DHC >> Faculty >> Faculty Profiles

Fall 2006 DHC Faculty Profiles

1. Dr. Erwin Baustista- NPB 15
2. Dr. Kent Bradford- PLB 12
3. Dr. Doug Cook- SAS 20
4. Dr. Michael Ennis- PSC 1
5. Dr. Jack Goldberg- BIS 1A/B
6. Dr. Tom Gordon- SAS 30
7. Dr. John Hall- SOC 2
8. Dr. Susan Keen- BIS 1B/C
9. Dr. Tim Lewis- MAT 17A
10 . Dr. Peter Lichtenfels- DRA 20
11. Dr. Henry McHenry- ANT 1
12. Dr. Krishnan Nambiar- CHE 118 A/B/C & Understanding the Research University
13. Dr. Kevin Roddy- MST 20A
14. Dr. Lynn Roller- AHI 1A
15. Dr. Eric Schroeder- AMS 1C
16. Dr. Brenda Schildgen- COM 5
17. Dr. Wendy Terry- RST 40
18. Dr. Jessica Utts- STA 13V
19. Dr. D.R. Wagner- DES 1

 

Dr. Erwin Baustista

Hello! My name is Erwin Bautista. I am a Lecturer in the section of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. I do research in the field of food intake and energy balance regulation. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because this is an excellent opportunity for students to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the subject matter. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to visit during office hours. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Los Angeles, CA

What is your favorite color? Blue

Do you have any pets? A ferocious cat

What is your favorite movie? Bull Durham and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

How many languages do you speak (please name)? English. Attempting Spanish and Italian in the future

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Almost any flavor, except mint.

What is your favorite food to eat? A really good burger

Where is your favorite place to vacation? Anywhere in the Sierras or Cascade Mountains

What is your favorite country to visit? I’d like to visit New Zealand

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? 1 sister

What undergrad college did you attend? UCLA

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? All of my biology, mathematics and history courses were great. My hardest were the chemistry series.

What graduate school(s) did you attend?
UC Davis

Courses you teach (other than DHC): NPB 101 (Systemic Physiology), NPB 10 (Human Physiology), NPB 114 (Gastrointestinal physiology), NPB 101L (Systemic Physiology Lab), NPB 123 (Comparative Organology)

 

Dr. Kent Bradford

Hello! My name is Kent J. Bradford. I am a Professor in the department of Plant Sciences. I do research in the field of seed biology and biotechnology. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I enjoy the direct interaction with the students in the smaller group outside of the usual lecture. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to go to office hours or volunteer for an internship. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Dimmitt, Texas

What is your favorite color? Blue

Do you have any pets? We have a cat that adopted us, and my wife keeps chickens, two frogs and a fish.

What is your favorite movie? A Fish Called Wanda

How many languages do you speak (please name)? Only English.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? All of them.

What is your favorite food to eat? Thai food.

Where is your favorite place to vacation? The beach, particularly Tahiti, Bali or Australia.

What is your favorite country to visit? Australia

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? 3 brothers, 1 sister

What undergrad college did you attend? Michigan State University

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Favorite was probably philosophy, hardest was physical chemistry.

What graduate school(s) did you attend? Michigan State University (MS) and UC Davis (PhD).

Courses you teach (other than DHC): BIT 171: Ethics and Professionalism in Genomics and Biotechnology; PLB 223 Science: Relevation, Discovery or Invention?

Web site: http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/Veghome/Faculty/bradford/bradford.htm

 

Dr. Doug Cook

Hello! My name is Doug Cook. I am a Professor in the department of Plant Pathology. I do research in the fields of Genomics and Plant Disease. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I enjoy the increased interaction that is possible with a small class. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an instructor is to ask questions during class and perhaps to pursue a research internship in the Professor's laboratory. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Stanford, CA

What is your favorite color? Blue

Do you have any pets? Yes, 2 cats and a dog.

What is your favorite movie? Star Wars

How many languages do you speak (please name)? Fluently? Only English. Partially? French.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Baskin Robbins World Class Chocolate

What is your favorite food to eat? No particular favorite, but I like spices and I like a meal that is well presented.

Where is your favorite place to vacation? Europe

What is your favorite country to visit? I've been to all continents but one, and like them all.

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? One of each.

