Faculty
Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.
Department Chair
Amy Dykstra
Professor of Biological Sciences | a-b-dykstra@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Dykstra's research interests include the ecology, conservation, and population genetics of native plants. She collaborates with the Echinacea Project to study narrow-leaved purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), a native prairie plant. Recently, Dykstra's students have been studying the use of goats to control invasive buckthorn.
Faculty
Melissa Cordes
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences | m-cordes@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Dr. Cordes is interested in the neural integration of social cues and communication in European starlings as well as the possible rewarding properties of androgens.
Ellis Doan
Professor of Biological Sciences | j-doan@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Dr. Doan's main research interests are in the area of macrophage activation. Macrophages are multifunctional leukocytes that constitute a major first line of defense against infection. Resting macrophages are phagocytic, but macrophages activated by both intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli acquire a broad range of functions ranging from the release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, cytokine secretion, upregulated phagocytosis, and the ability to participate in the activation of adaptive . . . read more.
Brent Hoernemann
Laboratory and Safety Coordinator | brent-hoernemann@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Hoernemann supervises teaching assistants, oversees greenhouse and animal facilities, maintains equipment, and supplies materials for the department.
Brian Hyatt
Professor of Biological Sciences | b-hyatt@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2003
Hyatt's research interests include developmental genetics of early lung development.
Abbie Marten
Instructor of Biological Sciences | ae-reynen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Instructor of Biological Sciences
Brittany Nairn
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences | brittany-nairn@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Professor Nairn teaches in the Biological Sciences department.
Jeffrey Port
Professor of Biological Sciences | jport@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
Recent research topics include the use of restored prairies by grassland songbirds, small mammals and insects, and reproductive biology and natural history of Ecuadorian cloudforest songbirds. Dr. Port also is a federally licensed master bird bander and operates a MAPS (www.birdpop.org/pages/maps.php) station in cooperation with Anoka County in the Rum River Central Park during the summer months.
Paula Soneral
Professor of Biological Sciences | p-soneral@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Soneral's research interests include cell motility and the cytoskeleton and regulation of motor proteins in cilia/flagellar assembly.
Jackie Towner
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences | j-towner@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Sara Wyse
Professor of Biological Sciences | s-wyse@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Professor of Biological Sciences College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Development Coordinator
Adjunct Faculty
Beth Keister
Adjunct Instructor of Biological Sciences | bak52469@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Adjunct Instructor of Biological Sciences
Ann O'Neill
Adjunct Instructor of Biological Sciences | amo88393@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
O'Neill is an adjunct instructor in the Biological Sciences department.
Faith Schumann
Adjunct Instructor of Biological Sciences | fas42587@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Adjunct Instructor of General Studies
Leann Snow
Adjunct Instructor of Biological Sciences | lms87849@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Adjunct Instructor of Biological Sciences
Jim Stern
Adjunct Instructor of Biological Sciences | jms84372@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
I have taught courses in biology, animal behavior, environmental science, and earth science. I thrive on any adventures that include encounters with wildlife, geologic events, or environmental issues. I have 32 years of teaching experience and enjoy teaching these natural sciences to students from middle school age through adult.
Jeffrey Winter
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences | jdw68786@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Professor Winter teaches as an adjunct instructor within the Biology department.
Brandon Burbach
Adjunct Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences | b-burbach@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Emeritus/Emerita Faculty
Bryan Anderson
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | andbry@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1991
Professor Anderson's research interests include water remediation, fossil excavation, forest and management.
Teresa DeGolier
Professor of Biological Sciences Emerita | t-degolier@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1994
DeGolier's research interests include smooth muscle physiology and pharmacology in vitro, peptide regulation of gastrointestinal, uterine, and vascular smooth muscle motility, and the use of herbs in alternative medicine.
Gregg Johnson
Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | g-johnson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1975
Johnson's research interests include genetic toxicology, sister chromatid exchange, and behavioral responses in animals to hormonal and chemical stimuli.
Ian Johnston
Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | i-johnston@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988
Johnston's research interests include microbial landscapes on the surfaces of reef-coral tissues in relation to coral disease, stewardship of coral reefs, and interactions between science and Christian faith.
Patricia Paulson
Professor of Biological Sciences Emerita | patricia-paulson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Paulson focuses her research on trustworthy practices for teaching and learning, focusing specifically on integrating scientific practices. She has led the GEMS program, coordinated the STEM program, and taught Life Science Concepts, Applied STEM Practices, and Science Curriculum and Methods at all levels. With the completion of her phased in retirement in June 2020, Paulson serves as an adjunct instructor in the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program, teaching the Curriculum and Inst. . . read more.
Kenneth Petersen
Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | k-petersen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2003
Petersen's research interests include responses of wildlife populations and communities to habitat alterations.
James Reynhout
Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | j-reynhout@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1980
Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus
Timothy Shaw
Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | t-shaw@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1985
Shaw's research interests include development of chick nervous system, the brain and feeding behavior, relationships between the structure of the brain and behavior, progress in new clinical treatment options, and the biology of morality.