NatSci Profiles

The challenges facing society in the 21st century are complex.
In true Spartan fashion, the extraordinary individuals and groups that comprise the MSU College of Natural Science (NatSci) family – faculty members, staff members, students and alumni – are hard at work every day, making a difference in their classrooms, labs, businesses, communities and the world around them. In an effort to tell their stories, we've created this collection of profiles to feature people in our NatSci family and how they are contributing to the common good in ways both big and small. SPARTANS WILL.

Alumni

• Roger Beachy: A pioneer in plant pathology
• Scott and Patty Belden: "This is what you do, if you can"
• Billman - Herman: Marching to the beat of the same drummer--endowed scholarships
• Gay Birchard: Student support is a top priority
• Carl Bruch: How it all fits
• E. Dean Butler: An alumnus with a clear vision
• Sally and Thomas Crawford: Keeping connected
• Gerard and Margaret Crawley: An energizing climate at MSU
• Rita Dandridge: Connection with MSU provides a view into the future
• Carol DesJardins: MSU education "adds up" for small-town girl 
• Marilyn and Bo Dimitroff: A great love for MSU
• Donna Duberg: A transformative gift for BLD's future
• Daniel Edson: BLD alum gives back--one "first" at a time
• Mark and Sandy Ehlert: Honoring their mentors
• Dan and Karen Friderici: Helping aspiring scientists
• Ron Goldsberry: Feeling Fortunate 
• Alice Greene: Paying it forward -- The value of higher education and research 
• Kay Gross and Gary Mittelbach: Conservation and Conversation -- Two KBS endowments established
• Mark and Connie Hanson: Insightful alum gives back to NatSci students
• Gregory Hauser: "The world really needs MSU"
• Ron and Pam Hill: Gifts fund critical field study programs
• James Hoeschele: Alumnus gives back to MSU--his "second home"
• Brad and Cathy Hoot: The evolution of two successful careers
• Clay and Nancy Hunter: Climbing rocks and breaking barriers
• Norman and Hanna Kelker: Supporting student research
• Joan and Jack King: Endowment honors pioneer in animal behavior
• Tom Krigas: An eye-opening discovery
• Kyle Lewallen: Long-time Spartan engages with EES department
• Matt Moll: Looking back, giving forward
• Nikkita Ngalande: The prize in the process (Q&A)
• John Ohlrogge: A career firmly planted to advance knowledge, benefit society
• Mark Evans Ondari: Grit, determination, and a mother's passion
• Marguerite and Steve Poreda: MSU degrees provide firm foundation for fulfilling careers
• Robert Rietz: Giving back because "it's the right thing to do"
• James Rodman: Donating to honor the opportunities he was given
• James Rodman: Long-time supporter establishes John H. Beaman Memorial Herbarium Fund
• Mary and Craig Rosenberg: Supporting "an inspirational place"
• Laura and Robert Sams: Sisbros Studios - A blend of science, comedy and storytelling
• Betty and John Schoepke: Devoted Spartan gives back
• Dr. Elizabeth Seaman: Notes on an orchestrated life
• Ron and Mary Simon: Simon endowment "insures" future of actuarial science program
• Bill Sonsin is living proof that you will use math in everyday life
• Gary Starkweather: Perseverance, 'laser' vision lead to printer innovation
• David Taft: "Good Chemistry" in life and career
• Thomas Taylor: Giving students a broader view of geosciences
• Laurie and Joe Thorp: The pull of the Earth--A father's gift paid forward
• Chris and Michelle (Tombro) Tracy: Proud to support some of the world's great minds
• Richard Van Frank: Undergraduate research plants seeds for career, endowment
• Van Frank Summer Research Institute "pays it forward"
• Dan Van Haften: $1 million alumnus gift creates deductive literacy professorship
• John and Margaret Witt: MSU nurtures sweet career
• John Woollam: Giving back to help others build careers
• Roger Wolthuis: Alum discovers his "flight path" for a successful career
• Chris and David Wright: Wright Family Endowed Scholarship provides funds, encouragement
• Phil Zecher: Giving the university the flexibility to stay current

