Dear Carroll College Biology and Environmental Science Alumni and Supporters:
It has been several years since we sent an update letter to our alumni and supporters. The biology and environmental science department has grown over the past few years and we wanted to update you on the faculty you know and the faculty you may not yet have met. There are currently eight biological and environmental science faculty.
Biology and Environmental Science Faculty
Travis Almquist, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Department Chair, Biology
Dr. Travis Almquist joined the faculty at Carroll College in 2016. He teaches classes in botany, ecology and global climate change.
Dr. Almquist conducts research with our undergraduate students on the biology and ecology of Japanese hops, an invasive species in North America. He has implemented course-based research experiences examining the effects of habitat disturbances on bitterroots (the Montana state flower) and the control and management of non-native plants in Montana.
Ashley Beck, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Genetics
Dr. Ashley Beck joined the faculty at Carroll College in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic. She teaches courses in genetics, cell biology, and evolutionary
analysis.
Dr. Beck conducts research with our undergraduate students focusing on the genomic potential of environmental microbial communities using nanopore sequencing and metabolic modeling. Externally funded awards include projects on snow algae, the maize root-associated microbiome, and the effect of urbanization on wildlife health. Several of Dr. Beck’s research students have gone on to present their work at regional and national conferences.
Calvin Goemann, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Microbiology
Dr. Calvin Goemann joined the faculty at Carroll College in 2023. He teaches courses in microbiology. Dr. Goemann graduated from Montana State University where he studied environmental
microbiology.
At Carroll, Dr. Goemann aims to continue studying how to convert green algae into useful biofuels using genetic tools. He is also conducting research studying the harmful cyanobacterial blooms that impact Montana’s water bodies such as Lake Helena and how we can use viruses to reduce bloom growth and the impacts on our community.
Patricia Heiser, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Earth Science
Dr. Patricia Heiser joined the faculty at Carroll College in 2012. She is the Director of the Environmental Program (ES major) and teaches courses in geology, climate science, landscape analysis, and soils. She also teaches field courses such as Missouri River Exploration, Yellowstone Winter Ecology, and Desert Ecology.
Dr. Heiser directs student research projects ranging from climate signals in tree rings, fire history from charcoal in lake sediments, and a new externally funded project reconstructing paleoclimate from lake sediment records. Dr. Heiser’s upper level courses all include field-based research projects including studies on metals in Lake Helena sediments, reconstruction of paleo ice caps in the Flint Range, and tree encroachment in alpine meadows. Most of her research thesis students present their work at regional or national professional meetings.
Grant Hokit, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate, Biology
Dr. Grant Hokit joined the faculty at Carroll College in 1996. He teaches courses in zoology,
conservation biology, statistics and geographic information systems. He also teaches immersive field courses in the Environmental Science Program including Winter Ecology in Yellowstone, Tropical Ecology and Desert Ecology. He now serves as the advisor for pre-med and pre-dental students.
Dr. Hokit conducts research with our undergraduates on wildlife populations and on the surveillance of zoonotic disease. For the past 15 years, his students have analyzed the distribution of West Nile Virus in bird and mosquito populations. An introduction to his project can be found by visiting the link, West Nile Virus in Montana.
Stephanie Otto-Hitt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biology
Dr. Stefanie Otto-Hitt joined the faculty at Carroll College in 2011. She teaches courses in the areas of cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, and neuroscience. She is also the co-director of the neuroscience minor program here at Carroll.
Dr. Otto-Hitt conducts research with our undergraduate students to understand how environmental factors impact organisms at the level of gene expression and behavior. Dr. Otto-Hitt has implemented several course-based research experiences, including lab experiences in both molecular biology and neuroscience, and advanced research experiences in both molecular biology and neuroscience. Dr. Otto-Hitt is also the lead investigator for the Wastewater Surveillance Program for Lewis and Clark County; information regarding this work can be found on the COVID-19 HUB for Lewis and Clark County.
Brandon Sheafor, Ph.D.
Professor, Biology
Dr. Brandon Sheafor joined the faculty at Carroll College in 2010. He is the James J. Manion Distinguished Chair in Biology. He teaches courses in the areas of animal physiology, zoology, and comparative anatomy.
Dr. Sheafor conducts research with our undergraduate students on the susceptibility and resistance of amphibians to the fungal skin disease chytridiomycosis. Dr. Sheafor has implemented course-based research experiences examining a variety of topics such as the use of metabolomics to identify symbiotic relationships between tadpole shrimp and algae, the interactions between circadian rhythms and intermittent fasting on lipid metabolism, and the effects of UVB and arsenic exposure on metabolic rate and oxidative stress in amphibians.
