Biology

Instructional Staff

Education

• B.S., Veterinary Science: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX , May 1980
• D.V.M., Veterinary Medicine: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, August 1982

Previous Experience

• Burleson County Veterinary Clinic 1984-92
• Varisco Veterinary Clinic 1982-84

Assistant Professor of Biology Laboratories

Education

• B. S.; Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
• M. A.; Western Kentucky University
• Additional Study; Boston University
• Additional Study; Portland State University
• Additional Study, University of Memphis

Previous Experience

• Stutgartt American High School, 1989-1992, Ludwigsburg, Germany
• Briarwood Christian High School, 1985-1989, Birmingham, Alabama

Professor of Biology

Education

• B.S. in Biology, Bryan College
• Ph.D. in Cell Biology, University of Virginia

Previous Experience

• Associate Professor of Biology, Cell Biology, Bluefield College, 2007-2009
• Assistant Professor of Biology, Biology, Patrick Henry College, 2002-2007

Scholarship

• Littleton, LC and Gruenke, JA. "A Comparison of the Effect of Three Adjuvants on the Immune Response to Ovalbumin in Mice" BIOS. In press.
• Isaac Newton's Bible: Science and Heresy in 17th Century England" In KJV 400, ed. Ray Van Neste. (Borderstone Press). In press.
• "Faith and Science: Hard Questions." Renewing Minds: A Journal of Christian Thought 1(Spring 2012): 41-50.
• Gruenke, J and Barnard, J. "Don't Put the Brain on Trial." Public Discourse. 4 Oct 2011.
• Park, HE, JA Gruenke, JM White. Leash in the groove mechanism of membrane fusion. Nature Structure Biology, 2003 Dec; 10(12):1048-53.
• Gruenke, JA, RT Armstrong, WW Newcomb, JC Brown, JM White. New Insights into the Spring-Loaded Conformational Change of Influenza Hemagglutinin. Journal of Virology, 2002 May; 76(9):4456-66.
• The Role of Structural Changes in Influenza Hemagglutinin Mediated Fusion, Dissertation, 2002.

Laboratory Specialist

Education

• B.S., Arkansas State University
• M.B.A., Union University

Previous Research Involvement

• Nar'asha Randall: Development of procedure to identify bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide.
• Teala Terrell: Identification of Bacillus and Erwinia Sp. from European Aspen.
• Jeff Hirtes: Identification of an endogenous yeast from European Aspen.
• Carrie Moore: Identification of endogenous bacteria in shoot tip cultures of European Aspen.
• Amber Wilsey: Antimicrobial effects of Sovereign Silver^™ Argentyn 23^® and Oregon Grape Root

University Professor Emeritus of Biology

Education

• B.S.A. and M.S.; Arkansas State University
• Ph.D.; University of Memphis
• Additional Studies; University of Tennessee, Memphis
• Additional Studies; Mid-American Baptist Theological Seminary
• Additional Studies; University of Memphis
• Additional Studies; University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center

Previous Research Involvement

• Vertebrate biology, natural history, and ecology
• Comparative vertebrate anatomy & physiology
• Wildlife rehabilitation, Creation/Evolution issues
• Cougar Sightings - please report your findings

