ABOUT DR. GRANT GARDNER
I received my B.S. in Biological Sciences from Vanderbilt University where I studied speciation and ecological specialization of Neochlamisus bebbianae beetles. I received my M.S. in Zoology from North Carolina State University where I studied sexual selection and histology in two species of Orthopterans. I received my Ph.D. in Science Education Research from North Carolina State University where I studied issues of teaching and learning related to the socioscientific issue of biotechnology.
My favorite aspects of my current job are teaching and mentoring. I enjoy enacting evidence-based instruction in my own classroom to help develop a love for biology in my undergraduate students. I also highly value mentoring a team of education research scholars in implementing projects.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, running, playing ultimate frisbee, road-trips and spending time outdoors hiking, camping, or exploring especially with my family.
Alyssa Freeman
Ph.D. Biology Education
Biology Faculty and GTA Autonomy & Instructional Professional Development
Eric Akuoko
Your Image Could be Here
Your Project Could be Here
Heather Green
Ph.D. Biology Education
K-16 Biology Instructor Professional Development
Former Post-Docs & Graduate Students
(First or current faculty positions)
Dr. Eric Akuoko, Post-doctoral Researcher (2025). Departmental cultural commitments to graduate student teaching professional development, Assistant Professor of Curriculum & Instruction, St. John's University.
Brock Couch, Ph.D. Biology Education (2022). Using network analysis to understand the intersection between small group dynamics and socioscientific issues, Biology Instructor, Loyala University - Maryland
Olena James, Ph.D. Biology Education (2022). Exploring biology instructors' technological pedagogical content knowledge, Biology Instructor, Belmont University.
Zhigang "Jacob" Jia, Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Education (2021). Science international teaching assistants' development of cultural competence and teaching self-efficacy, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Trinity Washington U. / Science Instructor, District of Columbia Public School System.
Zach Grimes, Ph.D. Biology Education (2021). A mixed methods evaluation of anxiety antecedents related to biology content among K-16 educators, Assistant Professor of Science, Crowley's Ridge College.
Angela Google, Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Education (2020). Examining undergraduate students' approaches to learning biology with an emphasis on women of color, Post-Doctoral Researcher, U. Southern Alabama / Assistant Professor, Biology, U. of Rhode Island.
Joshua Reid, Ph.D. Biology Education (2020). Biology graduate students' perceptions and experiences of the research-teaching nexus. Post-Doctoral Researcher, TN STEM Education Center at MTSU / Assistant Professor, Biology, Texas Tech University
Jennifer Parrish, Ph.D. Biology Education (2017). Teacher professional growth for nature of science and scientific inquiry: Promoting reflection to improve understanding and practices. Assistant Professor of Biology/Science Education, U. of Northern Colorado.
Mary Ellen Lohr, Ph.D. Biology Education (2017). Examination of undergraduate biology professors' views of the nature of scientific knowledge and their pedagogical content knowledge for teaching the nature of scientific knowledge. Assistant Professor of Biology, Southeast Missouri St. U. (SEMO).
Angelique Troelstrop, Ph.D. Biology Education (2016). Understanding undergraduate majors' conceptual knowledge of ecology: Progressions and misconceptions. Biology Instructor, Motlow State Community College and MTSU.
Jeff Bonner, Ph.D. Biology Education (2016). Adopting reform-based pedagogy in post-secondary microbiology education. High School Biology Teacher, The Webb School, Bell Buckle, TN.
Sandra Lampley, Ph.D. Biology Education (2015). Exploring pedagogical content knowledge of graduate teaching assistants through their participation in lesson study. Assistant Professor of Curriculum & Instruction, U. of Alabama-Huntsville.
Kristi Walters, M.S. Biology (2014). Using student motivation to design groups in a non-majors biology course for team-based collaborative learning: Impacts on knowledge, views, attitudes and perceptions. Primary educator and founder of Big Bear Science.
Former Undergraduate Students
2024/2025 Academic Year: Wren Lawson, Beari Jangir, Aliya Nurhussein
2023/2024 Academic Year: Wren Lawson, Marco Rafat, Beari Jangir, Abanoub Armanious, Eliza Anin-Mensah
2022/2023 Academic Year: Wren Lawson, Marco Rafat
2022/2023 Academic Year: Wren Lawson, Chelsea Rolle, Kadence Riggs
2021/2022 Academic Year: Wren Lawson
2020/2021 Academic Year: Eshan Patel, Brinley Vinson, Miranda Moore
2019/2020 Academic Year: Eshan Patel, Brinley Vinson, Harshil Patel
2018/2019 Academic Year: Dirhat Mohammed, Eshan Patel