Stephen B. Hager

Professor of Biology, Director of Field Stations

• Phone: 309-794-3439
• Email: Stevehager@augustana.edu
• Office: Hanson Science Building 312

Students in my courses are challenged to learn content and conceptual material, and to apply this information to solve problems. I offer opportunities for students to engage in high-level critical thinking skills, analyze complex situations, and effectively communicate their work in both verbal and written contexts.

My research program seeks to understand the causes of human-related threats to natural bird populations.

The natural world is one giant dynamic system. Change through time is the rule, and I attempt to provide visual evidence of that change. The natural world is engaging. I try to make photographs that tell a story of my conversations — moments of engagement — with nature.

For more information about me, visit: https://sites.google.com/augustana.edu/sbh-naturestudies/home

To view photographs from my nature studies, visit: https://naturestudiesphotography.myportfolio.com/

Specializations: Animal behavior, General zoology, Conservation biology, Environmental science, Ornithology

Michael H. Scarlett

Professor of Education

• Phone: 309-794-7219
• Email: michaelscarlett@augustana.edu
• Office: Evald 207

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Dr. Scarlett has been teaching in the education department at Augustana since 2013.  

Prior to teaching at Augustana he taught at Montana State University, Billings, in the College of Education.

He also taught for 11 years in the St. Paul (Minn.) Public School District.

He earned both a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Curriculum and Instruction, Social Studies Education.

Specializations: Social Studies education, American Indian education, Technology and education

Scott R. Gehler

Professor of Biology, STEM Division Dean

• Phone: 309-794-3448
• Email: ScottGehler@augustana.edu
• Office: Hanson 308

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I joined the biology department at Augustana College in the fall of 2011.  My favorite part about teaching at Augie is working with students and guiding them toward their passions.  My approach to teaching biology is to help students make connections between biological principles and practical experience.  In doing so, my goal is to get the students excited about science while building upon their knowledge from other courses. 

I received my Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota where I studied how nerve cells grow and form connections with other nerve cells.  I went on to do post-doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I studied how breast cancer cells move and metastasize to other parts of the body. 

Following the completion of my post-doctoral research, I worked for a small biotech company in Madison where I directed the Research and Development group for cell-based assays.  I have had numerous opportunities to teach students in various classroom settings and mentor them in the laboratory.  Whether it is in the class or the laboratory, my approach is to teach students to think like scientists through application of the scientific method.

My research program at Augustana involves the study of cell motility, or movement, which is essential for cancer cells to metastasize to other regions of the body.  Using immortalized cancer cells cultured in a petri dish, we use various types of microscopy to observe cells and help answer experimental questions.  We are interested in learning about the signaling mechanisms that regulate the cell cytoskeleton, which is essential for cell motility.

In addition to my scientific interests, I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, biking, camping, and spending time outdoors.  My wife, Trisha, and I have two energetic boys who keep us on our toes.

Specializations: Human physiology, Cell biology, Cancer biology, Neuroscience

Michael C. Egan

Professor and Chair of Education

• Phone: 309-794-8965
• Email: MikeEgan@augustana.edu
• Office: Evald 208

Prior to arriving at Augustana, I spent 13 years working as a mathematics "educator" (either as a middle/high school teacher or a researcher or both). Seven of those years were spent as a teacher at Alpha Academy in Kingston, Jamaica; the remaining six were spent in Boston as a graduate student/part-time teacher/part-time researcher. 

I joined Augustana's education department in 2008 as its mathematics specialist. I have advised and supervised Augustana's mathematics education majors every year since then, and have also consistently taught the mathematics teaching methods courses for both elementary education majors (EDUC 364) and secondary education majors (EDUC 384).  I have taught numerous other courses at Augustana, including courses outside of the education department such as First Year Inquiry courses and Liberal Studies Composition courses. 

I currently hold various leadership positions at Augustana, including co-chair of the education department, chair of the General Education Committee, and principal investigator of Augustana’s Promoting Opportunities in STEM Teaching (POST) scholarship program. 

Perhaps my favorite responsibility at Augie is my co-directorship of the Augustana Jamaica Program. This bi-annual study-away program brings Augustana students to Jamaica to tour the island and to spend significant time in Kingston schools as teaching interns. This program has enabled me to continue nurturing professional and personal relationships I developed as a teacher in Jamaica earlier in my career.  

The Jamaica Program has proven to be a powerful experience for Augustana student participants who are able to immerse themselves in Jamaica's vibrant culture while gaining appreciation for the Jamaican approach to schooling.  You can follow the Augustana Jamaica Program on Facebook.
 

Specializations: Mathematics education

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C. Kevin Geedey

Professor of Biology, Bohdan Dziadyk Distinguished Chair in Environmental Science and Conservation

• Phone: 309-794-3437
• Email: KevinGeedey@augustana.edu
• Office: Hanson 437

My primary areas of teaching center on ecology, evolution, and aquatic biology.  Aquatic life is endlessly fascinating, and understanding how and where aquatic organisms live means understanding how ecosystems function, and how populations respond to their environment.

Students working in my research lab take on varying projects, depending on their interests. My student colleagues and I have studied the rates of photosynthesis in wetlands, biogeochemical cycles of streams and ponds, decomposition of the leaves of invasive plant species, populations of mussels, and fish behavior to name a few recent projects.  

Specializations: Aquatic ecology, Evolutionary ecology, Evolution, Limnology, Upper Mississippi Center

Keri D. Bass

Assistant Director of Vocational Exploration, Advisor

• Phone: 309-794-8613
• Email: keribass@augustana.edu
• Office: Olin 107

Specializations: Careers, Community service, CORE

Lina Zhou

Professor and Co-Chair of Business Administration

• Phone: 309-794-7267
• Email: LinaZhou@augustana.edu
• Office: Evald Hall 302

Specializations: Portfolio management, International finance

David B. Thornblad

Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Business Administration, Advisor of Entrepreneurial Studies

• Phone: 309-794-7473
• Email: davidthornblad@augustana.edu
• Office: Carlsson-Evald 301

Dr. David Thornblad is an associate professor of business administration at Augustana College. He teaches upper level classes in managing innovation, entrepreneurship, and business strategy.

At Augustana, he founded and oversees the annual business plan competition, and is a founding faculty advisor for the esports team. He graduated from Augustana in 2004, and subsequently worked in the entertainment industry before pursuing his Ph.D. in management at Virginia Tech.

Specializations: Management strategy, Technology and innovation, Product development