Benjamin Donath
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Dean of the School of Science
donath@bvu.edu
B.A., Illinois College in Mathematics and in Philosophy; M.A. in Mathematics, M.S.S. in Statistics, Miami University; Ph.D. coursework in Mathematics, The University of Iowa
Professional Engagement: Professor Donath has interests in cryptography, the history of mathematics and computer science, classical problems in mathematical analysis, Pythagorean triples, the role of mathematics in computer science, and interpolation problems in mathematics. He is an avid reader of current books about and journal articles in mathematics, and routinely incorporates supplementary reading in his upper level mathematics courses. He enjoys writing course materials for his classes, and developing research projects for mathematics students.
Courses: Professor Donath has taught virtually all of the courses in the mathematics curriculum, recently emphasizing Calculus, Foundations of Advanced Mathematics, History of Mathematics, Analysis, Modern Algebra, and Senior Capstone. He also teaches Theory of Computation in the computer science program.
Nathan Backman
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Backman@bvu.edu
B.S. & B.A. in Computer Science and in Mathematics, Whitworth University; Sc.M.& Ph.D. in Computer Science, Brown University; ;
Professional Engagement: Dr. Backman’s research interests include resource scheduling for parallel processing models that perform batch and stream processing using heterogeneous and non-dedicated computing nodes. This research produced the Continuous-MapReduce (C-MR) framework which continuously executes complex workflows of MapReduce jobs to enable stream processing.
An advocate of extracurricular activities, Dr. Backman organizes and hosts algorithmic programming contests and computer security contests which follow a Capture-the-Flag (attack/defense) format. He has served as a judge for the North Central North American region of the ACM’s International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) and has served as a problem writer for the ACM ICPC North American Qualifier.
Courses: Introduction to Computer Programming, Computer Science II, Algorithms, Database Management Systems, Web & Network Programming, Computer Security, Operating Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Competitive Programming, Networks & Distributed Systems, and Computer Science Capstone
Thomas Bonagura
Assistant Professor of Biology
Bonagura@bvu.edu
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Professional Engagement: Dr. Bonagura has acted as a scientific consultant for the Buena Vista County District Attorney’s Office for two cases and remains as a consultant on call for future assistance. Dr. Bonagura maintains an ongoing collaborative research endeavor with the University of Maryland and is pursuing independent research projects related to his interest in steroid hormone receptors and their actions for both personal growth and potential student involvement.
Courses: Life Science with a Human Focus, Cell Biology, Human Physiology, Principles of Biology II, Biology Senior Capstone, Human Reproduction and Development, Endocrinology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Biology Research Experience 200, 300 & 400, Honors courses
Melinda Coogan
Professor of Biology
Coogan@bvu.edu
A.A., Stephens College; B.S., East Carolina University; M.S., Western Illinois University; Ph.D., University of North Texas
Professional Engagement: Research projects have ranged from physiological effects of emerging contaminants on humans and freshwater organisms to flora and fauna community composition studies of hillside prairies, wetlands, and streams from the Midwest USA to the southern tip of Chile. My publication record includes peer-reviewed articles in the field of aquatic toxicology, a NOVA book chapter on aquatic snails, and numerous collaborative student abstracts. My research students have presented at local, national, and international conferences from our region of Iowa to Prague, Czech Republic through involvement with Iowa Academy of Science, Society of Wetland Scientists, and Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Courses: Freshwater Ecology; Ecology; Biological Principles I; Introduction to Human Physiology; Parasitology; Research Experience for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors; Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems; Environmental Chemistry; Introduction to Biological Science Lab; Global Fellows - Chile Travel Prep.
