Faculty & Staff

Rika Anderson ’06 is an environmental microbiologist interested in how microbes and their viruses evolve, adapt, and diversify. She is currently using bioinformatics approaches to investigate how marine microorganisms evolve in response to the extreme environment of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. She is particularly interested in understanding what this can teach us about the origin and early evolution of life on our planet. She teaches Genomics and Bioinformatics and part of Introductory Biology.

Raka Mitra is a molecular and cellular biologist interested in the interactions between plants and microbes. Her lab studies bacterial pathogens of plant roots with the goal of understanding disease development and plant defense. Current lab projects involve elucidating the role of bacterial effector proteins in pathogenesis of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Professor Mitra teaches courses in Microbial Pathology, Cell Biology, and part of Introductory Biology.

Sarah Deel is trained as an invertebrate biologist with a focus on endosymbiotic relationships in marine invertebrates. She is interested in how students best learn new concepts and skills in biology, and in how students utilize research experiences to deepen their understanding of biology. At Carleton, she has been involved with laboratory sections of Intro Biology, Animal Physiology, and Genetics. Currently she is developing, preparing, and teaching labs for Intro Biology I: Energetics and Genetics (Biol 125).

Daniel Hernandez is an ecosystem ecologist researching the effects of changes in plant communities (from disturbance, herbivory, and loss of biodiversity) on carbon and nutrient cycling in savannas and grasslands. Current research includes investigating the consequences of nitrogen deposition and cattle grazing on serpentine grasslands in California and the role of mammalian herbivores in the structure and function of restored prairies in the Arb. He teaches courses on Ecosystems Ecology, Global Change Biology, Grassland Ecology, and Introductory Biology.

Fernan Jaramillo is a neurobiologist interested in sensory systems, the neuromuscular synapse, and the neurobiology of zebrafish. He teaches Neurobiology, Human Physiology, and a Neuroscience seminar.

Mark McKone is an evolutionary ecologist, pursues research on the interactions between insects and plants. Particular interests include the pollinator community of prairie composites and the evolutionary impact of pre-dispersal seed predators of grasses. He teaches Evolution, Population Ecology, Evolution of Sex and Sexes, and part of Introductory Biology.

Matt Rand, a vertebrate reproductive biologist, studies the hormonal mediation and function of sexually dimorphic traits. Currently he is looking at the role of genes in determining pigment differences in Sceloporus lizards. He teaches Animal Physiology, Vertebrate Morphology, a seminar on Behavioral Genetics, part of Introductory Biology, and a non-majors course that explores the biological basis of reproduction and sexuality in Humans.

Debby Walser-Kuntz is an immunologist interested in the role the immune system plays in the development of autoimmune disorders and the potential impact on this process of environmental contaminants. We are testing how a common plastic component, bisphenol A, affects immune cell activation and cytokine responses. She teaches Immunology, Microbiology, part of Introductory Biology, a seminar on Topics in Virology and Methods of Teaching Science.

Stephan Zweifel is a geneticist and molecular biologist, is examining the replication and segregation of mitochondrial DNA in the yeast S. cerevisiae. His lab is interested in identifying and characterizing the nuclear genes responsible for the proper transmission of the mitochondrial genome. He teaches Genetics, Molecular Biology, part of Introductory Biology, and a seminar on Behavioral Genetics.

Nancy Braker (BA Carleton; MS University of Minnesota – Entomology) is a conservation biologist. She has 20 years of experience working for The Nature Conservancy in land management, conservation planning, and monitoring of rare species populations, specializing in management of fire adapted natural communities. Nancy oversees all aspects of management of the Cowling Arboretum and McKnight Prairie, and works with faculty, students and outside users on research and use of the properties.

Shawn is a cell biologist who has an unhealthy fascination with microscopy.  His interests have led him to previous work on cellular adhesion, phototoxicity in fluorescence microscopy, and a survey book chapter on microscopy techniques.  As the former chair of a national postdoctoral subcommittee, he also enjoys talking about career options both inside and out of the scientific community.  He is responsible for maintenance of all of the department’s scientific equipment, as well as coordinating reagent preparation and distribution to the faculty — with lots of student help!

Randy has a BA in Geology from Gustavus Adolphus College and both an MA in Anthropology and MS in Plant Sciences from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the Biology department at Carleton in 2009, he had over 20 years of research and commercial experience in plant propagation,hydroponic growing and greenhouse production.  Randy serves as supervisor of the biology greenhouse, zebrafish lab, and animal colony facility. Current research interests include testing new lighting systems, propagation of rare plants,and development of improved hydroponic/aeroponic systems growing systems.

David Hougen-Eitzman (St. Olaf College, BA; Duke University, PhD) teaches entomology and introductory biology, as well as an agroecology class that visits China. He is Farm Club’s adviser and is conducting research on sustainable agriculture.

Gary Wagenbach, an invertebrate zoologist worked on the population biology of threatened freshwater mussels in regional rivers. He taught a variety of courses during his 39 years at Carleton including off-campus programs, environmental studies courses, and served a stint as Director of Environmental and Technology Studies. At present he is helping with teacher professional development in a new K-12 school in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Please contact Professor Wagenbach at gwagenba@gmail.com.