The Department of Biology is located in Brock Hall. The following areas of study are supported by this department.
Department of Biology
Biology Department Chair
Nicholas J. Ruppel
Associate Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Plant Sciences, Indiana University
- B.S., Botany, Miami (OH) University
Phone: (804) 752-7267
Email: NicholasRuppel@rmc.edu
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Biology Department Associate Chair
Benjamin S. Ramage
Associate Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California Berkeley
- B.S., Botany, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Phone: (804) 752-8626
Email: BenjaminRamage@rmc.edu
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Biology Department Faculty
Charles Gowan
Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Fisheries & Wildlife, Colorado State University
- M.S., Fisheries Biology, Michigan State University
- B.S., Forest Biology, SUNY College of EVS and Forestry
Phone: (804) 752-7293
Email: cgowan@rmc.edu
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Elias Taylor-Cornejo
Assistant Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Microbiology, University of California Berkeley
- B.A., Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder
Phone: (804) 752-8701
Email: EliasTaylor-Cornejo@rmc.edu
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Elliot N. Burton
Lecturer
Education
- M.S., Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University
- B.S., Biotechnology, James Madison University
Grace E. Fong
The Stephen H. Watts Professor of Physical Sciences
Education
- Ph.D., Marine Biology, University Of California San Diego
- B.S., Molecular Environmental Biology, University of California Berkeley
Phone: (804) 752-3725
Email: glim@rmc.edu
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James A. Foster
The Paul H. Wornom, M.D. Professor of Biological Sciences
Education
- Ph.D., Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Virginia
- B.S., Biology, Lebanon Valley College
Phone: (804) 752-3783
Email: jfoster@rmc.edu
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Kate Laws
Assistant Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Biochemistry, Johns Hopkins University
- B.S., Biochemistry, Clemson University
Kimberly Cox
Assistant Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Neuroscience, University of Virginia
- M.S., Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin
- B.S., Biology, University of Virginia
Phone: (804) 752-8982
Email: KimberlyCox@rmc.edu
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Leonard (Rip) Ford
Adjunct Faculty
Education
- Ph.D., Geology, UCLA
- M.S., Geology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- B.S., Geology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Phone: (804) 752-7368
Email: ripford@rmc.edu
Melanie R. Gubbels Bupp
Professor, Faculty Representative to the Cabinet
Education
- Ph.D., Biophysics and Genetics, University of Colorado at Denver
- B.S., Biology, Creighton University
Phone: (804) 752-7321
Email: MelanieGubbelsBupp@rmc.edu
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Ray C. Schmidt
Assistant Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University
- M.S., Biology, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
- B.S., Fisheries & Wildlife, South Dakota State University
Phone: (804) 752-7254
Email: RaySchmidt@rmc.edu
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Rebecca Shepherd
Visiting Assistant Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Physiology, University of Virginia
- B.A., Biology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Email: RebeccaShepherd@rmc.edu
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Stephanie S. Coster
Associate Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Environmental Studies, University Of New Hampshire
- M.S., Natural Resources, University Of New Hampshire
- B.S., Biology, Trinity University
Phone: (804) 752-7336
Email: StephanieCoster@rmc.edu
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Traci L. Stevens
Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Moleculer Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis
- B.S., Biology and Chemistry, University of Northern Iowa
Phone: (804) 752-7203
Email: tstevens@rmc.edu
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