Outside view of inside a physiology lab

Biology Department

What We Do:

We promote an engaging culture of excellence in teaching and research to ensure our students are active participants in the learning process. Visit our Biology Blog for first-hand experiences of our students, graduates, and faculty.

Our goal is to transform our students into scholars who are deeply committed to the process of independent learning through inquiry. With one-on-one interaction with our faculty, our students gain in-depth experience in the process of science, learn laboratory techniques, as well as share in the excitement of scientific discovery.

How We Stand Out:

  • Small classes foster close collaboration between students and faculty.
  • Dynamic learning environment with accomplished professors whose enthusiasm for biology is infectious.
  • Laboratory courses in the state-of-the art Loyola Science Center integrate independent research and inquiry.
  • Values-based education based on Jesuit principles. 
  • Mission to nurture students of competence, conscience and compassion.

Programs:

  • Biology - Biology is the study of the living things, with particular regard to origin, evolution, structure, and behavior. Students in the major study plants and animals as well as bacteria and viruses. Through one-on-one interaction with our faculty, our students gain in-depth experience in the process of science, learn laboratory techniques, as well as share in the excitement of scientific discovery.
  • Physiology - Physiology is a branch of biology that focuses on the functions of organisms. Students receive robust foundations in anatomy and physiology and cellular and integrative physiology, as well as in cutting-edge investigational techniques that characterize modern day physiological research.

Meet Our Faculty:

The Biology faculty at The University of Scranton maintain a strong commitment to teaching and research excellence. They also are committed to making students active participants in the learning and research processes. As a result of our philosophy and of our small class sizes, our faculty become well acquainted with our students, and we encourage interested students to become involved in all aspects of faculty research.

In addition, faculty are involved in all aspects of campus life: academics, scholarship, student affairs, and other extracurricular activities.

For many faculty members, their passion for Biology stems from a personal experience that has shaped their scholarship. For example, Dr. Janice Voltzow grew up on the Florida Gulf Coast where she collected seashells during her childhood. Today, her research involves marine snails. You can read all about it here

It is fascinating to see the amazing diversity of animals, and to examine the different ways that animals function and the structures that enable these functions.

Dr. Janice Voltzow, Professor of Biology

Janice Voltzow, Ph.D.

Janice Voltzow, Ph.D.

Chair

Professor; Department Chair

B.S., Yale University
Ph.D., Duke University

Phone: (570) 941-4378
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Joe C. Brague, Ph.D.

Joe C. Brague, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.S., The University of Scranton
Ph.D., Lehigh University

Phone: (570) 941-4076
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Timothy Cadigan, S.J., Ph.D.

Timothy Cadigan, S.J., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.S., St. Louis University
M.Div., Th.M. Weston School of Theology
M.S., Ph.D., Georgetown University

Phone: (570) 941-4348
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Ashley Driver, Ph.D.

Ashley Driver, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Phone: (570) 941-4536
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Vincent Farallo, Ph.D.

Vincent Farallo, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.S., John Carroll University
M.S., Texas State University, San Marcos
Ph.D., Ohio University

Phone: (570) 941-4294
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Website

Spencer Galen, Ph.D.

Spencer Galen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.S., University of Delaware
M.S., University of New Mexico
Ph.D., Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History

Phone: (570) 941-6617
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Website

Tara Hamilton-Fay, M.S.

Tara Hamilton-Fay, M.S.

Faculty Specialist

B.S., University of Massachusetts
M.S., University of Colorado

Phone: (570) 941-4395
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Website
Internal Website

Christopher Howey, Ph.D.

Christopher Howey, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

B.S., University of Delaware
M.S., University of Central Arkansas
Ph.D., Ohio University

Phone: (570) 941-7544
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Website

David Ingber, Ph.D.

David Ingber, Ph.D.

Faculty Specialist

B.S., State University of New York at Oswego
M.S., Iowa State University
Ph.D., University of Delaware

Phone: ‭(570) 941-5449‬
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Bibi Rafeiza Khan, Ph.D.

Bibi Rafeiza Khan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.S., University of Guyana
M.S., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
Ph.D., University of Missouri - St. Louis

Phone: (570) 941-7713
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Cara A. Krieg, Ph.D.

Cara A. Krieg, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.A., Grinnell College
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Phone: ‭(570) 941-4823‬
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Gary Kwiecinski, Ph.D.

Gary Kwiecinski, Ph.D.

Professor

B.S., Cornell University
M.S., Rutgers University
Ph.D., Cornell University

Phone: (570) 941-6387
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Amelia Randich, Ph.D.

Amelia Randich, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.A., Grinnell College
Ph.D., University of Chicago

Phone: (570) 941-5856
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Website

Anne Royer, Ph.D.

Anne Royer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.A., Oberlin College
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Phone: (570) 941-7469
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Website

Marc Seid, Ph.D.

Marc Seid, Ph.D.

Professor

B.S., M.S., Brigham Young University
Ph.D., Boston University

Phone: (570) 941-7970
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Robert Smith, Ph.D.

Robert Smith, Ph.D.

Professor; Environmental Science Program Co-Director

B.S., Alma College
M.S., Central Michigan University
Ph.D., The University of Southern Mississippi

Phone: (570) 941-6581
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Website

Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D.

Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

B.S., Dankook University, Korea
M.S., Western Illinois University
Ph.D., Texas A&M University

Phone: (570) 941-6216
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Website

Maria Squire, Ph.D.

Maria Squire, Ph.D.

Professor

B.S., The University of Scranton
M.S., Ph.D., Stony Brook University

Phone: (570) 941-4742
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Terrence Sweeney, Ph.D., FAPS

Terrence Sweeney, Ph.D., FAPS

Professor; Physiology Program Director

B.A., Colgate University
M.S., Ph.D., University of Rochester

Phone: (570) 941-7623
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Website

Robert Waldeck, Ph.D.

Robert Waldeck, Ph.D.

Associate Professor; Neuroscience Program Director

B.A., Lehigh University
M.P.A., University of Delaware
M.A., Ph.D., Temple University

Phone: (570) 941-4324
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Website

Inside the Classroom:

  • Rigorous academics
  • Project-based learning
  • Faculty-mentored research opportunities

Our small class sizes allow students close personal interaction with our faculty, allowing close collaboration in the learning environments and instruction directed towards the individual student.

Many of our laboratory courses integrate independent research and inquiry, allowing students to be active participants in the learning process.

Student Research:

We firmly believe that research is a critical and integral part of the educational process. The faculty of the Biology Department is deeply committed to involving students in their research endeavors.

Students work hand-in-hand with faculty collaborators. Students are also encouraged to attend and participate in local and national scientific meetings and conferences, allowing them to hone their scientific communication skills as well as network with other students and scientists from around the globe.

Career Outcomes:

You’ll find Scranton biology graduates working in diverse fields such as:

  • Healthcare (e.g., doctors, dentists, EMT)
  • Education (e.g., elementary, secondary, universities)
  • Pharmaceutical sales
  • Biotechnology
  • Government (e.g., USDA, US Fish & Wildlife, Game Commission)
  • Public utilities (e.g., water, power)

With our Jesuit educational philosophy of developing the “whole person,” we provide graduates with the flexibility to pursue opportunities in non-science related fields as well.  Here are examples of other occupations of recent graduates:

  • Law school
  • Management positions
  • Self-employed/start your own business
  • Writers 
  • Military service
  • Social services (for example, working with the City of Philadelphia)
  • Ecotourism travel agent/guide

For more information about what you can do with a Biology degree, click here