Students in Science Classroom
Current biological issues within a liberal arts context
Contact us
Preston Aldrich, Ph.D., Chair
LeeAnn Smith, Ph.D., Asst. Chair
Elizabeth Skarr, Office Assistant

By mail
Benedictine University
Birck Hall, Room 348
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532

E-mail
eskarr@ben.edu

Phone
(630) 829-6563

Fax
(630) 829-6547

Hours
10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. - M-F

Biology
Biology Faculty


The BS in Biology is designed to prepare students for graduate study in the biological sciences, for professional study in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, other biomedical specialties and related health careers as well as for careers as high school teachers.

 Preston Aldrich 

  

   

 

Preston R. Aldrich, Ph.D.
Systems Biology

     (630) 829-6519 | paldrich@ben.edu | Birck 341

     Department Chair (2011-present)
     Associate Professor
     BenU faculty since

     Research Molecular Geneticist, USDA Forest Service (2000-2004)
     Post-doc, Smithsonian Institution (1997-1999)
     PhD, University of Georgia, Athens (1997)
     MS, University of Minnesota, St. Paul (1991)
     BA, St. Olaf College (1987)

Research:
Network and Systems Biology; DNA Linguistics; Plant Molecular Ecology; Scientometrics and Philosophy of Science, Wittgenstein
Dr. Aldrich's
research & teaching page

 

  

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Cheryl Heinz, Ph.D., Biology

Cheryl A. Heinz, Ph.D.
Ecology

     (630) 829-6581 | cheinz@ben.edu | Birck 334

     Associate Professor
     BenU faculty since 2004

     Post doc, Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona (2004)
     PhD, Cornell University (2002)
     BS, University of Illinois (1993)

Research:
Plant-insect interactions, behavioral and chemical ecology, butterflies and other insects
Dr. Heinz's
research & teaching page

 

 

 

 


Larry Kamin

Lawrence Kamin, Ph.D.
Biology

     (630) 829-6542 | lkamin@ben.edu | Birck 133
     
     Professor
     BenU faculty since 1980

     Post doc, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1972-1973)
     Ph.D., Plant Physiology, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1972)
     M.S., Botany, Univ. of Illinois at UC (1968)
     M.S., C.I.S., Roosevelt University (1986)
     M.S., Mathematics, Roosevelt University (1993)
     M.G.S., General Studies, Roosevelt University (1997)
     M.A., U.S. History, Roosevelt University (2001)
     M.A., Economics, Roosevelt University, (2003)
     B.A., Biology, St. Ambrose University (1966)
     B.A., Geography, Roosevelt University (1989)

Research:
Biostatistics; Illinois Tallgrass Prairies

Jurica Tallgrass Prairie Project.
Please click here to view photos of the Prairie Project
Dr. Kamin's
research & teaching page

 

 

 

 


Al Martin, PhD

Al Martin, Ph.D.
Biology

     (630) 829-6540 | amartin@ben.edu | Birck 350
     
     Professor
     BenU faculty since 1980

     PhD, The University of Tennessee (1981)
     MS, Tennessee Technological University (1974)
     BS, Wake Forest University (1970)     

Research:reproductive and developmental biology; integration of science with religion and the humanities
Dr. Martin's
research & teaching page

 

 

 

Phil Novack-Gottshall, Ph.D., Biology
 
 
 
 

Phil Novack-Gottshall, Ph.D.
Paleobiology of fossils

     (630) 829-6524 | pnovack-gottshall@ben.edu | Birck 332

     Assistant Professor
     BenU faculty since 2009

     PhD, Duke University (2004)
     MS, University of Cincinnati (1999)
     BS, Moravian College (1996)

Research:
paleobiology; comparative paleoecology; body size evolution and macroecology; morphometrics; marine invertebrates
Dr. Novack-Gottshall's
research & teaching page

 

   

 

 

 

 


Robin Rylaarsdam   
 
 
 

Robin Rylaarsdam, Ph.D.
Cell and Molecular Biology

     (630) 829-6522 | rrylaarsdam@ben.edu | Birck 320

     Associate Professor
     BenU faculty since 2007

     Research Associate, Northwestern       
     University/Children's Memorial Hospital (1999-2000)
     Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Chicago (1997-1999)
     PhD, Northwestern University (1997)
     BS, Northwestern College (IA) (1992)
    

Research:
Molecular Pharmacology; G-protein Coupled Receptor Signaling Pathways in Disease; Evolution and Evangelicals
Dr. Ryallarsdam's
research & teaching page

 

  

 

 

 

 

LeeAnn Smith

Lee Ann Smith, Ph.D.
Moleculary Neurobiology

     (630) 829-6525 | lsmith@ben.edu | Birck 340

     Assistant Department Chair (2011-present)
     BenU faculty since 2004

     PhD, University of Connecticut Health Center (2004)
     BS, Benedictine University (1998)

Research:
Aging, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Drosophila, RNA Processing
Dr. Smith's
research & teaching page

 

 

 

 

 

Monica Tischler, Ph.D., Biology

Monica L. Tischler, Ph.D.
Microbiology, Environmental Science

     (630) 829-6536 | mtischler@ben.edu | Birck 333

     Chair, Health Sciences Recommendations Committee
     Professor
     BenU faculty since 1995

     Science Applications International Corporation (1991-1995)
     Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1989-1991)
     University of Tennessee (1987-1989)
     PhD, Cornell University (1987)
     MS, Bucknell University (1981)
     BS, Bucknell University (1981)

Research:
microbial ecology
Dr. Tischler's
research & teaching page

 

 

 

 


Allison Wilson

Allison Wilson, Ph.D.
Physiology, Cell Biology 

     (630) 829-6520 | awilson@ben.edu | Birck 327

     Director, Science Content and Process Master's Program
     Director,  New Faculty Mentoring Program and
 Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence 
     Professor
     BenU Faculty since (1997)

     Argonne National Laboratory (1993-1998)
     Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Chicago (1990-1992)
     PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago (1990)
     BS, Iowa State University (1980)

Research:
Cellular Physiology of Environmental Estrogens on Bone Cells
Dr. Wison's
research & teaching page