84th ANNUAL MEETING OF ASB
WINSTON-SALEM, NC
MARCH 23 - MARCH 26, 2023
NOMINEES FOR ASB 2023 OFFICER ELECTIONS
The following individuals were nominated by the ASB Nominations Committee and have agreed to serve in the indicated capacities if elected. Elections will take place online only. ASB Members will receive an electronic invitation to vote via SurveyMonkey. Each member is limited to a single vote through this e-invitation, and all voting will be anonymous. There are opportunities to indicate write-in candidates on the ballot. Voting for these elections will close at midnight during the ASB 2023 annual meeting. Results of the election will be announced at the Awards Banquet.
VICE PRESIDENT
Heather Joesting, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA
Dr. Heather Joesting is an Associate Professor of Biology and Senior Scientist of the Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center at Georgia Southern University in Savannah. Heather received her B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, M.S. in Environmental and Plant Biology from Ohio University, and Ph.D. in Biology from Wake Forest University. Prior to her position at Georgia Southern, Heather was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Her research program focuses on coastal plant ecology and sustainability, and her lab combines native plant nursery production for restoration with sustainable fish production through aquaponics. Research mentorship, both undergraduate and graduate students, is very important to Heather, and she has mentored over 30 undergraduate and 3 graduate students since 2013. She also teaches a range of courses at all levels, including environmental biology for non-majors, introductory biology, and upper-level major courses in Barrier Island Ecology, Plant Ecology, and Sustainable Agriculture. Heather has been attending ASB since 2014, bringing two or more students each year to present their research. Heather currently serves as a Member at Large on the ASB Executive Committee, as well as the ASB Awards Coordinator and chair of the ASB Student Poster and Presentation Awards Committee and ASB and Affiliates Awards Committee. Heather would be honored to continue serving ASB as Vice President.
Dr. Heather Joesting is an Associate Professor of Biology and Senior Scientist of the Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center at Georgia Southern University in Savannah. Heather received her B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, M.S. in Environmental and Plant Biology from Ohio University, and Ph.D. in Biology from Wake Forest University. Prior to her position at Georgia Southern, Heather was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Her research program focuses on coastal plant ecology and sustainability, and her lab combines native plant nursery production for restoration with sustainable fish production through aquaponics. Research mentorship, both undergraduate and graduate students, is very important to Heather, and she has mentored over 30 undergraduate and 3 graduate students since 2013. She also teaches a range of courses at all levels, including environmental biology for non-majors, introductory biology, and upper-level major courses in Barrier Island Ecology, Plant Ecology, and Sustainable Agriculture. Heather has been attending ASB since 2014, bringing two or more students each year to present their research. Heather currently serves as a Member at Large on the ASB Executive Committee, as well as the ASB Awards Coordinator and chair of the ASB Student Poster and Presentation Awards Committee and ASB and Affiliates Awards Committee. Heather would be honored to continue serving ASB as Vice President.
Ricky Fiorillo, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA
I am a Professor of Biology at Georgia Gwinnett College with a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University (Hail State!) in Biological Science and a M.S. and B.S. in Biology from Southeastern Louisiana University. As an ecological parasitologist, I love sharing my passion of ‘buttworms’ with undergraduates and anyone who’d listen. I attended my first ASB meeting, as student, in the last millennium in Boone, NC, and I fell in love with ASB then. To be honest, it was the Thursday Social that initially brought me back 😊. Since then, I have come to appreciate what an amazing organization ASB truly is and the positive impact it has had on my career as an teacher, mentor and researcher. I love this organization, and I love what our society strives to do for students. Over the years, I have brought many undergraduates and graduate students to ASB, for most, it was their first presentation. I have always been impressed by how welcoming and supportive our membership has been of our students and what a positive impact our society can have on aspiring biologists. It is with that purpose in mind, that I hope to continue to serve ASB as your Vice President. But do not be alarmed, I have served before, without major incidents, as an Executive Committee Member-at-large (2014-2017), Program Committee Co-Chair (2012-2020), Student Research Award Committee (member/chair – 2007-2010) and Education Committee (member/chair 2004-2007).
I am a Professor of Biology at Georgia Gwinnett College with a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University (Hail State!) in Biological Science and a M.S. and B.S. in Biology from Southeastern Louisiana University. As an ecological parasitologist, I love sharing my passion of ‘buttworms’ with undergraduates and anyone who’d listen. I attended my first ASB meeting, as student, in the last millennium in Boone, NC, and I fell in love with ASB then. To be honest, it was the Thursday Social that initially brought me back 😊. Since then, I have come to appreciate what an amazing organization ASB truly is and the positive impact it has had on my career as an teacher, mentor and researcher. I love this organization, and I love what our society strives to do for students. Over the years, I have brought many undergraduates and graduate students to ASB, for most, it was their first presentation. I have always been impressed by how welcoming and supportive our membership has been of our students and what a positive impact our society can have on aspiring biologists. It is with that purpose in mind, that I hope to continue to serve ASB as your Vice President. But do not be alarmed, I have served before, without major incidents, as an Executive Committee Member-at-large (2014-2017), Program Committee Co-Chair (2012-2020), Student Research Award Committee (member/chair – 2007-2010) and Education Committee (member/chair 2004-2007).
