Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin
is an award-winning instructor and researcher in the fields of Biology and Biology education. McLaughlin earned a B.A. degree in biology/chemistry from New College of University of South Florida, a M.S. in cell and developmental biology from The Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology from Rutgers University/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley College, where she instructs courses in biodiversity and evolution, human biology, human physiology, and development. Her research has focused on pro-nuclei migration during fertilization, the role of collagen type V in corneal development, and the development of the vertebrate heart. Presently, her research centers around teaching: assessing the effectiveness of integrating Web based instruction into the biology curriculum and the professional development of high school teachers using this technology; immersing students in the study of biodiversity through a blended delivery of disciplinary knowledge and experiential field study, and the professional development of teachers who use an experiential learning paradigm to teach environmental science. In keeping with her endeavors, Dr. McLaughlin has led numerous experiential field courses throughout Pennsylvania, Alaska, Ecuador, Australia, and Costa Rica, and has gained national reputation for her innovative teaching methods. Research by McLaughlin has revealed that problem-centered field experiences enhance the student’s knowledge of biodiversity, increase their basic research skills, and influence how they would make behavioral decisions relative to biodiversity in the future.

Teaching Awards:
- 1998 Teaching Excellence Award, Penn State Lehigh Valley

- 2000 Student Appreciation and Recognition Award, Penn State Lehigh Valley

- 2001 Alumni Award: Outstanding Teacher, Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley College

- 2001 Outstanding Teacher for a Four-Year College or University in the Nation,
National Association of Biology Teachers

- 2002 Teaching and Learning Consortium Hall of Fame, Penn State University,
University Park campus

- 2003 George W. Atherton Award for Teaching Excellence,
Penn State University, University Park campus

Dr. Stam M. Zervanos is an Professor of Biology and has been with the University for over 30 years. He has a baccalaureate degree in biology from Albright College, a master’s degree in zoology from Penn State University and a Ph.D. in biology from Arizona State University. He teaches courses on biodiversity, physiology, evolution and ecology. His research has focused on the adaptational biology of mammals in such diverse habitats as the deserts of Arizona, the tundra of Alaska, the coastal islands of eastern U.S. and the rainforests of South America. He has gained an international reputation for his current studies on the hibernation biology of woodchucks.

Previous Biology 297/497 Expeditions Include

Costa Rica, 2002 ~ From Volcano To Rainforest Australia, 2001 ~ From Coral Reef to Rainforest Alaska, 2000 ~ From Temperate Rainforest to Glaciers Ecuador, 1999 ~ From the Rainforest to the Galapagos