Undergraduate Research Projects Supervised

• Amber Rabun. A preliminary survey of the frequency of deformities in anurans at agricultural and non-agricultural sites in Madison, Chester, and Gibson counties in Tennessee.
• Isaac Lisle. Bat biodiversity in different levels of light pollution.
• Whitney Loftis. Effect of modification of entrance hole size on habitation of next boxes in Beech Bluff, TN.
• Brooklin Byrd. Investigation of occupancy rates of modified and unmodified nesting boxes.
• Nar'Asha Randall. Detection of hydrogen sulfide production by Sarcina lutea. Co-mentor C. Huggins.
• Adrian Cain. Occurrence and variance of external parasites on raptor species.
• Chelsea Cothran. Investigating the escape response to auditory and visual stimuli in American crows. Co-mentor J.R. Kerfoot, Ph.D.
• Virginia Warren: Grazing Preferences of Free-ranging Zebra
• David Hamilton: Maximum Nest Box Construction for Screech Owls
• Amanda Atkinson: Mammalian Ear Ossicles and Niche Placement
• Abby Parker: Shiloh's Nesting Eagles
• Amanda Ellis: Worm medication Regimes for Stabled Horses
• Scott Hawley: Owl Pellets as a Form of Monitoring Small Mammal Populations
• Laura Finley : Using Molecular Techniques to Determine the Presence of Potential Pathogens in Raptors
• Matthew Bershires: Scent Station Attractants in West Tennessee
• Jordan Hughey: Home Ranges and Movements in Box Turtles
• Brian Bodnarchuk: Establishing Artificial Colonies of Louse Flies
• Daniel Cathey: Comparison of Various Attractants at Scent Stations when Estimating Mammalian Populations
• John Hawley: Survival of Relocated Terrapenes
• Phillip Mitchell: Comparisons of Small Mammal Communities in Suburban Woodlands.
• Josh Mann: A Comparison of Species Diversity of Owl Pellet Contents and the Specimens Captured by Conventional Mammal Trapping Techniques.
• Robert Wadley: An Analysis of the Feeding Patterns for Barn Owls Using Owl Pellets Collected in Southwestern Henderson Co., TN.
• Luke Grant: Determination of the Effect of Bobcat Urine on Wildlife Populations in West Tennessee by Use of Scent Stations.
• Josh Smith: Effects of Temperature and Precipitation on the and summer Movements of Terrapene carolinea
• Dexter Rich: Measuring the Effects of Amoxicillen and Fosfomycin Combinations by Disk Diffusion Against E. coli Growth

Scholarship

• M.G. Bolyard, J.A. Huggins, R.A. Wamble, and R. Lewis. 2020. Application of Pigments to Squirrel Legs at Various Stages of the Plastination Process. Journal of Plastination.
• G. R. Vandezande, R.A. Wamble, J.A. Huggins, J.R. Kerfoot, and M. G. Bolyard. 2019. Analysis of Radio Frequency Identification Tagging of Biological Specimens Prior to Plastination. Journal of Plastination, 31(2): 6-14, 2019.
• Smith, M.E., M.L. Kennedy, and J.A. Huggins. 2002. Habitat Use by Three Species of Shrew in Western Tennessee. J. of Tenn. Acad. of Sci.
• Gilley, L.M., M.L. Kennedy, J. A. Huggins, H.L. Hopkins, and K. Hopper. 2001. A comparison of small mammal capture success in untreated and lysol-treated Sherman live traps. J. of Tenn. Acad. of Sci. 76 (1): 34 (abstract)
• Grigg, A., J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 2000. The frequency and occurrence of aggressive behavior in a male lion-tail macaque (Macaca silenus) population and an examination of the effects of kava kava (Piper methysticum) on aggression levels. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 75 (3-4): 91 (abstract)
• Tillery, M., J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 2000. Aggressive interactions and behaviors of three, male western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 75 (3-4): 91 (abstract)
• Heathcott, G., G. C. Brady, J. A. Huggins and H.W. Wofford. 1999. The effects of captivity on the social and behavioral patterns of meerkats. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 74 (3-4): 107 (abstract)
• Wood, L., J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 1999. Utilization of mineral licks by mammals with special emphasis on white-tailed deer. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci 74 (3-4): 103 (abstract)
• James, L. J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 1997. Home range dynamics of field mice in diverse habitats as determined by powdertracking. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 72(3-4): 81 (abstract)
• Beck, M. L., C. J. Biggers, and J. A. Huggins. 1992. Variation in chromosome number in the southern short-tailed shrew Blarina carolinensis. Mammalogica 256:511-512.
• Huggins, J. A. and M. L. Kennedy. 1989. Morphological variation in the masked shrew (Sorex cinereus) and the smokey shrew (S. fumeus). Amer. Midland Naturalist, vol. 122:11-25.
• Burkett, R. D. and J. A. Huggins. 1985. Nerodia rhombifera twinning. Herp. Review, 16 (2): 56.
• Burkett, R. D. and J. A. Huggins. 1985. Nerodia rhombifera coloration. Herp. Review, 16 (2): 56.
• Huggins, J. A. and V. R. McDaniel. 1984. Intraspecific variation within a southeastern population of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster (Rodentia). The Southwest. Natur., 29 (4): 403-406.
• Tabatabai, F. R., J. A. Huggins, and R. A. Smith. 1983. Mallard food habits in western Tennessee. Tn Acad. Sci., 58: 24-26.
• McDaniel, V. R., J. C. Huggins, J. A. Huggins, and M. W. Hinson. 1978 A summary of the status of Harvest mice, Cricetidae: Reithrodontomys in Arkansas. Ar Acad. Sci., 32: 63-64.

