Rebekah Janet Ward

Email Address: rward1@ggc.edu

EDUCATION____________

CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca, NY

Doctor of Philosophy, Microbiology, Granted May 2009, Minors: Biochemistry and

Genetics

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, GA

Bachelor of Science – Biology, 2003

EXPERIENCE _____________

GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE, Lawrenceville, GA 2013- present

Associate Professor, promoted from Assistant Professor in 2019

• Taught diverse courses including Principles of Biology I and II, Genetics, Principles of

Microbiology, Microbiology for Allied Health, Environmental Toxicology,

Interdisciplinary Applications of Biology, and Bioinformatics.

• Mentored numerous students and part-time faculty

• Served as Faculty Senate Secretary for seven years.

GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE, Lawrenceville, GA 2011- 2013

Biology Adjunct Instructor

• Instructed diverse students in introductory biology for both majors and non-majors

• Innovated several inquiry driven in-class activities

• Developed a theme-based course for non-majors biology

• Designed two new laboratory exercises for introductory biology

THE ATLANTA SCHOOL, Atlanta GA 2010-2013

Science Curriculum Design and Instruction

• Mentored elementary and middle school teachers in science instruction and curriculum

design.

• Designed new lab space, purchased required materials and trained students and

instructors on standard protocols.

• Directed lab and classroom instruction of fifth through ninth grade students.

MARINE BIOLOGICAL LBOROATORIES, Woods Hole MA 2010-2011

Environmental Microbiology Course Coordinator and Mentor

• Coordinated all guest speakers’ visits and lecture needs.

• Ordered supplies and equipment for individual student projects and general laboratory

needs

• Instructed students in transmission electron microscopy for visualization of viruses and

bacteria

• Mentored the 2011 Course Coordinator in standard duties

EMORY UNIVERSITY, Department of Microbiology and Immunology 2008-2009

Postdoctoral Fellow

• Investigated the transcriptional cascade leading to the activation of sG during B. subtilis

endospore formation using fluorescence microscopy of two-hybrid and fusion proteins

• Optimized new protocols for cryofixation for transmission electron microscopy in

collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Wright and Hong Yee

CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Department of Microbiology, Ithaca NY 2003-2008

PhD Candidate

• Developed a protocol for in situ detection of the nucleotide analogue bromodeoxyuridine

(BrdU) for monitoring cell cycle progression in Clostridium lentocellum

• Carried out cryofixation, freeze substitution, and embedding for transmission electron

microscopy on samples of M. polyspora and Epulopiscium sp.

• Partnered with Dr. Eugene Madsen on assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

biodegradation in sedmients.

• Completed metagenomic analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization on gastrointestinal

microbiota of the tropical reef fish Pomacanthus sexstriatus

Co-Instructor, General Microbiology Lab Fall 2007, 2003-2004

• Prepared and present pre-lab lectures

• Assisted students in proper laboratory techniques including microscopy, culturing,

staining, isolation of unknowns, protein expression assays, DNA extraction and PCR

Teaching Assistant, General Microbiology Lecture Fall 2007, 2003-2004

• Developed activities and homework assignments

• Graded writing assignments, small group projects and exams

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY 2002-2003

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Biology

• Investigated a novel ORF in Caenorhabditis elegans that is homologous to the human

Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule (DS-CAM) through in situ hybridization of

mRNA

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY 2001-2002

Laboratory Technician, Department of Biology

• Maintained supplies, media and glassware at appropriate levels

• Assisted with research on bacterial siderophores

PUBLICATIONS _________________

Ward, RJ, Allen, ME, Fernandes da Costa, S, Feld, HK, Clements, KD, Choat, JH, and ER

Angert. Analysis of the microbial community of Pomacanthus sexstriatus and implications for

coral reef ecology. In preparation.

Lawless, C, Zedonek, M, Curtis, D, Scharringhausen, J, Bryant, J, Dustman, W, Kurtz, L and

RJWard. (2018) Identification and Characterization of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria Associated with

Kudzu Root Nodules. Georgia Journal of Science, 2018. Accepted.

Author of four chapters in Norman-McKay, L. (2018). Microbiology: Basic and clinical

principles. New York, NY: Pearson.

Brown, C, Talley, J, Ward, RJ, Brandon, C, Penn, J, and E Javazon. (2017) Assessing Student

Progress and Performance across the Curriculum: A Tool to Evaluate Program Success Quickly.

Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference.

Pierce, K, A Kurtz, and RJ Ward. Rhizofiltration of Lead Contaminated Soil by Helianthus

annuus amended with Bacillus megaterium and EDTA. Fine Focus Magazine, 2015. 1(2): p. 95-

108

Brauer, S, Cadillo-Quiroz, H, Ward, RJ, Yavitt, J and S Zinder. Methanoregula boonei gen. nov,

sp. Nov, an acidophilic methanogen isolated from and acidic peat bog. International Journal of

Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 2011. 61, p. 45-52.

Park, D, JA Finlay, RJ Ward, CJ Weinman, S Krishnan, M Paik, KE Sohn, ME Callow, DL

Handlin, CL Willis, DA Fischer, ER Angert, EJ Kramer, and CK Ober. Antimicrobial behavior

of semifluorinated-quaternized triblock copolymers against airborne and marine

microorganisms. ACS Applied Material and Interfaces, 2010. 2(3): p. 703-11.

Ward, RJ, KD Clements, JH Choat and ER Angert. The cytology of terminally differentiated

Epulopiscium mother cells. DNA and Cell Biology, 2009. 28(2): p. 57-64.

Ward, RJ and ER Angert. DNA replication during endospore development in Metabacterium polyspora.

Molecular Microbiology, 2008. 67(6): p. 1360-1370.

Krishnan, S, RJ Ward, A Hexemer, KE Sohn, KL Lee, ER Angert, DA Fischer, EJ Kramer and

CK Ober. Surfaces of fluorinated pyridinium block copolymers with enhanced antibacterial

activity. Langmuir, 2006. 22(26); p. 11255-66.

POSTERS AND PRESENTATIONS____________

Darr, P, Ward, RJ, and W. Dustman (May 2018) Preliminary Assessment of a Microbial

Ecology Research Capstone for Gains in STEM Skills and Attitudes. Poster Presentation at

the GGC STEM symposium.

Cuello, C, Keller, S, Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (April 2018) Investigations into

food safety in chicken eggs. Oral presentation at CREATE Symposium, Lawrenceville GA.

Tran, N, Keller, S, Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (April 2018) Investigations of

Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in Century Duck Eggs and Quail Eggs. Oral

presentation at CREATE Symposium, Lawrenceville GA.

Delgado, D, P. Sakaris, S. Keller, W. A. Dustman, A. M. Kurtz, and RJ Ward. (March 2018)

Variables Affecting Community Composition of Fish Gastrointestinal Microbial Flora. Oral

presentation at 79th Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Myrtle

Beach, SC.

Darr, P, Ward, RJ, and W Dustman. (March 2018) Preliminary Assessment of a Microbial

Ecology Research Capstone for Gains in STEM Skills and Attitudes. Poster at GGC

Teaching and Learning Day

Delgado, D, Anwar, T. McCallister, S, Sakaris, P, Keller, S, Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ

Ward. (December 2017) Phylogenetic and functional analysis of the impact of water quality

on fish gastrointestinal microbiota. Oral presentation at CREATE Symposium,

Lawrenceville GA.

Dillard, I, Sakaris, P, Keller, S, Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (December 2017) The

role of Fusobacteria in fish digestion. Oral presentation at CREATE Symposium,

Lawrenceville GA.

Sifuentes, S, Donahue, K. Sakaris, S, Ward, RJ, Katzman, S. and E Javason. (December

2017) Affects of water quality on the immune response in catfish. Oral presentation at

CREATE Symposium, Lawrenceville GA.

Brown, C. Talley, J, Ward, RJ, Brandon, C, Penn, J, and E Javazon. (March 2017). Assessing

Student Progress and Performance across the Curriculum: A Tool to Evaluate Program

Success Quickly. Oral presentation at Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning

Conference, Savannah GA.

Ward, R, Shipman, S, and D Curry. (March 2017) Writing Across the Curriculum for Senior

Biology Students: a Case Study. Oral presentation at Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching &

Learning Conference, Savannah GA.

Darr, P, Ward, R, and W Dustman. (March 2017) Preliminary Assessment of an

Undergraduate Biology Capstone Course for Gains in Research Skills and Attitudes. Oral

presentation at Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference, Savannah GA.

Azzolino, K, Witcher, B, Sakaris, P, Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (December 2016)

Investigations into the gut microbiome of local fish. Oral presentation at CREATE

Symposium, Lawrenceville GA.