Course-based Research is Foundational to the Value Proposition of Carroll College
Course-based research is foundational to the value proposition of Carroll College because it equips all of our students with the knowledge and skills to tackle the real-world challenges they will face after graduating. These challenges will most likely be open-ended, loosely-defined, and multi-disciplinary, and employers are looking for students with the skills and knowledge to address these challenges creatively. Course-based research provides all students with structured opportunities for project design and execution, proposal writing, and communication of results to the broader Carroll community at the Student Undergraduate Research Festival.
"I loved my course-based research experience in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience last semester. I learned how to collaborate with my peers about unexplored avenues of research and treasured the process of inventing new ways to study genes in Drosophila melanogaster. The Advanced Research Experience (ARE) allowed me to practice a greater amount of autonomy in my studies, and I would absolutely recommend the class to any student!" ~ Alyssa Gnoyski, Biology, Class of 2023
The research conducted by the Biology, Environmental Science, and Chemistry faculty at Carroll College is unique because it is student-centered. We design projects to help students grow as people and scientists, and start on a path to contributing to the treasury of human knowledge. We are directly supporting the mission of the college by “Instilling an enduring wonder for knowledge that will prepare students for leadership and their chosen vocations.” Because research is such an important educational tool, we not only conduct independent summer research with students but we have also incorporated it into classes across our curriculum.
"The course-based research in the Integrated Lab gave me the unique opportunity to participate in graduate level research projects under the guidance of Carroll College professors. The interdisciplinary nature of the course provided me with a broad base of technical skills while allowing me the freedom to develop and implement scientific ideas in all facets of chemistry. Additionally, I believe the ability for students to take ownership over projects provides an excellent professional foundation for integrity, collaboration, and knowledge management; all of which are applicable in future careers." ~ Kelby Depner, Chemistry, Class of 2017
The faculty at Carroll College incorporate research experiences directly in our curriculum because research experiences have been shown to result in a statistically significant increase in student learning outcomes, improved understanding of STEM concepts, and gains in positive attitudes towards science. Notably, course-based research has also been shown to result in an increase in persistence for non-traditional and underrepresented minority student STEM majors, which is another important way faculty support the college’s mission of “Serving all with humility, especially our neighbors who are poor and marginalized.” Course-based research is distinct from our traditional summer-based research in the number of students it impacts. By codifying research into our curriculum we ensure that all students experience the benefits of research.
"While lectures taught me content and labs elucidated technique, course-based research fostered my confidence in applying previously learned techniques, problem-solving in developing new procedures, and creativity in approaching and presenting the experiment to peers and mentors. I’m thankful for student undergraduate course-based research because my team’s laughter accompanied as many failures as successes, and it’s hard to imagine developing my personal research style any other way." ~ Julianna Breit, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Class of 2023
These course-based research experiences complement our existing student-centered and supportive departmental cultures. Students are contributing to research projects across our curriculum in courses like:
- The Integrated Lab (CH 411-412)
- Organic Chemistry Lab - Second semester (CH 302L)
- Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (CH 390)
- Advanced Research Experience in Animal Physiology (BI 394)
- Advanced Research Experience in Plant Ecology (BI 390)
- Advanced Research Experience in Molecular Biology (BI 391)
- Advanced Research Experience in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience (BI 392)
- Advanced Research Experience in Cellular Mechanotransduction (BI 393)
- Lab Experience in Molecular Biology (BI 329L)
- Lab Experience in Neuroscience (BI 369L)
- Lab Experience in Evolutionary Analysis (BI 370L)
Carroll’s motto: Non scholae sed vitae, translated, "Not for school, but for life" is a constant reminder that we must prepare our students to enter the workforce ready to tackle the actual challenges posed by their chosen disciplines. The Biological and Environmental Science Department, in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA), is working to create new endowed faculty chair positions to fund student research experiences and conference travel. The endowed faculty professorships will allow us to increase the number and quality of student research experiences we provide both in and outside of the classroom.
You can help provide these impactful opportunities for students just like Alyssa, Kelby, and Julianna. To learn more about supporting student research opportunities and student scholarships, or creating an endowed faculty professorship, please visit our Development site.
Keeping Updated on News from Us
We are extremely grateful for the outreach and engagement we have seen from our alumni and supporters. Many of the transformative experiences we provide our students are made possible through your generosity. We also appreciate your feedback, insights, and ideas, which are important for the future success of our programs. Please feel free to reach out to any of us via email.
Sincerely,
The Carroll College Biological and Environmental Sciences Faculty