Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Mark L. Fink, Chair
Debbie M. Johnson, Fiscal Manager
Ruth H. Holliday, Laboratory and Research Specialist

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Longwood provides fundamental training for students interested in biological science, environmental science, geography, and earth science. Students interested in biology can earn a bachelor’s degree or a minor. Students interested in environmental science can pursue a bachelor’s degree or a minor. The Department also offers minors in geography and earth science as well as a Clinical Lab Sciences Program, and teaching licensure for 6-12 Biology.

The Department further contributes to the university’s mission of developing Citizen Leaders through its commitment to coursework in multiple goals in the General Education program as well as the curriculum in Liberal Studies. In addition to helping students become scientifically literate, the Department seeks to help its students develop both critical and independent thinking skills through coursework and student research opportunities.

The Department’s commitment to excellence in the major and minor programs as well as its contributions to General Education and Liberal Studies is evident in its commitment to institutional assessment. Senior biology majors are required to take a comprehensive achievement test appropriate for their major. The purpose of the test, given in both the spring and fall terms, is to assess the progress of the majors and the effectiveness of the program. Additionally, courses contributing to the university’s General Education program are assessed each semester.

Biology Program

Faculty

Binaya Adhikari, PhD, Lecturer of Biology
Consuelo J. Alvarez, PhD, Professor of Biology
Amorette E. Barber, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology
Dale L. Beach, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology
Benjamin K. Campbell, PhD, Assistant Professor of Science Education
Randy L. Durren, MS, Lecturer of Biology
Alix D. Dowling Fink, PhD, Professor of Biology
Mark L. Fink, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology, Department Chair
Kenneth Fortino, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
R. Adam Franssen, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology
Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Brandon E. Jackson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Dina M. Leech, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology
Mary E. Lehman, PhD, Professor of Biology, Biology Program Coordinator
Bjoern C. Ludwar, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology, Director of Health Pre-Professional Programs
Erin K. Shanle, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Denis Trubitsyn, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Wade A. Znosko, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology

Clinical Lab Science Programs

Faculty

Bjoern C. Ludwar, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology, Director of Health Pre-Professional Programs

Integrated Environmental Sciences Program

Faculty

Benjamin K. Campbell, PhD, Assistant Professor of Science Education
Kathy DeBusk Gee, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Sciences Program Coordinator
Alix D. Dowling Fink, PhD, Professor of Biology
Mark L. Fink, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology, Department Chair
Kenneth Fortino, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Joseph E. Garcia, PhD, Professor of Geography and Earth Science
David S. Hardin, PhD, Associate Professor of Geography
Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Edward L. Kinman, PhD, Professor of Geography
Christopher F. Labosier, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
Dina M. Leech, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology
Mary E. Lehman, PhD, Professor of Biology
Leslie E. Straker, PhD, Lecturer of Environmental Science
Walter R. T. Witschey, PhD, Professor of Anthropology and Science Education

Earth Science and Geography Programs

Faculty

Kathy DeBusk Gee, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences
Joseph E. Garcia, PhD, Professor of Geography and Earth Science
David S. Hardin, PhD, Associate Professor of Geography
Edward L. Kinman, PhD, Professor of Geography
Christopher F. Labosier, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
Walter R. T. Witschey, PhD, Professor of Anthropology and Science Education

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor