Faculty

Dr. Karen Keller

Associate Professor of Biology,
Chair of the Health Professions Advisory Council

Office: Compton Science Center 304
Telephone: 301-687-4174
Email: klkeller@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. Physiology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1999
M.S. Biological Sciences, Frostburg State University, 1992
B.A. Biological Sciences, Frostburg State University, 1989

• Additional Information

  Courses Taught:

  Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Histology,
  General Parasitology

  Research Projects Highlight:

  Dr. Keller’s research interests include histological sectioning and immunohistochemical staining and analysis of animal tissues. Undergraduate research projects have focused on the presence of various neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors in frog, rat, and mouse tissues. In addition, Dr. Keller also conducts graduate and undergraduate research projects involved in the identification of parasites from local mammal populations. Recent projects have included analyses of field mice and other small animal parasite loads and the collection of ticks for identification of tickborne diseases.

  Selected Recent Publications:

  Human Anatomy & Physiology, 1st Edition, by Erin C. Amerman, Pearson Higher Education, 2016. (Contributed Chapters 26 and 27).

  Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual, Cat Version, 1st Edition, by Catharine C. Whiting, Pearson Higher Education, 2016. (Contributing Author).

  Keller, K.L, R.S. Fritz, C.M. Zoubek, E.H. Kennedy, K.A. Cronin, E.S. Rothwell, and T.L. Serfass. 2014. Effects of transport on fecal glucocorticoid levels in captive-bred cotton-top tamarins (Sanguinus oedipus), Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. 87(3):1-5.

  Clites, G.A. and K.L. Keller. 2012. Immunohistochemistry of the vasopressin receptor AVPR V2 in rat brain. Journal of Student Research 1(1):39-40.

  Raley, A., R. Price, W. Seddon, and K. Keller. 2012. Gastrointestinal parasites in road-killed raccoons and opossums in Western Maryland. Journal of Student Research 1(3):29-30.

  Selected Awards and Honors:

  Excellence in Teaching Award from Student Members of The National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alphi Pi in May 2012.

  Selected Professional Memberships:

  American Association of Anatomists (AAA) Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) American Society of Parasitologists (ASP) National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NEAAHP)

• Additional Information

  Courses Taught:

  Immunology, Virology, Cell Biology, Advanced Microscopy, General Biology, Seminar in Biology, Biotechnology Laboratory
  Special Topics: Host-Pathogen Interactions

  Research:

  Dr. Taylor's research interests are centered on immunology, especially host-pathogen interactions and mucosal immunology. Currently, Dr. Taylor and several undergraduate and graduate students are currently investigating the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, in Western Maryland. Ticks are collected and tested for the presence of Borrelia by PCR analysis, and blood and tissue samples from wild mice are also tested by ELISA and PCR. These data along with environmental information will allow a broad picture of the emergence of Lyme in the regional area.

  Dr. Taylor mentors undergraduate and graduate students who have an interest in learning advanced biological techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dissection and cryopreservation, tissue sectioning, histochemical staining, ELISA, PCR, and cell culture.

  Curriculum Vita

Dr. David Puthoff

Associate Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 212
Telephone: 301-687-4172
Email: dpputhoff@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. University of California, Riverside
B.S. The Ohio State University

• Additional Information

  Courses Taught:

  General Biology, Plant Physiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Seminar in Biology

  Research Projects Highlights:

  My area of research focuses on plant interactions with their pathogens with an especial focus on the interactions with insect pests. In addition, studies on insect pest prevalence and abundance, along with population genetic analysis will help provide the best strategies for pest elimination. By conducting studies that examine plant gene expression changes I hope to not only elucidate signaling mechanisms used by plants during defense reactions but also to identify genes to be used to in protecting plants from the stresses of pathogen attacks. These genes may come from wild relatives or other species. One specific plant pest that is of interest is whiteflies. These phloem feeding insects remove photoassimilates along with vectoring viruses. The long term goal of experiments will be to breed and create plant germplasm that is resistant to or tolerant of these devastating pests.

  Selected Recent Publications:

  *DeCapite, A., *Lancaster, T. and Puthoff, D.P. (2016). Salicylic acid treatment increases the levels of triterpene glycosides in Black cohossh (Actaea racemosa) rhizomes. Journal of Chemical Ecology 42:13-16.
  
