
School of Arts & Sciences
Natural Science Faculty
Pictured above are the men and women who are the faculty in the Department of Natural Science.
Dr. Jenny Sattler, Chair
Chair, Department of Natural Science
Associate Professor of Physics
Department of Natural Science
Phone: (580) 327 - 8568
Fax: (580) 327 - 8556
Email: jasattler@nwosu.edu
Office: SC 107-B
Laboratory: SC 108 and SC 110
Education:
- Ph.D. East Carolina University (Biomedical Physics) 2013
- M.S. East Carolina University (Medical Physics) 2013
- M.S. University of North Dakota (Physics) 2005
- B.S. University of North Dakota (Physics) 2003
Courses Taught:
- General Physics I and II
- General Astronomy
- Radiation Biology
- General Physical Science
- Earth and Space Science
- Modern Physics
- Classical Mechanics
- Nuclear Physics
- Optics
Research/Scholarly Interests:
- Cancer biology
- Radiation biology
- Astronomy
Northwestern Roles/Activites:
- BEST Robotics
- Science Fair
- Study Abroad
Dr. Nicholus Ledbetter
Assistant Professor of Biology
Department of Natural Science
Phone: (580) 327 - 8673
Email: nmledbetter@nwosu.edu
Office: SC 201-A
Education:
- Ph.D. University of Tulsa (Biology) 2021
- B.S. University of Central Arkansas, Conway (Biology) 2016
Courses Taught:
- General Zoology
- Natural History of the Vertebrates
- Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- Mechanisms of Animal Development
- Animal Physiology Lab
- Cell and Molecular Biology Lab
Research/Scholarly Interests:
- Macroevolution
- Evolutionary Morphology
- Evolutionary Development
- Phylogenetics
- Limb Reduction
- Herpetology
Career Highlights:
- Authored Seven Publications
- Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Kansas State University
- Research Grant from the American Museum of Natural History
Hobbies:
- Herping aka catching/observing reptiles and amphibians
- Nature photography
- Video/trading card games
Dr. Rebecca MacKay
Assistant Professor of Biology
Phone: (580) 327-8566
Office: Science Building 201-B
E-Mail: rnmackay@nwosu.edu
Education
- PhD in Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, 2022
- MS in Marine Sciences, Savannah State University, 2018
- BS in Zoology, University of Florida, 2015
Courses Taught
- General Biology
- Ecology
- Biology Seminar
- Limnology
- Field Techniques
Scholarly Interests
- Parasitology
- Animal Behavior
- Ecology
- Aquatic Systems
Career Highlights
- Author on multiple publications
- Many grants from Local and National Agencies
- Teaching experience at 5 different universities
Hobbies
- Cooking and watching people cook on TV
- Traveling anywhere I haven't been
- Board games (and DND!)
- Snuggling with my dogs
- Being in the water
Dr. Cornelia Mihai
Professor of Organic Chemistry
Phone: (580) 327-8559
Fax: (580) 327-8556
Office: Science Building 100-A
E-Mail: cmihai@nwosu.edu
Education
- PhD, Medicinal Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, August 2001
- MS in Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, 1996
- BS in Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, 1981
Courses Taught:
- CHEM 1105 Chemistry for Non-Majors
- CHEM X114 Organic Chemistry I & II
- BIOL/CHEM 4143 Biochemistry
- BIOL/CHEM 4152 Biochemistry Lab
- CHEM 4125Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 4153 Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 4480 Chemistry Seminar
Research/Scholarly Interests:
- Research at the interface of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
- Drug discovery
- Serving as an academic advisor for undergraduate students in areas of Chemistry
Career Highlights:
- More than 10 years research experience (3 years post-doctoral and 10 years pre-doctoral).
- Proven record in Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry, Mechanistic and Synthetic Enzymology and Analytical Chemistry.
- Proficiency in design, synthesis and characterization of organic compounds using classical and modern analytical techniques.
- In-depth knowledge of enzymes purification, enzyme characterization, enzyme kinetics, enzyme inhibition and assay development using different biochemical and biophysical techniques.
- Demonstrated skills in management of chemical and biochemical laboratories.
- Supervisory and training experience in an academic R&D setting.
- More than 14 years diverse teaching experience.
- Grants writing skills.
