April 19, 2021
Four instructional faculty members promoted in the Division of Biology
Submitted by Division of Biology
Three faculty members in the Division of Biology earned promotion to full teaching professor and one faculty member earned promotion to associate teaching professor. Promotions to full teaching professor include Eva Horne, Ashley Rhodes, and Martha Smith Caldas. Eve McCulloch was promoted to associate teaching professor.
"These faculty members are all exceptional teachers and provide critical contributions to our teaching mission," said Mark Ungerer, division director. "They participate in the coordination and delivery of a broad range of biology offerings, from introductory-level to some of our most advanced courses. We're fortunate to have them among our ranks, and they're highly deserving of these promotions."
Horne started teaching in the Division of Biology in 1997. She has been a lead instructor for the introductory Principles of Biology course, for which she co-authored an open-source electronic textbook. Horne also teaches Behavioral Ecology. Horne additionally serves as the assistant director of Konza Prairie Biological Station and conducts research on the herpetofauna of Kansas.
Rhodes has been an instructor in the Division of Biology since 2008. She serves pre-health students with her Human Body II and Physiological Adaptations of Animals courses, for which she has developed electronic textbooks. In addition, Rhodes conducts research on educational practices in STEM fields and incorporates this research into her teaching practices.
Smith Caldas joined the Division of Biology in 2009. She coordinates the General Microbiology course, for which she co-wrote an open-source electronic textbook. In addition, Smith Caldas co-teaches the Phage Hunters course sequence, which gives undergraduates hands-on research experience studying bacteriophages — i.e., bacterial viruses.
McCulloch has been teaching in the Division of Biology since 2014 and also serves as the director of undergraduate studies. In addition to her instructional activities, she oversees advising, recruitment and retention efforts, leads the Division of Biology's undergraduate scholarship committee and coordinates the Division of Biology's Ambassadors Program, which mentors first-year students. McCulloch recently was elected to represent the College of Arts and Sciences in the K-State Faculty Senate.