What undergrad college did you attend? Santa Clara University

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Favorite: Molecular Biology. Hardest: biophysical chemistry.

What graduate school(s) did you attend? University of Wisconsin-Madison; Carnegie Institution of Washington at The Johns Hopkins University.

Courses you teach (other than DHC)
: Genetics and Society (SAS020); Genomics (GGG201B); Plant Biology Core Spring quarter.

Web site: http://medicago.ucdavis.edu

 

Dr. Michael Ennis

Hello! My name is Michael Ennis. I am a lecturer in the department of psychology. I do research in the field of neuroscience and endocrinology. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I have long admired Sigmund Freud and the DHC course gives me the opportunity to discuss the ideas of this seminal thinker. The best way to get to know me is to see me in my office at 245 Young Hall. I hope to see you soon!

 

Dr. Jack Goldberg

Hello! My name is Jack M. Goldberg. I am a Faculty in the department of NPB. I no longer do research. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I like interacting with students in a small class setting. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to use office hours to go over your understanding of class material as well as ask questions. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Dixon, Illinois

Do you have any pets? Yes – 2 dogs

What undergrad college did you attend? Washington University & Northern Illinois University

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Biology and History. Chemistry (Hardest)

What graduate school(s) did you attend? Loyola University, Chicago

Courses you teach (other than DHC): NPB101, NPB101L, NPB113, BIS10

 

Dr. Tom Gordon

My name is Tom Gordon. I am a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology. I do research on microorganisms and their interactions with plants. I also teach lower division, upper division and graduate level classes, and on occasion I offer a section for DHC students. I do this because I enjoy working with a small group of students. It provides an opportunity for all of us to get to know each other. Another good way for students to get better acquainted with their instructors is to visit them during office hours. It can also help to sit near the front of the class and ask questions.

Where were you born? In the parking lot at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles

What is your favorite color? Green is good for shirts but I would not paint my house green nor would I drink water of that color.

Do you have any pets? No, but my neighbor’s cats spend a lot of time at my house

What is your favorite movie? One that doesn’t have Tom Hanks in it and was not directed by Fellini

How many languages do you speak (please name)? I can say hello in many languages; other than that I am still working on English

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla, unless it is to be consumed with beer, in which case I recommend butterscotch

What is your favorite food to eat? I favor the Mediterranean prison diet: bread, water and cheese

Where is your favorite place to vacation? I believe that vacation is a state of mind; travel is optional and rather expensive

What is your favorite country to visit? I enjoy New Zealand but Santa Monica is nice too

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? Two females claim to be my sisters; in the absence of genetic evidence I remain dubious

What undergrad college did you attend? LA Valley Community College and Cal State Northridge

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? All science was good, art and literature not so good

What graduate school(s) did you attend? U.C. Davis

Courses you teach (other than DHC): SAS 30, PLP 150, PLP 120, PLP 298

Web site: http://plantpathology.ucdavis.edu/research_labs/gordon/gordon_lab.htm



Dr. John Hall

Hello! My name is John Hall. I am a professor in the department of Sociology. I do research in the field of religion and violence. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course is that it gives at least some students a great chance to interact directly with their professor. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Louisville, Kentucky

What is your favorite color?
Green

Do you have any pets?
Yes, a dog named Pretty Boy Floyd

What is your favorite movie?
The Constant Gardener

How many languages do you speak (please name)?
French; a little Spanish

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate

What is your favorite food to eat?
Venison

Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Scotland

What is your favorite country to visit?
Norway

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)?
1 sister, 1 brother

What undergrad college did you attend?
Yale University

What was your favorite subject in college?
Sociology

What graduate school(s) did you attend?
University of Washington [Seattle]

Courses you teach (other than DHC)
: Sociology 2, Self and Society; Sociology 125, Sociology of Culture; Sociology 146, Sociology of Religion; Sociology 149, Religion in American Society

Web site: http://www.sociology.ucdavis.edu/jrhall/

 

Dr. Susan Keen

Hello! My name is Susan Keen. I am a Lecturer in the Section of Evolution and Ecology. My area of interest is Invertebrate Zoology, specifically jellyfish life cycles, but most of my effort goes into teaching and designing the Introductory Biology series (BIS 1B). I decided to teach a DHC course because it was a nice opportunity to go beyond the lecture material and to introduce students to scientific literature_. It has been fun to see how creative the students are and to show them how to use creativity within a scientific framework. I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to take a class and visit the office hours frequently. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!