Hobbies:
- Science fiction movies
- New age music
- Traveling
Dr. Venkata Moorthy
Professor of Biology
Phone: (580) 327-8565
Fax: (580) 327-8556
Office: SC 201C
E-Mail: vmmoorthy@nwosu.edu
Education:
- PhD - Mycorrhizal Interactions, University of Oklahoma
- MS – Botany, University of Mysore, India
- BS - Botany, Zoology and Chemistry, St. Philomena’s College - affiliated to Mysore University, India
Experience:
- 12.5 years teaching experience at St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, India
- 4.5 years of teaching experience at University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
- 23 years of teaching experience at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, Oklahoma
Courses Taught:
- BIOL 3315 Microbiology
- BIOL 4115 Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology
- BIOL 4323 Immunology
- BIOL 4213 Virology
- BIOL 4233 Human Parasitology
- BIOL 4273 Mycology
- BIOL 4470 Independent Study
- BIOL 3352 Genetics Lab
- BIOL 3174 Plant Physiology
- BIOL 4214 Ecology
- BIOL 1124 Botany
- BIOL 4021 Senior Seminar
- BIOL 4001 Junior Seminar
Research/Scholarly Interests:
- Mycorrhizal Fungi-Plant interactions
- Bacteria and Human interactions
Career Highlights:
- Educators Leadership Academy; Outstanding professors Academy Award: 2008-2009
- John Barton Distinguished teaching and Service Award: 2009
- Oklahoma Higher Education Excellence in Teaching Award(NESU): 2010
Family Information:
Spouse: Sudha Moorthy, Director at Tiny steps Montessori Preschool, Alva, Oklahoma
Daughter: Dr. Ganga Moorthy, Pediatrician at Duke Medical Center, Durham NC
Son: Gagan Moorthy, Senior at University of Oklahoma
Hobbies:
- Gardening
- Yoga
- Traveling
Favorite Quote:
“Study without thinking is worthless; thinking without study is dangerous” – Confucius.
Motto I Live By:
“But better to be hurt by the truth than comforted with a Lie” - Khaled Hosseini
Dr. Piper Robida
Assistant Professor of Biology
Phone: (580) 327-8563
Office: Science Building 100-D
E-Mail: parobida@nwosu.edu
Education:
- Ph.D., University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Biomedical Science) 2017
- B.S., Metropolitan State College of Denver (Biology) 2011
Experience:
- 2018-2019 Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology, North Central College
- 2017-2019 Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Allergy and Immunology
- 2012-2017 Teaching Assistant, University of South Carolina, Department of Biological Sciences
Courses Taught:
- Human Anatomy (BIOL 3184)
- Human Physiology (BIOL 3194)
- Cell & Molecular Biology (BIOL 3363)
- Pathophysiology (BIOL 4503)
Research/Scholarly Interests:
- Mast cell biology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Atopic dermatitis
Career Highlights:
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Travel Scholarship (2019)
- Southeastern Regional Lipid Conference, Travel Scholarship (2016)
- SC-INBRE Bioinformatics Pilot Project Grant – Co-PI (2014)
- Rocky Mountain Branch – American Society of Microbiologists, Presentation Award (2012)
Hobbies:
- Cooking
- Homesteading
- Traveling
- Outdoor activities
Dr. Jason Wickham
Professor of Chemistry
Department of Natural Sciences
School of Arts and Sciences
Science Building 100-C
Northwestern-Alva
(580) 327-8560
jrwickham@nwosu.edu
Education:
- Postdoctoral Research Assistant at Washington University in Saint Loius (WUSTL) 2007-2008
- Ph. D of Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Oklahoma (OU) 2007
- B. S. of Chemistry from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) 2002
Courses Taught:
- Chemistry for Non-Majors
- General Chemistry I
- General Chemistry II
- Classical Chemical Analyzes
- Instrumental Chemical Analyzes
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry I
- Physical Chemistry II
- Chemistry Seminar
Research/Scholarly Interests:
- Iodine quantity and distribution in brine waters
- Solid Polymer Electrolyte materials
- Nanomaterials
- Surface modification chemistry
Career Highlights:
- OCAST research and development internship project grant - 2017
- Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Partnership Award - 2017
- OCAST research and development internship project grant - 2014
Hobbies:
- Native American artifact and history
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Baseball
- Restoring cars
University Clubs/Professional Organizations:
- Co-Sponsor of the Chemistry Club
- Member of the American Chemical Society
- Treasure of the Oklahoma Section of the American Chemical Society