  Vickers, A., Brosi, S.L., Howell, J., Kaur, B., Puthoff, D.P. and Eisenstein, E. (2015) Ecological and Chemotypic Analysis for Improved Growth and Management of Naturally Occurring Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) Populations in Western Maryland. American Journal of Plant Sciences 6:3272-3281.
  
  Lennon, K.A. and Puthoff, D.P. (2013). Take-home active learning exercises may result in learning gains equivalent to in-class active learning, with both superior to traditional, low- structured lecture in Introductory Biology. J. Microbiology and Bio. Education DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v14i1.588
  
  *Bowman, M. and Puthoff, D.P (2012) 3 sequences from Brassica rapa were published to GenBank Accession numbers: JX000229.1, JX000230.1, JX000231.1
  
  Puthoff, D.P., Holzer, F., Perring, T. and Walling, L.L. (2010). Tomato Pathogenesis-related Protein Genes are Expressed in Response to Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci Biotype B Feeding. J. Chemical Ecology 36(11):1271-85.
  
  Puthoff, D.P., Neelam, A., Ehrenfried, M.L., Scheffler, B.E., Ballard, L., Song, Q., Campbell, K.B., Cooper, B., and Tucker, M.T. (2008). Analysis of expressed sequence tags from Uromyces appendiculatus hyphae and haustoria and their comparison to sequences from other rust fungi. Mycology. 98(10):1126-1135.
  
  Smigocki, A., Ivic-Haymes, S., Puthoff, D.P. and Zuzga, S. (2008). Recent advances in functional genomics for sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) improvement: progress in determining the role of BvSTI in pest resistance in roots. Sugar Tech 10(1): 91-98.
  
  Puthoff, D.P., Ehrenfried, M.L., Vinyard, B.T. and Tucker, M.L. (2007). GeneChip profiling of transcriptional responses to soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, colonization of soybean roots J. Exp. Bot. 58(12): 3407-3418.
  
  *denotes undergraduate researcher

  Selected Recent Presentations:

  2013. Poster. Lennon, K.A. and Puthoff, D.P. Take-home active learning exercises may result in learning gains equivalent to in-class active learning, with both superior to traditional, low- structured lecture in Introductory Biology. American Society for Microbiology – Conference for Undergraduate Education, Denver, CO.
  
  2012. Poster. *Bowman, M. and Puthoff, D.P. Candidate gene for Anthocyaninless (anl) of Brassica rapa. Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology Society. Laurel, MD
  
  2011. Poster. *DeCapite, A., *Lancaster, T. and Puthoff, D. Elucidation of terpenoid medicinal compound levels in Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) rhizomes in response to plant defense signaling molecules. Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology Society. Laurel, MD
  
  2011. Poster. Vickers, A., Brosi, S., Howell, J. and Puthoff, D. Quantification of medicinal copoinds in vegetative and reproductive Actaea racemosa. American Society of Plant Biologists, Minneapolis, MN
  
  2010. Poster. *Lancaster, T. and Puthoff, D.P. Methods for Increasing Levels of Terpenoid Active Ingredient(s) in Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) and Elucidation of Their Role in Plant Defense. Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology Society. Laurel, MD

  Selected Professional Memberships:

  American Society of Plant Biologists, International Society of Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology Society

Dr. Franklin Hughes

Assistant Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 313
Telephone: 301-687-4177
Email: fphughes@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Magna Cum Laude - Palmer College of Chiropractic
B.A. Chemistry - West Virginia University

Dr. Thomas Lambert

Associate Professor
Wildlife & Fisheries, and Interpretive Biology & Natural History Program Coordinator

Office: Compton Science Center 211
Telephone: 301-687-4167
Email: tdlambert@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. 2004. Forestry, University of Toronto. Dissertation Title: “Small mammals of the southeastern Amazon and the ecological consequences of selective logging.” Supervisors: Jay R. Malcolm & Barbara L. Zimmerman.
M.S. 1999. Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Thesis Title “Effects of forest Fragmentation on Rodent Community Structure.” Supervisor: Gregory H. Adler.
B.S. 1995. Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

• Additional Information

  Background:

  I have a B.S. & a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, I received my Ph.D. in 2004 from the University of Toronto. Since completing my Ph.D. I was a post-doc with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, a postdoctoral teaching & research associate at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and a teaching fellow at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Since 2008 I have been an assistant professor of biology here at Frostburg State University.