MEMBER AT LARGE (two seats)
Julie Ballenger, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA
Dr. Julie Ballenger is a professor in the Department of Biology at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. In addition to teaching a variety of classes and conducting research with students, she hass erved in a variety of administrative roles; Chair and Assistant Chair of Biology, Assistant Director for International Education, Interim Director of Oxbow Meadows Environmental Outreach, and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences. Dr. Ballenger currently serves Tri-Beta, the biology honor society, as their national president. Dr. Ballenger has been an ASB member since 1996 and has been bringing students to ASB where they have presented under Tri-Beta since 1997. Dr. Ballenger’s research focus is on endangered plants as well as the removal of invasive plant species. She has conducted extensive research on the plant communities found in the wetlands of the sandhill region in West Central Georgia.
Dr. Julie Ballenger is a professor in the Department of Biology at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. In addition to teaching a variety of classes and conducting research with students, she hass erved in a variety of administrative roles; Chair and Assistant Chair of Biology, Assistant Director for International Education, Interim Director of Oxbow Meadows Environmental Outreach, and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences. Dr. Ballenger currently serves Tri-Beta, the biology honor society, as their national president. Dr. Ballenger has been an ASB member since 1996 and has been bringing students to ASB where they have presented under Tri-Beta since 1997. Dr. Ballenger’s research focus is on endangered plants as well as the removal of invasive plant species. She has conducted extensive research on the plant communities found in the wetlands of the sandhill region in West Central Georgia.
Joydeep Bhattacharjee, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, LA
Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee is a Professor in the School of Sciences, at the University of Louisiana, Monroe. He has over 16 years of teaching experience at the university and has been conducting field research both nationally and internationally for over two decades. As an ecologist, his research interests include the estimation of carbon and water fluxes at the forest level, forest stress assessment using CNN (convolutional neural network - machine learning) with UAV-collected data, bottomland hardwood forest succession, and riparian communities. He has an ongoing research project in the Himalaya, where he has taken graduate and undergraduate students to study the impacts of damming a fast-flowing river. Additionally, over the past decade, he has also worked closely with over 50 area school teachers on several grants aimed at restructuring science teaching at the middle and high school levels. His students have been presenting research at the Annual Meeting of the ABS regularly since 2006 and have won the Outstanding Student Oral Presentation Award, the Eugene P. Odum Award, and Student Travel Award, more than once. He also holds the Charles Allen Endowed Professorship for his contributions in the areas of research and teaching. When time allows, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, traveling, and cooking.
Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee is a Professor in the School of Sciences, at the University of Louisiana, Monroe. He has over 16 years of teaching experience at the university and has been conducting field research both nationally and internationally for over two decades. As an ecologist, his research interests include the estimation of carbon and water fluxes at the forest level, forest stress assessment using CNN (convolutional neural network - machine learning) with UAV-collected data, bottomland hardwood forest succession, and riparian communities. He has an ongoing research project in the Himalaya, where he has taken graduate and undergraduate students to study the impacts of damming a fast-flowing river. Additionally, over the past decade, he has also worked closely with over 50 area school teachers on several grants aimed at restructuring science teaching at the middle and high school levels. His students have been presenting research at the Annual Meeting of the ABS regularly since 2006 and have won the Outstanding Student Oral Presentation Award, the Eugene P. Odum Award, and Student Travel Award, more than once. He also holds the Charles Allen Endowed Professorship for his contributions in the areas of research and teaching. When time allows, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, traveling, and cooking.