Where were you born? Nelson, B.C. Canada

What is your favorite color?
blue

Do you have any pets?
No, but I horseback ride twice a week

How many languages do you speak (please name)?
some Spanish and French

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla

Where is your favorite place to vacation?
it's a big planet!

What is your favorite country to visit?
see above

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)?
2 sisters and a brother, all younger

What undergrad college did you attend?
University of British Columbia

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest?
I liked almost all my biology classes, especially summer field courses, but fluid dynamics was the hardest.

What graduate school(s) did you attend?
University of Michigan, and
UC Davis

Courses you teach (other than DHC):
BIS 1B, seminars on teaching biology (as EVE 198 and EVE 298)

 

Dr. Tim Lewis

My name is Tim Lewis. I am a faculty member in the department of Mathematics. I am also the Chair of the departmental Undergraduate Research Committee. I do research in the field of Mathematical Biology. Specifically, I use mathematics to study the nervous system. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was to give students in MAT 17 further insight into how mathematics can be used to study biological systems. I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to attend office hours as often as possible and be ready to discuss course material and its broader context. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

What undergrad college did you attend? I attended McGill University in Montreal as an undergraduate student. I got a B.Sc. in Physiology and Physics (double major).

What graduate school(s) did you attend?
I did a M.Sc. in Physiology at McGill and then did a Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Utah. After graduate school, I spent several years at New York University doing postdoctoral work in the Center for Neural Science and the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

Web site: http://math.ucdavis.edu/~tlewis

 

Dr. Peter Lichtenfels

Hello! My name is Peter Lichtenfels. I am a Professor in the department of Theatre and Dance. I do research in the field of Shakespeare and Directing. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I love the idea of being engaged with students in a field where both they and I have to adventure together. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to talk to them. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Germany

Do you have any pets?
No

What is your favorite movie?
Farewell My Concubine

How many languages do you speak (please name)? German, bad French

Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Arctic

What is your favorite country to visit? China

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)?
Three

What undergrad college did you attend?
Queens University

What was your favorite subject in college? DRAMA

Courses you teach (other than DHC):
DRA 20, DRA 127A and I am directing Shakespeare's Cymbeline in the fall quarter.

Web site:
http://theatredance.ucdavis.edu/Faculty/FacultyBios.html#Lichtenfels

 

Dr. Henry McHenry

Hello! My name is Henry M. McHenry. I am a Professor in the department of Anthropology. I do research in the field of human evolution. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I teach Anthro 1 and it is a great way to get to know students in that class. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to participate fully in the DHC. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? LA

What is your favorite color? Yellow

Do you have any pets? My beloved border collie died 2 years ago

What undergrad college did you attend? UC Davis!

What was your favorite subject in college? Anthropology

What graduate school(s) did you attend? Harvard

Courses you teach (other than DHC)
: Anthro 1, 151, 152, 156, 202, 252

Web site: http://www.anthro.ucdavis.edu/faculty/mchenry/

 

Dr. Krishnan Nambiar

Hello! My name is Krishnan Nambiar. I am an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Advisor in the department of Chemistry. I do research in the field of Bio-Organic Chemistry. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I want to do what I can to enhance the educational experience of students at UC Davis. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to attend their office hours. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Kerala, India

What is your favorite color? Light Blue

Do you have any pets? Not now; I used to have pets when I was young.

What is your favorite movie? Terms of Endearment; Gandhi, Casablanca.

How many languages do you speak (please name)? English, Hindi & Malayalam.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? No favorites. Love sweet things!

What is your favorite food to eat? No favorites. I prefer vegetables.

Where is your favorite place to vacation? My research lab!

What is your favorite country to visit? None

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? Yes, one brother and four sisters.

What undergrad college did you attend? University of Calicut, Kerala, India

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Favorite was Chemistry. I do not recall any subjects being hard.

What graduate school(s) did you attend? University of New Brunswick, Canada & Harvard University.

Courses you teach (other than DHC): CHE 118 A, B, C, CHE 128 A, B, C; CHE 129 A, B, C; CHE 237, CHE 8 B.