  Courses Taught:

  Throughout my career I have taught a wide range of courses ranging from introductory biology to field ecology to graduate level statistical analysis classes. Currently the main courses I teach are Mammalogy, Animal Behavior and non-majors introductory biology.

  Research Project Highlights:

  My research has largely focused on small mammal ecology. Specifically how anthropogenic changes in habitat structure impact small mammal community structure and in turn how changes in small mammal community structure can impact overall biodiversity through changes in seed predation and seed dispersal. Largely these projects have been conducted in the Tropics, with past research being done in Panama, Venezuela & Brazil. However my interests are not limited to the tropics and I am activity seeking to conduct more research in temperate regions. Additionally I am not only interested in small mammals but have recently begun several projects looking at deer browsing and the potential impacts of coyotes on deer populations.

  More about Dr Lambert

Dr. Hongqi Li

Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 306
Telephone: 301-687-4168
Email: hli@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. The Ohio State University
M.S. China University of Mining and Technology
B.S. Nanjing University, China

• Additional Information

  Courses Taught:

  General Botany, Human Biology and the Environment, Morphology of Non-Vascular Plants, Morphology of Vascular Plants, Somatics - the Chinese approaches; Laboratory Teaching Experience

  Research Interest:

  My research interests include:

  -Study of Mesozoic and Paleozoic fossil plants in tracing the origin of flowering plants

  -Study of both living and fossil Carnivorous Plants with their morphology, ecology, and origin
  Other biological studies, from interested molecules (using GC-MS and THertz Spectroscopy) to plant therapeutical properties
  
  - Other biological studies, from interested molecules (using GC-MS and THertz Spectroscopy) to plant therapeutical properties.

  Paleobotanic Research Interests:

  My research interests are mainly focused on the "origin of angiosperms" that has been an "abominable mystery" since Darwin. Currently, we still do not know when, where, and from which plants the flowering plants originated, while the confirmed, earliest angiosperm megafossils are 125 million years old, found from the Yixian Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Liaoning, northeastern China.
  
  I have published three papers on three different fossil flowering plants found from the Yixian Formation, including Archaefructus eoflora (Ji et al., 2004), Archaeamphora longicervia (Li, 2005) and Hyrcantha decussata (Dlicher et al., 2007). Considering that angiosperms had highly diversified during the Early Cretaceous, the origin of angiosperms must be much earlier.
  
  To trace the possible PreCretaceous angiosperms, I am applying two approaches, studying the plant morphology and anatomy and analyzing fossil molecules from 1) angiosperms collected form the Yixian Formation of the Early Cretaceous, northeastern China; 2) possible angiosperm fossil plants collected form the Middle-Late Jurassic, northeastern China; 3) fossil plants that have some angiosperm characteristics, collected form the Late Triassic- Early Jurassic, northern and southern China; and 4) Permian gigantopterids (250-290 million years ago) from China and USA.
  
  I have been studying Chinese gigantopterids since 1983 and found their morphology (e.g., broad leaves, complex reticulate venation) and anatomy (e.g., paracytic stomata, vessels. 1996 Science) make them resemble angiosperms the most among all living and fossil seed plants, and their Permian age well matches the origin time of angiosperms suggested by molecular clock studies (see my gigantopterid-related-papers published in 1990, 1994, 1996, 1998, and 1999). However, because the confirmed earliest angiosperms are only about 125 million years old, I have been hesitating to further correlate gigantopterids with angiosperms, unless I obtain some more convincing evidence.
  
  Because there is no DNA or RNA preserved in PreCretaceous fossil plants, we have to use other stable fossil molecules to trace lineage of angiosperms. Oleanane appears to be an ideal angiosperm biomarker because it has been found in most angiosperm families, and its increase matches well with the diversification of flowering plants during Cretaceous.
  
  From the Yixian Formation, I have reported a species flowering plant, Archaefructus eoflora (Ji et al., 2004). More excitingly, I also have found fossil pitcher plants from the same place in the same fossil flora (Li, 2005). The fossil pitcher plants of Archaeamphora longicervia share many characteristics with modern sarraceniacean pitcher plants of America. Since Sarraceniaceae are placed within the crown group of angiosperms, the discovery of the sarraceniacean-like fossil pitcher plants suggests the basal angiosperms should have originated much earlier, possibly as 280 million years ago as recent molecular clock studies suggested. I have found oleanane from the Chinese gigantopterids of Permian (Taylor et al., 2006, Paleobiology 32(2): 179-190). Nature editor Dr. Henry Gee pointed out that, "If they (gigantopterids) are found to be closer to the flowering plants, the lineage leading to flowering plants will be put securely back into the Permian period" (http://www.nature.com/nsu/991209/991209-8.html).
  
