web:  coming soon

Patrick Krug, Ph.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 2002 Ph.D., 1998, University of California, San Diego Research:  Ecology & Evolution of Marine Invertebrates Office:  ASCL 314, ext: 3-2076 E-mail:  pkrug@calstatela.edu Web:  https://patkrug70.wixsite.com/website

Nathan Lanning, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, joined faculty in 2014 Ph.D., 2010, University of Michigan Research:  Mitochondrial Systems Biology Office:  ASCL 317, ext: 3-2092 E-mail:  nlannin@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.lanninglab.com

Nancy McQueen, Ph.D.   (Assoc. Dean, Natural & Social Sciences)

Professor, joined faculty in 1989 Ph.D., 1986, University of California, Los Angeles Research:  Viral Pathogenesis Office:  Rosser Hall Dean's Office, ext: 3-2000 E-mail:  nmcquee@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/nmcquee

Paul Narguizian, Ed.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 2002 Ed.D., 2002, University of Southern California Research:  Evolution Education and the Nature of Science Office:  ASCR 323C, ext: 3-2054 E-mail:  pnargui@calstatela.edu Web:  http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/pnargui/

Paul Nerenberg, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, joining faculty in 2016 Ph.D., 2010, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research:  Computational Biophysics Office:  ASCR 121D, ext: 3-2122 E-mail:  pnerenb@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.psnlab.org

Robert Nissen, Ph.D.  

Professor, joined faculty in 2005 Ph.D., 2000, University of California, San Francisco Research:  Molecular Mechanisms in Vertebrate Development Office:  BIOS 143 and ASCL 216, ext: 3-2050 and 3-2039 E-mail:  rnissen@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/rnissen

Hyunsook Park, Ph.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 2007 Ph.D., Ewha Womans University Research:  Fungal Pathogenesis Office:  ASCL 353, ext: 3-2060 E-mail:  hpark8@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/hyunsook-park

Edith Porter, M.D. (Associate Chair, Biological Sciences)

Professor, joined faculty in 2001 M.D., 1989, University of Mainz, Germany Research:  Innate Mucosal Immunity Office:  ASCL 355, ext: 3-6353 E-mail:  eporter@calstatela.edu Web: https://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/edith-porter

Amelia Russo-Neustadt, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 1999 Ph.D., 1988, M.D., 1990, University of California, Irvine Research:  Neurophysiology of the Brain Office:  ASCL 217, ext: 3-2074 E-mail:  arusson@calstatela.edu Web:  http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/arusson

Tina Salmassi, Ph.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 2002 Ph.D., 2001, California Institute of Technology Research:  Environmental Microbiology Office:  ASCL 214, ext: 3-2065 E-mail:  tsalmas@calstatela.edu Web:  http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/tsalmas

Christine Scoffoni, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, joined faculty in 2017 Ph.D., 2014, University of California, Los Angeles Research:  Plant Physiology, Anatomy, Ecology, and Evolution Office:  ASCR 323B, ext: 3-2059 E-mail: cscoffo@calstatela.edu Web:  www.scoffonilab.com

Sandra Sharp, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, joined faculty in 1986 Ph.D., 1981, University of California, Los Angeles Research:  Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms of Development Office:  ASCL 212, ext: 3-5857 E-mail:  ssharp@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/ssharp

Elizabeth Torres, Ph.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 1998 Ph.D., 1997, University of California, Los Angeles Research:  Taxonomy & Evolution of Marine Ostracodes Office:  ASCL 313, ext: 3-2179 E-mail:  etorre11@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/etorre11/etorre11.htm

Eric Wood, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, joined faculty in 2015 Ph.D., 2011, University of Wisconsin, Madison Research:  Avian Ecology and Conservation Office:  ASCL 312, ext: 3-2055 E-mail:  EricMWood@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.ericmwood.org

Alexandra Wright, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, joined faculty in 2017 Ph.D., 2013, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Research:  Plant Community Ecology, Ecophysiology Office:  ASCL 315, ext: 3-2065 E-mail: awrigh20@calstatela.edu  Web: https://sashajwright.wixsite.com/wrightlab

Howard Xu, Ph.D.

Professor, joined faculty in 2004 Ph.D., 1992, University of Minnesota Research:  Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Office:  ASCL 356, ext: 3-2188 E-mail:  hxu3@calstatela.edu Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/research/hxu3

Katrina Yamazaki, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, joined faculty in 2011 Ph.D., 2009, University of California, San Diego Research:  Cardiovascular Metabolism Office:  ASCL 215, ext: 3-2086 E-mail:  kyamaza@calstatela.edu Appointments: https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/7exm3m10

Note: ADM = Administration Building, ASCL = Wallis Annenberg Integrated Science Complex-Wing A (La Kretz Hall), ASCR = Wallis Annenberg Integrated Science Complex-Wing B (Now named Rosser Hall), BS = Biological Sciences, GE = Golden Eagle building. When calling from off-campus, the area code and prefix for all telephone extensions is (323)34X-XXXX.