Department of Biology

Dr. Marshall Andersen
Professor

Courses: Gross Anatomy, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Embryology, & Histology.

Research interests: Evolution and embryonic development of vertebrate limbs

Phone: (816) 501-4045
Office: SCI 220A
e-mail: marshall.andersen@rockhurst.edu

Dr. Janet Cooper
Associate Professor, Department Chair

Courses: Microbiology, Immunology, Cell Biology, General Biology I,Women and Science, and Biology for the Contemporary Scene

Research Interests: Heat shock protein expression & antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Other Interests: Genealogy & tennis.

Phone: (816) 501-4237
Office: SCI 220E
e-mail: janet.cooper@rockhurst.edu

Faculty Web Page

Dr. Elizabeth I. Evans
Assistant Professor, Veterinarian

Courses: General Physiology, Anatomy and Physiology & Animal Behavior

Research Interests: Animal behavior and welfare of research animals.

Other Interests: Sewing, crafts, music and reading.

Phone: (816) 501-3193
Office: SCI 220G
e-mail: elizabeth.i.evans@rockhurst.edu

Dr. Lisa Felzien
Assistant Professor

Courses: Genetics, Immunology, Molecular Biology & General Biology I.

Research Interests: Chromatin regulation during zebrafish development.

Phone: (816) 501-4046
Office: SCI 220F
e-mail: lisa.felzien@rockhurst.edu

Dr. Mary Haskins
Associate Professor

Courses: General Biology II, Invertebrate Zoology, Ecology, Field Trips, Parasitology &  Advanced Principles

Research Interests: Analysis of the distribution of blister beetles in alfalfa and studies of lichen distribution, Insect/plant interactions, Pollination ecology, Spiders, and Science education.

Other Interests: Community outreach activities including working with home schooled children, Girl Scouts, Lakeside Nature Center and KC Wildlands, Camping, Hiking, Animals, & Debunking pseudo-science.

Phone: (816) 501-4006
Office: SCI 220H
e-mail: mary.haskins@rockhurst.edu

Dr. Ed Kos
Professor Emeritus

Research Interests: Pigmentation in microbes.

Other Interests: Artificial Intelligence & extremophiles.

Phone: (816) 501-4049
Office: SCI 220I
e-mail: edward.kos@rockhurst.edu

Dr. Laura Salem
Assistant Professor

Courses: General Biology I, Biology for the Contemporary Scene & Biotechnology

Research Interests: Host cell factors required for retroviral stability.

Phone: (816) 501-3239
Office: SCI 220F
e-mail: laura.salem@rockhurst.edu

Dr. Chad Scholes
Assistant Professor

Courses: Botany, Environmental Science, Field Trips & General Biology II

Research Interests: Exotic and invasive plant species in native forest and prairie.

Other Interests: Outdoor activities, Boy Scouts, Reading

Phone: (816) 501-4160
Office: SCI 220B
e-mail: chad.scholes@rockhurst.edu

Dr. Mindy Walker
Assistant Professor

Courses: Biology of the Contemporary Scene, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab, Evolution, Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Cell Basis for Anatomy & Physiology, General Biology II, Biology Field Trip

Research Interests: Conservation Biology of Reptiles; Vertebrate Genetics, Systematics, Phylogeography, and Cytogenetics; Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology

Other Interests: Hiking, camping, fieldwork, traveling

Phone: (816) 501-4047
Office: SCI 220C
e-mail: mindy.walker@rockhurst.edu

Dr. George O'Connor--In Memoriam (1940-2004)
Professor

Courses: Honors General Biology, Evolution, Invertebrate Zoology &, Anatomy & Physiology

Research Interests: Insect growth and feeding deterrents

After receiving both his undergraduate and Ph.D from St. Louis University, Dr. O'Connor began his teaching career at Rockhurst. He taught in the Rockhurst Biology Department for 35 yeas.  He was a well-respected and beloved member of the RU faculty.

The family has establised a scholarship fund at Rockhurst in Dr. O'Connor's memory. For Information, contact the Advancement Center at Rockhurst University, 1100 Rockhurst Rd., Kansas City, MO  64110.  (816) 501-4300. http://www.rockhurst.edu/alumni/giving/scholar.asp