Meet the Professors
Honors Core
Dr. Chris Orchard
Education: D.Phil., University of Oxford
Academic Interests: Shakespeare, Early Modern British Literature, Transatlantic Studies, Theory
Dr. Robert Hinrichsen, IUP Department of Biology
Education: Ph.D., Indiana University
Research Interests: My research involves the study of cellular behavior and regulated exocytosis in the ciliated protozoan Paramecium tetraurelia; this research employs techniques in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and biochemistry. Paramecium is an excellent model system for the study of cellular behavior and ion channel function; the action potential can be genetically dissected, the cells are large enough to microinject for cell biological experiments, various molecular biological techniques are available, and the cells can be grown to large volumes to do biochemistry. Most importantly, Paramecium is an ideal system for undergraduate research. It is easy to handle and there are a large number of research problems that can be exploited.
Dr. Michael Ivins
After receiving his BA and MA in Liberal Arts at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM, Dr. Ivins began work in Ancient Philosophy and Contemporary European Philosophy at Duquesne University where he received his Ph.D. in philosophy. His dissertation explored themes in Ancient Greek Philosophies of Nature. His current research includes examining the differences in the approaches of Aristotle and Plato to natural science.
Professor Ivins has been teaching in the Philosophy department at IUP since 2006. His current interests include the History of Philosophy, Ethics, and Plato’s philosophy. Dr. Ivins is a computer enthusiast and spends his leisure time traveling with his wife Nicole and playing poker.
Dr. R. Scott Moore, IUP Department of History
Education: Ph.D., Ohio State University
Research Interests: I teach courses on ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and medieval history. My research focuses on trade and communication in the Eastern Mediterranean from the second through the eighth centuries A.D. I have participated in archeological projects in Cyprus and Greece, as well as several underwater archaeology projects in North America. Since 2003 I have been the director of the Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project (PKAP). This is a diachronic, intensive archaeological investigation of the southern coast of Cyprus. The overall aim of the project is to determine the relationship between the material culture of this stretch of coastline and other coastal sites on the island, inland sites in the vicinity of Larnaka, and the Eastern Mediterranean more generally.
Dawn Fels
Dawn Fels has taught composition for 14 years in both high school and university classrooms and writing centers. Her research interests include writing center studies, composition studies, and narrative inquiry. She currently teaches Research Writing at IUP.
Biochemistry
Dr. N. Bharathan, IUP Department of Biochemistry
Dr. Bharathan’s current research includes:
- Characterization and molecular analysis of the genome of the Tomato Mosaic virus (ToMV) using reverse transcription PCR.
- Comparative analysis of DNA homology to establish taxonomic relationships of fungi. The specific genes, total nuclear DNS, and or plasmids of various species or isolates could be compared by sequencing or nucleic acid hybridization.
- Past experience with Rhizoctonia solani system suggests that transposable elements (Ty) exist in plant pathogenic fungi, and they could be involved in the activation and inactivation of genes for pathogenicity, or race specificity. Filamentous fungi generally contain small fraction of repetitive sequences, which are primarily composed of genes for rDNA, but which also include Ty elements. If the homology that exists between Ty elements in yeast and some higher eukaryotes is general, it will be possible to detect these elements in filamentous fungi by searching for homology between the non-ribosomal repetitive DNA and a cloned Ty element. Alternatively, since chromosomal location of at least some copies of Ty will differ among individuals, such elements could be detected by RFLPs.
Chemistry
Dr. Wendy Elcesser
Education: Ph.D. University of Vermont
Research Interests: Organometallic synthesis; bonding modes of carbon dioxide in transition metal complexes; development of interactive format demonstrations and synthesis and oxidation of transition metal complexes of Mo and Cr; improvement of teaching/learning in the classroom and of ethical practices in the sciences.
Dr. Larry Kupchella
Education: Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
Research Interests: Chemistry of the polythionic acids and their corresponding salts, the polythionates. The polythionates are environmentally significant compounds. They are thought to form as intermediates in the chemical and biochemical oxidation of reduced forms of sulfur to sulfate. This oxidation process, which also results in acid production, is known to occur in aquatic systems draining mining and coal gasification operations. Environmentally, the effects can be devastating. Addressing this problem will require a thorough understanding of the relevant chemistry, and polythionate chemistry is pivotal in that respect.
Dr. Nathan McElroy
Education: Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
Research Interests: My interests are in computational chemistry, specifically in the field of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR). QSAR allows us to model the physical properties and biological activities of organic molecules that are inherent of their molecular structures, in hopes of predicting the properties of molecules that have not yet been tested or even synthesized.
