Chair, Department of Natural Science
Associate Professor of Physics

Department of Natural Science
Phone: (580) 327 - 8568
Email: jasattler@nwosu.edu
Office: SC 107-B
Laboratory: SC 108 and SC 110

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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

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Department of Natural Science
Phone: (580) 327 - 8559
Email: amalber@nwosu.edu
Office: SC100A

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Education:

• Ph.D. University of Oklahoma (Organic Chemistry) 2024
• B.S. St. John Fisher University (Chemistry) 2018

Courses Taught:

• Chemistry for Non-majors
• Organic Chemistry I and II
• Biochemistry

Research/Scholarly Interests:

• Synthetic Organic Methodology
• Organometallic Catalysis
• Micorwave-Assisted Synthesis
• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Carbene Chemistry

Career Highlights:

• Published in high impact (ACS Catalysis) journal 
• Outstanding Organic Graduate Teaching Assistantship Award (2021 University of Oklahoma) 
• Roland E. Lehr Fellowship for Teaching Excellence recipient (2023 University of Oklahoma)

Hobbies:

• Video games
• Trading card games
• Watching zombie movies

Assistant Professor of Biology 

Department of Natural Science
Phone: (580) 327 - 8673
Email: nmledbetter@nwosu.edu
Office: SC 201-A

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Education:

• Ph.D. University of Tulsa (Biology) 2021
• B.S. University of Central Arkansas (Biology) 2016

Courses Taught:

• General Zoology 
• Natural History of the Vertebrates 
• Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 
• Herpetology
• Evolution
• Advanced Biological Statistics
• Museum Techniques
• Evolutionary Development

Research/Scholarly Interests:

• Macroevolution 
• Evolutionary Morphology 
• Evolutionary Development 
• Phylogenetics 
• Limb Reduction 
• Herpetology 

Career Highlights:

• Authored Nine 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 

Assistant Professor of Physics

Phone: (580) 327-8566
Office: SC201B 
E-Mail: rnmohottige@nwosu.edu

Education:

• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Rowan and Rutgers University 2018–2021
• Ph.D. in Condensed Matter (Physics) 2018
• MPhil in Condensed Matter (Physics) 2012
• B.S. in Physics, 2006

Courses Taught:

• Classical Mechanics
• Physics I
• General Physical Science
• Earth and Space Science

Research and Scholarly Interests:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Nano Physics and Nanotechnology
• Thin Films
• Solar Cells (CIGS, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells)
• Biomechanics in cricket

Current Research:

• Focused on enhancing the efficiency of CIGS solar cells by exploring environmentally friendly alternatives to CdS
• Analyzing the biomechanics of cricket to improve player performance, enhance training techniques, and reduce injury risk

Selected Publications (Peer-Reviewed Journals):

1. Mohottige, R. N., Farndale, M., Coombs, G. S., Saburhhojayeva, S. (2024). "Numerical Analysis on the Effect of n-Si on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Based Thin-Films for High-Performance Solar Cells by 1D-SCAPS." Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 14(5).
2. Mohottige, R. N., Kalawila Vithanage, S. P. (2021). "Numerical Simulation on New Device Architecture for CIGS Based Thin-Film Solar Cells Using 1D-SCAPS Simulator." Photochemistry & Photobiology A: Chemistry, 407.
3. Pathirana, S., Mohottige, R., Oncel, N., Cakir, D., Siriwardana, D. (2021). "CrSi2 Crystallites on Si (110)." Surface Science, 703.
4. Mohottige, R. N., Banerjee, S., Oncel, N. (2018). "Coulomb Blockade and Negative Differential Resistance at Room Temperature: Self-Assembled Quantum Dots on Silicon(110) Surface." Surface Science, 677.
5. Fatima, I., Oguz, C. I., Cakir, D., Hossain, S., Mohottige, R. N., Gulseren, O., Oncel, N. (2016). "Physical and Electronic Properties of Iridium-Silicide Nanowires on Si (001) Surface." Journal of Applied Physics, 120, 095303.
6. Mohottige, R. N., Oncel, N. (2015). "Iridium-Silicide Nanowires on Si (110) Surface." Surface Science, 641, 237.

Hobbies:

• Playing Cricket
• Traveling
• Outdoor Activities

Professor of Biology

Phone: (580) 327-8565
Fax: (580) 327-8556
Office: SC 201C
E-Mail: vmmoorthy@nwosu.edu

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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

Assistant Professor of Biology

Phone: (580) 327-8563
Office: Science Building 100-D
E-Mail: parobida@nwosu.edu

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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
• Human Physiology
• Cell & Molecular Biology
• Pathophysiology

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

Professor of Chemistry

Department of Natural Sciences
School of Arts and Sciences
Science Building 100-C
Northwestern-Alva
(580) 327-8560
jrwickham@nwosu.edu

Curriculum Vitae

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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