Darr, P, Ward, R, and W Dustman. (July 2016) Microbes Rule! Using Microbial

Communities to Foster Creative Collabartive Undergraduate Research Experiences and

Promote STEM Competencies. Oral presentation at ASMCUE, Bethesda MD.

Lawless, C, Zedonek, M, Curtis, D, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (May 2016) Unearthing Kudzu’s

nitrogen fixing partners. Oral presentation at GGC STEM Symposium. Stone Mountain,

GA.

Ward, RJ, Dustman, W, and P Darr. (May 2016) Assessing student engagement in an inquiry

driven biology capstone class. Oral presentation at GGC STEM Symposium. Stone

Mountain, GA.

Brown, C, Ward, RJ, and J Talley. (April 2016) Assessing student outcomes using novel

project based learning. Oral presentation at Southeastern Association of

Biologists. Chattanooga, TN.

Lawless, C, Zedonek, M, Curtis, D, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (April 2016) Characterization of

enzymes associated with nitrogen fixing bacteria from Puereria montana nodules. Oral

presentation at Southeastern Association of Biologists. Concord, NC.

Zedonek, M, Curtis, D, Lawless, C,, Abdullah, A, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (April 2016)

Characterization of enzymes associated with nitrogen fixing bacteria from Puereria montana

nodules. Oral presentation at Southeastern Association of Biologists. Concord, NC.

Bryant, J. Murell, C, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (April 2016) NifD protein mutations and

associated impact on nitrogen fixation. Oral presentation at CREATE Symposium,

Lawrenceville GA.

Lawless, C, Zedonek, M, Curtis, D, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (November 2015) Investigations

into Nitrogen fixing bacteria associated with Puereria montana. Oral presentation at

Southeastern American Society of Microbiology, Birmingham, AL.

Brown, C, Talley, J, Ward, RJ, and C Brandon. (May, 2015) An Innovative Method For

Assessing Student Progress And Performance On The Biology Program Core Goals. Oral

presentation at SST STEM Symposium, Stone Mountain, GA.

Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (April 2015) Assessment of an inquiry driven

microbiology module: Small World Initiative. Oral presentation at Association of

Southeastern Biologists, Chattanooga, TN.

Brown, C, Talley, J, Ward, RJ, and C. Brandon (April 2015) Evaluation of collective grading

methods for short answer format assessment. Poster presentation at Association of

Southeastern Biologists, Chattanooga, TN.

Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward (April 2015) Assessment of an inquiry driven

microbiology module: Small World Initiative. Oral presentation at the University System of

Georgia Teaching and Learning Conference, Athens, GA.

Brown, C, Talley, J, Ward, RJ, and C Brandon. (February, 2015) An Innovative Method For

Assessing Student Progress And Performance On The Biology Program Core Goals. Oral

presentation at Governor’s Teaching Fellowship Symposium, Athens, GA.

Dustman, W, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (January 2015) Assessment of an inquiry driven

microbiology module: Small World Initiative. Oral presentation at the SoTL Commons

Conference, Savannah, GA.

Pearce, K, Kurtz, L, and RJ Ward. (September 2014) Bioremediation potential for Bacillus

megaterium amended soil with sunflowers. Poster presentation at Emory STEM Symposium,

Atlanta, GA.

Hurst-Kennedy, J, Talley, J, and RJ Ward. (April 2014) Developing assessments for inquiry

driven Genetics laboratory modules. Poster presentation at Association of Southeastern

Biologists, Greensboro, NC.

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS____________

DNA AND CELL BIOLOGY 2009

• Young Scholar Award – highlight the research achievements of the next generation of

scientists

CORNELL UNIVERSITY 2004

• Outstanding TA Award, CALS, Microbiology Department

VOLUNTEERING____________

CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Center for Learning and Teaching 2005-2006

Teaching Assistant Training Workshop Leader

• Mentored new graduate students on teaching assistant skills

• Demonstrated sample teaching styles

• Provided guidance and feedback on videotaped practice teaching modules

CORNELL UNIVERSITY, The Microbial World 2006

Workshop Teaching Assistant

• Assisted with a workshop for high school teachers to engage the teachers in microbiology

and demonstrate lab projects that they can use in their classes to explore microbial

diversity, genetics, symbiosis and microbial processes.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Expanding your Horizons Program 2006-2007

Workshop Leader

• In collaboration with other graduate students, designed and taught an inquiry-based,

hands-on, 2-hour workshop for young women in order to encourage women in science