  -2007 Dilcher, David L., Ge Sun, Qiang Ji, and Hongqi Li. An early infructescence Hyrcantha decussata (comb. nov.) from the Yixian Formation in northeastern China. PNAS 104(22): 9370-9374 (May 22, 2007). https://www.pnas.org/content/104/22/9370.full.pdf+html

  -2006 Taylor, David Winship, Hongqi Li, Jeremy Dahl, Fred J. Fago, David Zinniker, and J. Michael Moldowan. Biogeochemical Evidence for Late Paleozoic origin and deep phylogenetic root of Angiosperms. Paleobiology 32(2): 179-190.

  -2004 Ji, Qiang, Hongqi Li, L. Michelle Bowe, Yusheng Liu, and David W. Taylor. Early Cretaceous Archaefructus eoflora sp. nov. with bisexual flowers from Beipiao, western Liaoning, China. Acta Geologica Sinica 78, 883-896.

  -1999 Li, Hongqi and David W. Taylor. Vessel-Bearing Stems, Vasovinea tianii gen. et sp. nov. (Gigantopteridales), from the Upper Permian of Guizhou Province, China. American Journal of Botany 86(11): 1563-1575.

  -1998 Li, Hongqi and David W. Taylor. Aculeovinea yunguiensis gen. et sp. nov. (Gigantopteridales), a new taxon of gigantopterid axis from the Upper Permian of Guizhou Province, China. International Journal of Plant Sciences 159: 1023-1033.

  -1996 Li, Hongqi, Edith. L. Taylor, and Thomas. N. Taylor. Permian vessel elements. Science 271: 188-189.

  -1996 Tian, Baolin, Shijun Wang, Yingting Guo, Hongqi Li, Guiren Chen, and Hong Zhao. Flora of Paleozoic Coalballs of China. The Palaeobotanists, 45: 247-254.

  -1994 Li, Hongqi, Baolin Tian, Edith L. Taylor, and Thomas N. Taylor. Foliar Anatomy of Gigantonoclea guizhouensis (Gigantopteridales) from the Upper Permian of Guizhou Province, China. American Journal of Botany 81(6): 678-689.

  -1992 Tian, Baolin and Hongqi Li. A New special Petrified Stem, Guizhouoxylon dahebianense gen. et sp. nov., from Upper Permian in Shuicheng District, Guizhou, China. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 31(3): 336-345 (in Chinese and English).

  -1990 Li, Hongqi and Baolin Tian. Anatomic Study of the Foliage leaf of Gigantonoclea guizhouensis Gu et Zhi. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 29(2): 216-227, 3 Plates. (In Chinese with English summary).

  
  Carnivorous Plants Research Interests:

  The Archaeamphora longicervia found from the Lower Cretaceous is actually a fossil pitcher plant that shares many morphological and anatomical characteristics with modern sarraceniacean pitcher plants of America (Li, 2005). This conclusion is also supported with the discovery of angiosperm biomark molecule oleanane from Archaeamphora specimens. Since Sarraceniaceae are placed within the crown group of angiosperms, this is the earliest fossil record of carnivorous plants and the earliest fossil record of crown group of angiosperms.
  
  My discovery of fossil pitcher plant Archaeamphora also inspired my interests in study of modern carnivorous plants, including their origin, phytogeography, morphology, ecology, conservation, and molecular as well as medicinal studies. I had one graduate student complete his master degree research on a comprehensive investigation of local populations of Sarracenia purpurea. Beside these, I have organized the 6th Conference of International Carnivorous Plant Society, hosted at Frostburg State University, June 1-5, 2006.

  -2010 Hongqi Li and Michael Gould. Observation of Reproductive Organs of Sarraceniaceae with SEM LV Model. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 39: 56-61.

  -2010 Adam Hnatkovich and Hongqi Li. Comparative morphological studies of Sarracenia purpurea L. (Sarraceniaceae) populations around western Maryland, USA. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 39: 50-54.