Web site: http://www.chem.ucdavis.edu/people/nambiar.shtml

 

Dr. Kevin Roddy

Hello! My name is Kevin Roddy. I am a lecturer in the department of Medieval Studies. I do research in the field of Early Monasticism in Egypt and Ireland. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because the students can be very interesting and interested. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to go to office hours, or make an appointment. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Courses you teach (other than DHC): Medieval Studies 20A, 20B, 20C, 120A, 120B, 120D, UWP 101, 104A

Where were you born? San Francisco

What is your favorite color? Red

Do you have any pets? No; well, several zucchini

What is your favorite movie? "My Man Godfrey"

How many languages do you speak (please name)? Italian, French, some German

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Praline

What is your favorite food to eat? Home-made ravioli, with seafood sauce

Where is your favorite place to vacation? Santa Cruz

What is your favorite country to visit? England

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? Two brothers, one sister who has died

What undergrad college did you attend? Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Art/Zoology

What graduate school(s) did you attend? University of Iowa; University of Bristol, England; University of California, Davis

Web site: http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/resume.html

 

Dr. Lynn Roller

Hello! My name is Lynn Roller. I am a Professor in the department of Art History. I do research in the field of ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and Art. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I enjoy working with DHC students and I enjoy exploring special topics in my field. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to contribute actively to the class discussion. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Princeton, New Jersey

How many languages do you speak (please name)? German, French, Italian, Turkish, Modern Greek

Where is your favorite place to vacation? Mountains in northern California, southwestern deserts

What is your favorite country to visit? Turkey

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? One sister

What undergrad college did you attend? Bryn Mawr College

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Classical Archaeology (favorite); English (hardest)

What graduate school(s) did you attend? University of Pennsylvania

Courses you teach (other than DHC)
: survey of Ancient Mediterranean Art, upper division courses in Greek and Roman Art

Web site: http://arthistory.ucdavis.edu/people/faculty/index.html#LR

 

Dr. Eric Schroeder

Hello! My name is Eric Schroeder. I am a Director of Summer Abroad and lecturer in the department of University Writing Program and American Studies Program. I do research in the field of Vietnam War. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I've done them in the past. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to see them outside of class. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Los Angeles

What is your favorite color? Blue

Do you have any pets? A dog, a cat, and a horse

What is your favorite movie? Chinatown

How many languages do you speak (please name)? English (I have studied Latin, Greek, medieval welsh; I can speak traveler’s French and Spanish)

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Coconut

What is your favorite food to eat? Too many to count!

Where is your favorite place to vacation? Too many to count! I'm very happy on tropical beaches

What is your favorite country to visit? Australia, South Africa, Italy and Scotland

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? One brother

What undergrad college did you attend? UCLA

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Any course with a good reading list. My hardest was Chem lab.

What graduate school(s) did you attend? University of Sussex (MA) UCLA (PhD)

Courses you teach (other than DHC)
: AMS 1C, AMS 110, ENL 19, ENL 101, ENL 104A, ENL 104C, ENL 139, ENL 117, ENL 149, IST 8B, NAC 198

 

Dr. Brenda Schildgen

Hello! My name is Brenda Deen Schildgen. I am a Professor and director in the department of Comparative Literature. I do research in the field of Medieval Studies. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I like to teach lower-division students. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to have small classes. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!


Where were you born? London, England

Do you have any pets? No

How many languages do you speak? French, Spanish, Italian, English

Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Italy

What is your favorite country to visit? Italy

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? One half-brother

What undergrad college did you attend? University of Wisconsin

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest?
English, History, French, Spanish, Italian. Hardest: Botany

What graduate school(s) did you attend? Indiana University

Courses you teach (other than DHC): Fairy Tales and Fables; COMP. LIT.
1-3; Comp. Lit. 164 (Medieval Literature), Comp. Lit. 6 (Myths and Legends), Grad. Seminar in Comp. Lit., Comp. Lit. 53B (Indian Literature); Comp. Lit. 154 (African Literature); Comp. Lit. 180 (Historical Fiction); English/Bible as Literature; Medieval Studies 130.

