Faculty & Staff
Meet the People Behind UNI Biology
At the University of Northern Iowa, your professors are scholars who put teaching first. They emphasize learning — both inside and outside the classroom — that will help you connect your education to the real world.
Get to know our department, and learn more about our faculty and staff by browsing the directory below.
Faculty-Staff Directory
Dr. Tilahun Abebe
Professor
tilahun.abebe@uni.edu
(319) 273-7151
Dr. Peter Berendzen
Professor
peter.berendzen@uni.edu
(319) 273-7026
Dr. Nathan Bird
Associate Professor
nathan.bird@uni.edu
(319) 273-2454
Dr. James Demastes
Professor
jim.demastes@uni.edu
(319) 273-2022
Dr. Kenneth Elgersma
Associate Professor
kenneth.elgersma@uni.edu
(319) 273-2645
Dr. Jerreme Jackson
Assistant Professor
jerreme.jackson@uni.edu
(319) 273-6880
Dr. Laura Jackson
Director of the Tallgrass Prairie Center
Professor
laura.l.jackson@uni.edu
(319) 273-2705
Dr. Julie Kang
Associate Professor
julie.kang@uni.edu
(319) 273-7152
Dr. David McClenahan
Associate Professor
david.mcclenahan@uni.edu
(319) 273-2218
Dr. Steve O'Kane
Professor
steve.okane@uni.edu
(319) 273-2219
Dr. Nilda Rodriguez
Associate Professor
nilda.rodriguez@uni.edu
(319) 273-6505
Dr. David Saunders
Professor
david.saunders@uni.edu
319-273-5976
Dr. Marek Sliwinski
Associate Professor
marek.k.sliwinski@uni.edu
(319) 273-5467
Dr. Jeff Tamplin
Professor
jeff.tamplin@uni.edu
(319) 273-2327
Dr. Carl Thurman
Professor
carl.thurman@uni.edu
(319) 273-2276
Dr. Michael Walter
Associate Professor
michael.walter@uni.edu
(319) 273-6490
Dr. Ai Wen
Assistant Professor
ai.wen@uni.edu
(319) 273-2670
Dr. Jesse Wilcox
Assistant Professor
jesse.wilcox@uni.edu
(319) 273-2770
Instructors
Dr. Kim Cline-Brown
Instructor
kim.cline-brown@uni.edu
(319) 273-6303
Ms. Mary McDade
Instructor
mary.mcdade@uni.edu
(319) 273-6994
Adjunct Instructors
Staff
Hannah Loy
Botanical Center Horticulturist
hannah.loy@uni.edu
(319) 273-6054
Shelly Frein
Office Coordinator
shelly.frein@uni.edu
(319) 273-2456
Jon Luiken
Laboratory Specialist
jon.luiken@uni.edu
(319) 273-2827