Associate Professor of Biology

Education

• B.A., Vanderbilt University
• M.S. & Ph.D, University of Memphis

Professor Emeritus of Biology

Education

• B. S. and M. S.; University of Mississippi
• Ph. D.; Louisiana State University

Research/Scholarship Interests

• Invertebrate zoology, with an emphasis on oligochaetes

Scholarship

• Observations of the Life History of Lutodrilus multivesiculatus (Annelida: Oligochaeta) [manuscript in preparation]
• Ecology of the Limicolous Megadrile Lutodrilus multivesiculatus (Annelida: Oligochaeta), Michael McMahan. 1998, Megadrilogica, 7(6): 40-44
• Anatomical Notes on Lutodrilus multivesiculatus (Annelida: Oligochaeta), Michael McMahan. 1979, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 92(1): 84-97.
• Preliminary Notes on a New Megadrile Species, Genus, and Family from the Southeastern United States, Michael L. McMahan. 1976, Megadrilogica, 2(11): 6-8.
• Solenopsis invicta Buren: Influence on Louisiana Pasture Soil Chemistry, D. C. Herzog, T. E, Reagan, D. C. Sheppard, K. M. Hyde, S. S. Nilakhe, M. Y. B. Hussein, M. L. McMahan, R. C. Thomas, and L. D. Newsom. 1976, Environmental Entomology, 5(1): 160-162.
• Protozoan Parasites of Some Terrestrial Oligochaetes, Michael L. McMahan. 1975, Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 94(2): 279-281.
• A Reevaluation of Pristina longiseta (Oligochaeta: Naididae) in North America, Walter J. Harman and Michael L. McMahan. 1975, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 88(17): 167-178.

Professional Memberships

• Association of Southeastern Biologists
• American Microscopical Society

Professor Emeritus of Biology

Education

• B. A.; Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
• M. S.; University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
• Additional Study in Radiation Biology; University of Tennessee, Memphis

Research/Scholarship Interests

• Testing the effects of herbs and spices on bacterial growth

Undergraduate research projects supervised

• "The antimicrobial effect of allicin extracts of garlic (Allium salivum) on Staphylococcus epidermidis" (Robert Cusanelli).
• "Examination of the incidence of Salmonella on organic and commercially produced eggs" (Kelly Meyer).
• "The effects of a strong electromagnetic field on the growth of E. coli. (Daniel Holsinger).
• "Negative antimicrobial effects of cilantro extract on Sarcina lutea and E. coli" (Benjamin Pham).
• "Inhibition of the growth of Sarcina lutea by extracts of spearmint, Mentha spicata (Heather Higdon).

Scholarship

• Reviewed the following books for Center of Scientific Studies website:
  1. The Coming Plague
  2. None of These Diseases
  3. No Germs Allowed
  4. Secret Agents: The Menace of Emerging Infections
• Co-authored the following paper: "The effect of nickel on thermophilic bacteria wastewater treatment" (Doanh Van and Elsie Y. Smith), presented at the Midsouth Area Engineering and Science Conference, May 11, 2005 at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee.