In short, we can take the connectivity information from an organic molecule and calculate a host of molecular descriptors (numerical values) that convey information about topology, geometry, and electronic environments. This bank of information can then be manipulated with many different analysis tools, including linear and non-linear regressions, clustering and classification schemes, and highy complex neural networks.
At present, my primary focus is using regression and Bayesian neural networks to create predictive models for small organic or drug-like molecules and their ADME/Tox (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion/Toxicity) properties.
Website: http://nsm1.nsm.iup.edu/nate
Dr. John Woolcock
Education: Ph.D. University of California at Riverside
Research Interests: Connecting metal ions to biological molecules; creating metal-carbon rings, bridges and other special types of molecular architecture; organometallic nanostars; chemical education research: adapting and implementing the "Working With Chemistry" Lab Program in CHEM 111-112
Website: http://wey238ab.ch.iup.edu/woolcock/index.htm
English/Education/Writing
Dawn Fels
Dawn Fels has taught composition for 14 years in both high school and university classrooms and writing centers. Her research interests include writing center studies, composition studies, and narrative inquiry. She currently teaches Research Writing at IUP.
Forensics
Mike Baker, Indiana County Coroner
Journalism
Dr. Michele McCoy
Dr. Michele R. Papakie-McCoy, a 1993 alumna of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania journalism department, returned this spring as a full-time, tenure-track faculty member. She brings with her 20 years of experience in journalism and public relations, and she is eager to share it all with her students.
Papakie-McCoy is teaching Writing for Print Media (JRNL 220) and PR Presentation Making (JRNL 491) during her first semester. This summer, she hopes to teach Journalism and Mass Media (JRNL 105) and lead a journalism workshop for high school students as part of IUP’s Summer Honors Program. This fall, she is scheduled to teach JRNL 220, 105 and a public relations class. Papakie-McCoy is also very excited to be designated as the faculty advisor to Lasting Impressions, IUP’s student-run public relations agency.
Her work experience includes time spent in the following positions: reporter for Gateway Publications; client liaison for a strategic planning company; public relations coordinator for Chartiers Valley School District; public information officer for the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; adjunct instructor of communications at Robert Morris University; and director of public affairs for California University of Pennsylvania.
She is celebrating her 20th year of military service as well. Papakie-McCoy is currently a major in the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Although she has spent her entire career as a traditional guard member (reservist) in Pittsburgh, her service has taken her to at least 12 countries and more than half of the United States. She has served as the unit’s public affairs officer and military equal opportunity officer.
Papakie-McCoy earned her Master of Arts degree in regional planning at California University of Pennsylvania in 1996 and her Doctor of Science degree in communication and information systems from Robert Morris University in 2002.
She was recently accepted to participate as a team member in a Rotary Club Group Study Exchange trip to Turkey. She will be spending a month of her summer in Izmir and Istanbul, residing with Turkish Rotary Club members and visiting professionals who share career adventures in journalism, public relations, education, teaching and military service.
Law
Dr. David Chambers
Dr. Chambers teaches master’s level courses for the IUP Political Science Department and specializes in public policy (American domestic), public administration and electoral behavior & third party identification.
Dr. Gwendolyn Torges
Dr. Torges directs the IUP Pre Law Program and serves as advisor for the IUP Mock Trial team. Her specializations include American politics, federal Indian law, constitutional law and privacy law. She is the author of two books: “Constitutional Law” and “Legal Case Studies for Students” and has published in the Journal of American History.
Physics
Dr. Stan Sobolewski
Dr. Stan Sobolewski is a member of the Physics Teacher Education Coalition and is active within both the fields of physics and education. He has presented at conferences and recently published in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching and The Physics Teacher.
Website: http://einstein.nsm.iup.edu/~sobolews/
Psychology
Dr. Lisa Newell
Education: Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Research Interest: My research interests lie in the development of perceptual and social-cognitive abilities in humans. I am primarily focused on the development of face perception and joint attention skills in infants and children with autism. My current research program investigates the role of gaze direction of a social partner in face recognition abilities with young infants. I am also collaborating with researchers at the University of Pittsburgh on a longitudinal study tracking the development of infant siblings of children with autism. Infant siblings of children with autism are at a higher risk of developing autism than the general population, and thus serve as an excellent population to study if we are to identify early markers of autism.
