100% of the Biology Department’s full-time professors have Ph.D.s. They also have expertise in multiple areas of their respective disciplines. This gives the students a broad integrative approach to each course taken. Faculty seek to provide an educational experience that integrates academic excellence with Christian character, world view, and service.
Randy Dovel, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor of Biology
Ph.D., Texas A & M University
Dr. Dovel is trained as a plant physiologist. He teaches botany, genetics, microbiology and field biology. He has been an active researcher in field biology, nitrogen fixation, and plant/pathogen relationships for the last 18+ years. His current research interests include plant breeding, plant molecular biology, and microbial water quality analysis. Dr. Dovel is a member of the Gamma Sigma Delta honor society and a recipient of the E.R. Jackman Team Award recognizing team and interdisciplinary research.
Dr. Dovel is the primary advisor for Biol 488: Senior Projects.
Email: rldovel@vanguard.edu
Cecil Miller, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology and Cell & Molecular Biology
B.A., Southern California College (now Vanguard University of Southern California)
Ph.D., Loma Linda University
EMBA, Drucker School of Management
Masters degree studies focused on neurophysiology. Ph.D. studies focused on cell physiology as applied to cancer biology. Various phytochemicals were tested as to their efficacy in inhibiting the carcinogenic effects of tobacco products. Dr. Miller completed a 3 year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California (USC) Norris Cancer Center where he studied the genetic changes resulting in cell immortality and mechanisms of chemical carcinogenics. Author of numerous articles in professional journals and presenter of papers at professional society meetings.
Besides teaching and research Dr. Miller has held numerous administrative positions at Vanguard including department chair, division chair, dean, and associate provost.
Email: cmiller@vanguard.edu
Tara M. Sirvent, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
B.A. 1996, Southern California College (now Vanguard University of Southern California)
Ph.D. 2001, Cornell University
Dr. Sirvent’s research interest lies in Natural Products Chemistry with a focus on phytomedicinal plants. She actively recruits undergraduates (especially freshmen) in research. Her students present their research results at National and Regional Conferences.
Dr. Sirvent coordinates the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) which affords undergraduates an opportunity to participate in Undergraduate Research (UGR). She is also the faculty sponsor of the student group, SAINTS (Student Affiliates in Natural and Technological Sciences). SAINTS is nationally chartered as a SAACS group (Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society) and Dr. Sirvent is the advisor.
ADJUNCT FACULTY |
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| Mitch Hopkins, D.C. Adjunct Professor Biology B.A., Excelsior College D.C., Southern California University of Health ScienceDr. Hopkins has appeared on numerous radio education shows, as well as The Discovery Channel where he was interviewed on his methodologies and treatments of ADD/ADHD, nutrition and brain rhythm function. Email: drhopkins@pearlm.com |
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| Michael Smith, M.A. Adjunct Professor of Biology B.S., Florida State University M.A. in Biology, St. Joseph CollegeMichael is also a pastor at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. Email: thesngroup@me.com |
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| Vivian Soo, Ph.D. (in progress) Adjunct Professor of Biology B.S. in Genetics and History, University of California, Berkeley M.A. in Cell and Molecular Biology, Calfornia State University, San Francisco Ph.D. in Education (in progress), Azusa Pacific University Email: vivsoo345@yahoo.com; |
STAFF
Mark Burton; mburton@vanguard.edu; Laboratory Manager; B.S. in Biology
Sharon Fissette; sfissette@vanguard.edu; Secretary