Professor Emeritus of Biology

Education

• B.S.; Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
• M.S.; University of Missouri, St. Louis
• Ph.D.; St. Louis University, St. Louis

Research/Scholarship Interests

• Genetics
• Cell and Molecular Biology

Undergraduate research projects supervised

• Chelsea David, "Interference of tannin and secondary metabolites with DNA barcoding in angiosperms."
• Brandon Nelms, "Frequency of Delta 3L Deletion of CCR5 Gene in Nelms Family."
• Wesley Hunter Stepp, "Examination of toxicity of codeine vs the bromine in yeast."
• David Tosh, "Screening for Francisella tularensis in West Tennessee populations of the American beaver (Castor canadensis) by the polymerase chain reaction."
• Sara Greenlee, "The Antimicrobial properties of natural honey, clove oil, and ginger oil on the growth of staphylococcus epidermidis."
• Lauren Medforth, "Inhibition of Serratia marcenscens and Staphylococcus epidermidis by essential oils of cumin and clove."
• Hannah Staggs, "Identification of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica in beavers by LAMP amplification and PCR."

Professor Emeritus of Biology

Education

• B. S.; Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
• M.S. and Ph. D.; Texas A & M University

Research/Scholarship Interests

• Ecotoxicology: My main research interest lies in the study of the effect of the introduction of chemicals into the environment, particularly the aquatic environment.
• Distributions of Insects in West Tennessee: I currently am working on a reference collection of insects for the West Tennessee area. This effort concentrates primarily on Madison and Gibson counties.
• Interaction of Science and Faith: For several years, I have been studying the history and relationships of science and faith.

Undergraduate research projects supervised

• Carrie Myers: The effects of common household pesticides on the mortality rate and thanatotic behavior exhibited by the red flour beetle (Tribolium casteneum) (Fall 2011)
• Candice Thompson: The effects of tartrazine and allura red AC on hyperactivity in Drosophila melanogaster (Spring 2010)
• Danielle Teichen: Effects of ascorbic acid on metabolic rate and glutathione liver tissue content in Mus musculus (Spring 2010)
• Augusta Paffrath: Absorption of zinc and lead in Brassicaeae for management of heavy metal contaminated soils (Spring 2010)
• Kayli Anthony: An examination of Malathion resistance in the red flour beetle (Tribolium casteneum) (Spring 2009)
• Amanda Blankenship: Color preference in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) (Spring 2007)
• Adam Foote: An assessment of stream quality in selected streams in West Tennessee: A collaborative study with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (Spring 2007)
• Josh Hall: The effect of carbaryl on the predatory efficiency of Notophthalmus viridescens (Spring 2007)
• Scott Harden: An improved assay for measuring the effect of acetylcholine, caffeine, and nicotine on the heartbeat rate of Triops longicaudatus larvae (Spring 2007)
• Justin Hutto: The effect of 17γ methyltestosterone on the oxygen consumption of the blunt-nosed minnow, Pimephales notatus (Spring 2007)
• Jill Konkol: The effect of DDT on glutathione levels in mouse (Mus musculus) liver (Spring 2007)
• John Lee: The effect of multiple food sources during the larval stage of Actinius luna (Spring 2007)
• Kenneth Lewoczko: Mosquito diversity and seasonality at an enzootic EEE focus in Tennessee (Spring 2007)
• Luke Self: The effects of the size of the tank on the growth and development of goldfish, Carassius auratus (Spring 2007)
• Beth Brown: The effect of acetaminophen on the glutathione level in the livers of the mouse, Mus musculus (Spring 2007)
• Emily Dayton: Amyloid deposition in the cerebral cortex of the mouse, Mus Musculus, due to consumption of Aspartame® (Fall 2006)
• Merry Hindman: An assessment of stream quality of three selected streams in West Tennessee: A collaborative study with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (Fall 2006)
• Trey Thompson: Effects of varying amounts of Gymnema sylestre in alloxan-induced diabetic mice (Fall 2006)
• Kevin Tosh: The effects of increased CO2 on glyphosate and Atrazine® toxicity in Brassica rapa (Fall 2006)

Scholarship

• Wayne Wofford, 2009 Developmental Biology Lab Manual
• Wayne Wofford and Chereyl Crossett, 2004 Botany Lab Manual

Society Memberships

• Association of Southeastern Biologists
• Tennessee Academy of Science