Nasser Dastrange
Professor of Mathematics
DASTRANGE@bvu.edu
B.S., University of Tehran, Iran; M.S., Michigan State University; Ph.D., Oregon State University
Timothy Ehler
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Ehler@bvu.edu
B.S., Buena Vista University; M.A., University of South Dakota; Ph.D., University of Wyoming
James Hampton
Professor of Biology
Hampton@bvu.edu
B.S, M.S., University of Cincinnati; Ph.D., Cornell University
Gail Hartsock
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Hartsock@bvu.edu
B.S., Buena Vista University; Ph.D., Baylor University
Professional Engagement: Recently completed her dissertation in representation theory and algebraic combinatorics, and the associated joint paper with Dr. Markus Hunziker of Baylor University
Courses: Calculus I, II and III, Algebra Review, Elements of Geometry, Foundations of Advanced Mathematics, Senior Capstone, Cryptography, Modern Algebra
Melanie Hauser
Associate Professor of Chemistry
hauser2@bvu.edu
B.S., Pennsylvania State University; M.S., Ph.D.,University of Oregon
Brian Lenzmeier
Professor of Biology
Lenzmeier@bvu.edu
B.A., St. John’s University (MN); Ph.D., Colorado State University
Professional Engagement: Dr. Lenzmeier joined the faculty at BVU in 2003 where he has taught undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. He has published 8 research articles in peer reviewed journals and in 2011 he spent a sabbatical in the Virology and Gene Therapy Department at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Dr. Lenzmeier has twice been named "Faculty of the Year" by the BVU Student Senate and was the 2009 recipient of the George Wythe Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Lenzmeier works with BVU students on a wide range of biomedical research projects, collaborating regularly with scientists at the Mayo Clinic, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences. They work together on projects that range from developing and testing cell-based cancer therapies, to studying enzyme kinetics, to doing projects that help develop a basic understanding of how cells evolve and respond to their environments.
Courses: Biological Principles II, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Cell & Molecular Biology and Virology for science majors. Infectious Diseases, Cancer and Aging, and Life Science with a Human Focus for non-science majors.
Benjamin Maas
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Geology
maas@bvu.edu
B.S., University of Minnesota; M.S., Illinois State University; Ph.D., Louisiana State University
Kristy McClellan
Associate Professor of Biology
McClellan@bvu.edu
B.A, Taylor University; Ph.D., Colorado State University
Kathleen McDaniel
Instructor of Mathematics
McDanielK@bvu.edu
B.S., Rockhurst College; M.A., National College of Education; M.A., Eastern Michigan University
Timothy McDaniel
Assistant Professor of Mathematics & Quantitative Business
McDaniel@bvu.edu
B.S. in Computer Science, Mathematics & Political Science, Rockhurst University; M.S. in Mathematical Statistics, Northwestern University; M.A. in Political Science, The University of Michigan
Professional Engagement: Professor McDaniel is a tenured faculty member with a joint appointment in the Schools of Business and Science. He has been the recipient of the George Wythe Award for Excellence in Teaching and five times elected "Faculty Member of the Year" by students. Professor McDaniel also has an on-going appointment each summer teaching graduate statistics courses at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and at the St. Gallen (Switzerland) University School of Business, and has twice served as a visiting professor at the Uppsala (Sweden) University Department of Political Science. He has led corporate management training sessions in private industry.
Courses: Elementary Applied Statistics, Decision Science, Econometric Analysis, Applied Regression Analysis, various mathematics courses, various international and domestic interim travel courses
Lisa Mellmann
Assistant Professor of Physical Science
mellmann@bvu.edu
B.A., Wartburg College; Ph.D., Montana State University
Professional Engagement: Dr. Mellmann conducts research with BVU science students in biophysics and chemical kinetics. They investigate interactions of hemoglobin with nitric oxide and other biophysical reactions as well as applications of spectroscopy in forensic science. Dr. Mellmann also collaborates with researchers at Montana State University. In addition to research, she engages students in science outreach projects with organizations in the community to foster understanding and joy in learning science.
Courses: Everyday Physics, General Physics I & II, Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Physics Research, University Seminar, Chemistry Research, Physical Chemistry I & II, Intro to Forensic Science, General Chemistry, Quantum Physics
Jason Shepherd
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Shepherd@bvu.edu
B.S., Buena Vista University; M.S., University of Nebraska-Omaha; Ph.D., University of South Dakota
Professional Engagement: Dr. Shepherd has been a recipient of both the George Wythe Award for Excellence in Teaching and the New Century Faculty Development Award for Advising.
Courses: Computer Science I, Algorithms, Software Engineering, Programming Languages and Compilers, Discrete Mathematics, User Interface Design and Development, Introduction to Information Technology, Web Application Development
Shawn Stone
Professor of Physics/General Science
STONE@bvu.edu
B.S., Bemidji State University; M.S., University of North Dakota; Ph.D., University of Kansas
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