Bruce Cahoon, University of Virginia's College at Wise, Wise, VA
Dr. Bruce Cahoon is a Professor and the Buchanan Endowed Chair of Biology at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise – a liberal arts division of the University of Virginia. Bruce earned B.Sand M.S. degrees in Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University, his PhD in Biology from theUniversity of Virginia, and he was a post-doctoral fellow at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research at Cornell University. Prior to joining UVa Wise he was a professor in the Department of Biology at Middle Tennessee State University for 11 years where he mentored M.S., PhD, and many undergraduate researchers. Bruce’s background and training are primarily in plant molecular genetics and one of his current research interests is the diversity of mRNA processing patterns in different algal lineages. His interests in microalgae extend beyond the inner workings of organelles as he and his students also explore microbial biodiversity and ecology in Appalachia using eDNA metabarcoding. Dr. Cahoon is a strong proponent of undergraduate research, having mentored dozens of students, some of whom have presented at ASB (and other) meetings, and/or earned co-authorship on numerous studies. He currently teaches courses in Introductory Biology, Plant Physiology, Molecular Genetics, Environmental Microbiology, and Research Methods. Bruce’s first ASB meeting was in 2018 where he learned what an excellent and nurturing environment it was for undergraduate students in diverse areas of biology. He currently serves on ASBs Graduate Student Support Award committee.
Dr. Bruce Cahoon is a Professor and the Buchanan Endowed Chair of Biology at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise – a liberal arts division of the University of Virginia. Bruce earned B.Sand M.S. degrees in Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University, his PhD in Biology from theUniversity of Virginia, and he was a post-doctoral fellow at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research at Cornell University. Prior to joining UVa Wise he was a professor in the Department of Biology at Middle Tennessee State University for 11 years where he mentored M.S., PhD, and many undergraduate researchers. Bruce’s background and training are primarily in plant molecular genetics and one of his current research interests is the diversity of mRNA processing patterns in different algal lineages. His interests in microalgae extend beyond the inner workings of organelles as he and his students also explore microbial biodiversity and ecology in Appalachia using eDNA metabarcoding. Dr. Cahoon is a strong proponent of undergraduate research, having mentored dozens of students, some of whom have presented at ASB (and other) meetings, and/or earned co-authorship on numerous studies. He currently teaches courses in Introductory Biology, Plant Physiology, Molecular Genetics, Environmental Microbiology, and Research Methods. Bruce’s first ASB meeting was in 2018 where he learned what an excellent and nurturing environment it was for undergraduate students in diverse areas of biology. He currently serves on ASBs Graduate Student Support Award committee.
Dennis Haney, Furman University, Greenville, SC
Dr. Dennis Haney is a Professor in the Biology Department at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, having been at Furman University since 1997. He received a B.A. in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, a M.S. in Zoology from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Florida (1996). Dr. Haney’s research is in the area of environmental and comparative physiology. More specifically he is interested in the physiological responses of animals,
especially fish, to environmental stressors. Since 1999 Dr. Haney has been involved in an interdisciplinary watershed research program at Furman University, the River Basins Research Initiative (RBRI), collaborating with colleagues in the Biology and Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences departments. His research has focused on studying the interactions between historic and present-day land use with water chemistry and geomorphology and how these factors affect the distribution and physiology of local stream fish. He is a strong advocate of undergraduate research, helping to mentor well over 150 undergraduate students since 1997. Dr. Haney’s students have given numerous presentations at national and regional scientific conferences, many at the ASB annual meetings, and have been co-authors on a number of publications. Dr. Haney was Chair of the Biology department at Furman University for 9 years and teaches courses in Animal Physiology, Human Physiology, Marine Biology, Biostatistics, and has led field courses in Florida, the Bahamas, Belize, China, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands. Dr. Haney has been a member of ASB since 1995, served for two years as the ASB web editor, has served on and chaired the Poster Awards Committee, the Student Research Awards Committee, and the Education committee, and was the Program Chair for the 2008 annual meeting of the ASB.
Dr. Dennis Haney is a Professor in the Biology Department at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, having been at Furman University since 1997. He received a B.A. in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, a M.S. in Zoology from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Florida (1996). Dr. Haney’s research is in the area of environmental and comparative physiology. More specifically he is interested in the physiological responses of animals,
especially fish, to environmental stressors. Since 1999 Dr. Haney has been involved in an interdisciplinary watershed research program at Furman University, the River Basins Research Initiative (RBRI), collaborating with colleagues in the Biology and Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences departments. His research has focused on studying the interactions between historic and present-day land use with water chemistry and geomorphology and how these factors affect the distribution and physiology of local stream fish. He is a strong advocate of undergraduate research, helping to mentor well over 150 undergraduate students since 1997. Dr. Haney’s students have given numerous presentations at national and regional scientific conferences, many at the ASB annual meetings, and have been co-authors on a number of publications. Dr. Haney was Chair of the Biology department at Furman University for 9 years and teaches courses in Animal Physiology, Human Physiology, Marine Biology, Biostatistics, and has led field courses in Florida, the Bahamas, Belize, China, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands. Dr. Haney has been a member of ASB since 1995, served for two years as the ASB web editor, has served on and chaired the Poster Awards Committee, the Student Research Awards Committee, and the Education committee, and was the Program Chair for the 2008 annual meeting of the ASB.
