HFEC-2015 The Speakers

Lisa Sardinia is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at Pacific University. She received a B.S. in Biology from Whitworth College, a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Montana State University and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Following graduate school, she was awarded a National Cancer Institute research fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco studying molecular genetics before beginning a teaching career that has included stints at San Francisco State University, St. Olaf College, Foothill College and Pacific University. At Pacific University, she teaches Molecular Biology and Microbiology in the College of Arts and Sciences, Basic Science for Optometry in the College of Optometry and Genetics in the Physician Assistant Studies and Audiology programs. She has been the recipient of the Thomas J. and Joyce Holce Endowed Professorship in Science and the S.S. Johnson Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching at Pacific University. Her research with students focuses on microbiological analysis of freshwater streams in Metro’s Chehalem Ridge Natural Area. Her educational outreach activities include numerous Science Pub and Nerd Night presentations, as well as presentations to various professional and community groups on stem cell research and ethics, genetic testing, epigenetics and parasite symbioses.

Dr. Mitchell Turker

Dr. Turker is a Senior Scientist in the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Science and a Professor in Molecular and Medical Genetics at Oregon Health & Science University. His research interests are in genetic and epigenetic mechanisms leading to abnormal gene expression in mammalian cells.