  -2005 Yuejin Hua and Hongqi Li. Food Web and Fluid in Pitchers of Nepenthes mirabilis in Zhuhai, China. Acta Botanica Gallica 152(2): 165-176.

  Other Biological Studies:

  When I was working on modern pitcher plants and trying to find out some special molecules that could be used as specific biomarkers, I found many of them yield mocule plumbagin that have studied as a potential anticancer agent. That lead me to further expanded my research into examine plumbagin and other molules, with a new technology, T-Hertz Spectrascopy, and ended with several publications.

  -2010 Weining Wang, Xiang Luo, Xiaoni Zeng, Yingying Zheng, and Hongqi Li. Terahertz and Infrared Spectra of Plumbagin, Juglone, and Menadione. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 39: 82-88.

  -2009 Weining Wang, Hongqi Li, Yan Zhang, Cun-Lin Zhang. Correlations between Terahertz Spectra and Molecular Structures of 20 Standard -Amino Acids. Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin., 25(10): 2074-2079.

  -2008 Weining Wang, Hongqi Li, Xiang Luo, and Xiaoni Zeng. THz Spectra of 1,4-Naphthoquinones and its Four Derivatives. Terehertz Photonics, edited by Cunlin Zhang, Xi-Cheng Zhang, Proc. Of SPIE Vol. 6840, 684000 (2007).

  Therefore, I study not only fossil plants, but also modern plants. In particular, when I cannot find some morphology/anatomy of a modern plant from literature, I will dissect the plant and use my own observation to clarify some characteristics in related fossil plants. For example, when I study the earliest, anatomically preserved fossil cycad, I dissected living cycad material to obtain a comprehensive understanding of anatomy of cycads. These studies may lead to important discoveries to clarify some evolutionary problems.

  -Hongqi Li, Jianglin Chang, Bao-lin Tian, and David W. Taylor. The oldest cycad stem, a Permian fossil from China. International Journal of Plant Sciences (completing).

  Recent Grants:

  -2010 Assigned Time Grant releasing teaching time for organizing the 27^th Midcontinent Paleobotany Colloquium, awarded by FSU.

  -2006 Assigned Time Grant releasing teaching time from Biol 109 in the spring for organizing the 6^th Conference of International Carnivorous Plant Society, awarded by FSU.

  -2005 Undergraduate student research grant for advising undergraduate student research projects, $2,500 (total $4,000) awarded by FSU.

  -2004 Conference Presentation Grant for Presentation "Morphology and Biogeochemistry of Possible Fossil Pitcher Plants from the Early Cretaceous, China" at The Fifth Conference of International Carnivorous Plants Society, Lyon, France, $1,000 awarded by FSU.

  -2002, "Tracing the origin of angiosperms through investigating fossil molecule oleanane from fossil plants," $35,000, awarded by Petroleum Research Fund (PRF), American Chemical Society (ACS).

  -2002, Match-up grant for "Tracing the origin of angiosperms through investigating fossil molecule oleanane from fossil plants in China," ¥100,000 (˜$12,000), awarded by National Petroleum Corporation of China.

  -2001 Faculty Development Grant for project "Visiting China and follow up working on Campus for both research and teaching," $2,250, awarded by Frostburg State University.

  -2000 Research grant for cooperative projects on studies of Paleozoic fossil plants, ¥25,000 (˜$3,000), awarded by Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology.

Dr. Kumudini A. Munasinghe

Assistant Professor, Microbiology

Office: Compton Science Center 203
Telephone: 301-687-4299
Email: kamunasinghe@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
M.S. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
B.S. (Honors) University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

• Additional Information

  Courses Taught:

  Microbiology, Medical Microbiology

  Research Interest:

  As a researcher, I am interested in studying pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of clinically important bacteria to understand their natural ability of transferring extrachromosomal genetic elements. My research findings will help us to understand large-scale questions about bacterial mutations and multidrug resistance of the fast-emerging bacteria. I work on real time PCR products and analyze them by agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA Sequencing in which amplification of DNA is performed using the Dideoxynucleotide method with an AmpliTAQ FS Big Dye Terminator cycle sequencing kit and ABI Prism 310 genetic analyzer. Phylogenetic trees are constructed based on maximum likelihood, and the GenBank database with BLAST is used to identify phylogenetically close relatives of isolated bacteria.