Faculty & Staff

• Peggy Adams: Beloved professor leaves a legacy of learning
• Thomas Adams: Memorial Scholarship celebrates 10 years
• Barbara A. Atkinson, D.O: Pioneering a passionate and compassionate career in infectious disease
• Marc Conlin: A dedicated Spartan gives back
• Kathy Doig and Ric Benson: Making the connection - The Tao of t-shirts
• Megan Donahue and Mark Voit: Making a difference with science
• Shelagh Ferguson-Miller and Robert Miller: BMB endowment would clearly advance research
• Dan and Karen Friderici: Helping aspiring scientists
• Pam Fraker: Pioneering professor pays it forward
• Aaron Galonsky: International research cultivates great science, friendships
• Richard and Susan Hill: This land was made for . . . instructional field study
• Jack Preiss: Respected scientist, gifted performer
• Ellen Rzepka: Long-time, dedicated employee retires from BLD family
• Clarence Suelter: Living a life of purpose; sharing a wealth of knowledge
• Laurie and Joe Thorp: The pull of the Earth--A father's gift paid forward
• Warren and Anneliese Wood: Making education value-added
• Willis A. Wood: Endowment to inspire future generations of BMB students, faculty

Students

• Zahara Ahmad: Pursuing cross-disciplinary research in public health as an undergrad
• Wasundara Athukoralalage: Aiming for the stars
• Andrew Baker: Finding the secret to a successful life
• Anna Baghdadi: Expanding her horizons through research
• Emma Beaver:  Communication - The most important research tool
• Alaina Brenner: Improv, outreach activities bring balance to academic rigors
• Ally Brown: From setbacks to solutions: Using collaboration and creative thinking to restore prairies
• Karina Canning: Research opportunities pave way to migrant student's dream
• Sean Crowley: Trial by Virus
• Cade Dembski: Becoming comfortable with the unknown
• Bradley Disbrow: Unfamiliar Ground
• Rachel Dubuque: Jump in with both feet
• Joe Faryean: Pursuing a love for science with an attitude of gratitude
• Caleb Fisher: Research skillsets enhance growth as an individual and a scientist
• Kiera Fisher: From lost to lovin' it
• Morgan Fleck: "Blame it on the Intern"
• Katrina Gensterblum: Math and research - It all adds up
• Aalayna Green: Reclaiming my time
• Ryan Griffin: Paving the path to success
• Thomas Grubb: Falling in love with math
• Laura Hesse Student View: "I want to be a scientist"
• Jack Huber: How the 'origins of life' made me a writer
• Kayley Irwin: Study abroad experience sparks a passion for medicine
• Madison "Maddy" Jenner: Research experience lends a broader view (student)
• Alexandra Korabiewski: From Sonatas and Symphonies to Lasers and Lipid Bilayers
• Clara Lepard: Science and the art of human connection 
• Christina Liu: It's not just about the fish!
• Sarah MacLachlan: Discovering the process of science from start to finish
• Cody Madsen: Graduating with much more than a degree
• Darla Martinez: The rewards of undergraduate research
• Jessie Miller: Undergraduate education in a global pandemic
• Kat Magoulick: Crossing oceans and disciplines
• Lazarius Miller: Opening the door of opportunity
• Racheal Nassimbwa: Using ALL my Spartan experiences to assemble my knowledge puzzle
• Don Nguyen: Bittersweet ending brings appreciation, determination amidst COVID-19 challenges
• Jacqline Njeri: My last hurrah (before graduate school)
• Chiadika Nwanze: Fifteen hours and beyond
• Teresa Panurach: Unforecasted Turbulence
• Nakoa Po: Advice underscores importance of undergraduate research
• Alex Pollock:  Meet the minds behind Reel Free
• Apryl Pooley: Moving forward – Recovery opens new doors for researcher
• Hari Ramakrishnan: Twists and turns
• Raeuf Roushangar: Accomplishing much with little
• Madeleine Russell: Coffee, diabetes and study abroad
• Han Setiawan: A passion for research
• Annaliese Singer: Research opportunities support lifelong passion to protect, conserve bird populations
• Emmalee Skorich: MSU study abroad reignites passion for travel
• Brendyn Smith: Becoming the artist I never was through organic chemistry
• Emily Steffke: Oh, the places you'll go
• Audrianna St. Germain: A lust for learning
• Brent Strong: Fighting off the disenchantment
• Marquita Tillotson: Zoology internship program critical to career success
• Lydia Valdatoros: Connections, community key to determining career path
• Eleni Varelas: Pushing limits to advance the boundaries of medicine
• Lucas Werner: Patience and purpose
• Kristian Wilks: Decisions, decisions, decisions
• Katherine J. Wozniak: Step outside your zone
• William Yakah: Connecting the dots
• Jessica Yen: Falling in love with research
• Amanda Ziminski: MSU provides welcoming place to pursue research, gain life experience