 

Dr. Wendy Terry

Hello! My name is Wendy Terry. I am a Lecturer in the department of Religious Studies. I do research in the field of Christian Spirituality. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because the small sections made up of students who wanted to engage in the material more carefully intrigued me. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to talk to them. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Mississippi

What is your favorite color?
Red

Do you have any pets?
Yep, 4 cats (all rescued and lovely)

What is your favorite movie?
The princess bride

How many languages do you speak (please name)?
French

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Butter pecan

What is your favorite food to eat?
Bean burritos

Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Ireland

What is your favorite country to visit
? Ireland

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? 2 brothers, 2 sisters

What undergrad college did you attend? UC Davis

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? My favorites were religious studies and linguistics. The most challenging was Greek.

What graduate school(s) did you attend? UC Davis and graduate Theological union

Courses you teach (other than DHC): various religious studies courses

 

Dr. Jessica Utts

Hello! My name is Jessica Utts. I am a Professor in the Department of Statistics, and Director of the DHC. I do research in the field Statistics Education and in Statistics related to Parapsychology, the study of psychic phenomena. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I love the program and the students in it! I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to stop by (preferably during office hours or by making an appointment) and talk about whatever common interests you discover you have. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!

Where were you born? Niagara Falls, NY

What is your favorite color? Purple

Do you have any pets? Two dogs, Carl and Tara, both of whom showed up and we couldn't find their owners! Carl is a Rotweiller (named after the "Good Dog Carl" books) and Tara is a black lab mix.

What is your favorite movie? I have two - Foul Play (an old comedy with Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase) and Enlightment Guaranteed (a low budget German movie, filmed in Germany and Japan, that no one has heard of!)

How many languages do you speak (please name)? I wish I could speak more. I am working on Swedish, and I used to be able to speak French.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Black raspberry, which is hard to find!

What is your favorite food to eat? Papaya and blueberries (not together)

Where is your favorite place to vacation? Scotland and closer to home, Sea Ranch (on the coast near the Sonoma/Mendocino county line)

What is your favorite country to visit? United Kingdom; I also like New Zealand and Japan

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? Living, one brother and 2 sisters; deceased, one sister

What undergrad college did you attend? State University of New York at Binghamton, now called Binghamton University (but still a State University of New York campus)

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Favorite subject was Psychology. I had a double major in Math and Psychology, the combination of which led me to go to graduate school in Statistics. Hardest was English Literature. I could never figure out how to write papers that satisfied the professors!

What graduate school(s) did you attend? Penn State

Courses you teach (other than DHC): It differs each year, but Statistics 10, 13, 13V and 390 are most typical; I also teach in the Integrated Studies Program, a course called "Testing Psychic Claims: From Séances to Statistics"

Web site: http://anson.ucdavis.edu/~utts

 

Dr. D.R. Wagner

Hello! My name is D.R. Wagner. I am a lecturer in the department of Environmental Design. I do research in the field of light-reactive materials. The reason I decided to teach a DHC course was because I've always wanted to work with a smaller group in this class which is usually over 200 students. In addition, I believe that the best way to get to know an Instructor is to interact on a personal level. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you in my office!


Where were you borm? Niagara Falls, NY

What is your favorite color? Depends on the time of year -but usually blue or blue-greens

Do you have any pets? A dog and a cat. I used to have a lot of birds but no longer. They died in an epidemic.

What is your favorite movie? I like Terrry Gilliams films and also love Buckaroo Banzi and Blade Runner

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Black Walnut

What is your favorite food to eat? saba shio-yaki (mackerel)

Where is your favorite place to vacation? I have not had a vacation in almost twenty years.

What is your favorite country to visit? I love Spain - Catalan

Do you have any siblings, how many (brothers/sisters)? 3 sisters - 2 brothers

What undergrad college did you attend? Saint Mary's, Moraga

What was your favorite subject in college, what was your hardest? Humanities (Favorite) and Hardest....any math class.

What graduate school(s) did you attend? John F. Kennedy University - MFA in Fibers-Mixed Media art

Courses you teach (other than DHC): des 40 a - Des 40B - Design 14 design drawing - Design 15, media studio, Desing 1, intro to design and visual culture - I've also taught graduate seminars and various textile courses.

Web site: http://www.drwagnernet.com/ also http://www.treefullofowls.com (that's my band site. I make music professionally.)