Butler University Experts
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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Alexander Roehrkasse
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology
Fields: Criminology, Sociology
Focus Areas: Crime and punishment, Child welfare, Social inequality
Research/Study: Mass incarceration, Child maltreatment, Violent victimization, Racial and economic inequality
Focus Areas: Crime and punishment, Child welfare, Social inequality
Research/Study: Mass incarceration, Child maltreatment, Violent victimization, Racial and economic inequality
Anne Wilson
Professor of Chemistry
Fields: Chemistry
Focus Areas: food chemistry and nutrition (especially the science of the “good life” – beer, wine, cheese, chocolate, coffee, barbecue, etc.), dyes , sports clinics for persons with varying physical and cognitive challenges, undergraduate research and creative activities, women in science
Research/Study: food chemistry and nutrition (especially the science of the “good life”- beer, wine, cheese, chocolate, coffee, barbecue, etc.), dyes , sports clinics for persons with varying physical and cognitive challenges, undergraduate research and creative activities, women in science, small molecule synthesis, science in microgravity
Focus Areas: food chemistry and nutrition (especially the science of the “good life” – beer, wine, cheese, chocolate, coffee, barbecue, etc.), dyes , sports clinics for persons with varying physical and cognitive challenges, undergraduate research and creative activities, women in science
Research/Study: food chemistry and nutrition (especially the science of the “good life”- beer, wine, cheese, chocolate, coffee, barbecue, etc.), dyes , sports clinics for persons with varying physical and cognitive challenges, undergraduate research and creative activities, women in science, small molecule synthesis, science in microgravity
Bill Blomquist
Instructor and Visiting Professor of Political Science
Fields: Political Science
Focus Areas: Public policy, American politics, water management
Research/Study: Water management and policy in Indiana, Water management and policy in other states (especially the western U.S.), The policymaking process
Focus Areas: Public policy, American politics, water management
Research/Study: Water management and policy in Indiana, Water management and policy in other states (especially the western U.S.), The policymaking process
Brent Hege
Senior Lecturer in Religion
Fields: Religion
Focus Areas: Christianity, Theology, Religion, Church History, Protestantism, Lutheranism, Religion and Culture
Research/Study: Christian Theology, History of Christianity, Theology and Culture, Theology and Science, Religion and Philosophy, Interreligious Dialogue, Ecotheology/Religion and the Environment
Focus Areas: Christianity, Theology, Religion, Church History, Protestantism, Lutheranism, Religion and Culture
Research/Study: Christian Theology, History of Christianity, Theology and Culture, Theology and Science, Religion and Philosophy, Interreligious Dialogue, Ecotheology/Religion and the Environment
Chad Bauman
Professor of Religion
Fields: Religion
Focus Areas: Hindu-Christian Relations, Hinduism, Buddhism, Buddhist-Christian Relations, Global Christianity, Interreligious Violence, Interreligious Relations
Research/Study: Indian Christianity, Hindu-Christian Relations, Buddhist-Christian Relations, Sri Lankan Christianity, Interreligious Conflict, Religion and the Law in Asia
Focus Areas: Hindu-Christian Relations, Hinduism, Buddhism, Buddhist-Christian Relations, Global Christianity, Interreligious Violence, Interreligious Relations
Research/Study: Indian Christianity, Hindu-Christian Relations, Buddhist-Christian Relations, Sri Lankan Christianity, Interreligious Conflict, Religion and the Law in Asia
Christopher Stobart
Associate Professor
Fields: Biology
Focus Areas: Virology, Microbiology
Research/Study: Coronaviruses, RSV, RNA Virus Biology, Microbial Pathogens, Vaccines
Focus Areas: Virology, Microbiology
Research/Study: Coronaviruses, RSV, RNA Virus Biology, Microbial Pathogens, Vaccines
James McGrath
Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature
Fields: Religion
Focus Areas: New Testament, Bible, religion in science fiction, Gnosticism, religion in music, Christian fundamentalism, gender in Christianity
Research/Study: Jesus, Mandaeans, early Christianity, John the Baptist, Doctor Who, Gospel of John, monotheism
Focus Areas: New Testament, Bible, religion in science fiction, Gnosticism, religion in music, Christian fundamentalism, gender in Christianity
Research/Study: Jesus, Mandaeans, early Christianity, John the Baptist, Doctor Who, Gospel of John, monotheism
Jamie Valentine
Assistant Director, Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability
Fields: Environmental Studies
Focus Areas: sustainability, food systems, social justice, community based-projects, systems thinking
Research/Study: incorporating sustainability into curriculum, injustice of food systems, local and global solutions to climate change challenges
Focus Areas: sustainability, food systems, social justice, community based-projects, systems thinking
Research/Study: incorporating sustainability into curriculum, injustice of food systems, local and global solutions to climate change challenges
Jason Lantzer
Assistant Director, University Honors Program
Fields: History, Religion
Focus Areas: Indiana/Midwest/American history
Research/Study: Indiana History, Religious History, Prohibition, World War I, World War II, Disney
Focus Areas: Indiana/Midwest/American history
Research/Study: Indiana History, Religious History, Prohibition, World War I, World War II, Disney
Jay Howard
Dean – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Professor of Sociology
Fields: Sociology
Focus Areas: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Contemporary Christian Music, Sociology of Education (previously served six years as elected member of Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation)
Research/Study: Higher Education
Focus Areas: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Contemporary Christian Music, Sociology of Education (previously served six years as elected member of Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation)
Research/Study: Higher Education
Jeana Jorgensen
Instructor – History and Anthropology/Core Curriculum
Fields: Anthropology, Cultures, Dance
Focus Areas: folklore, fairy tales, gender, sexuality, disability, writing, trauma
Research/Study: traditional and contemporary fairy tales, representations of LGBTQ+ people in folklore and fiction, the history of sex education
Focus Areas: folklore, fairy tales, gender, sexuality, disability, writing, trauma
Research/Study: traditional and contemporary fairy tales, representations of LGBTQ+ people in folklore and fiction, the history of sex education
R. Jeremy Johnson
Whitney Professor of Biochemistry, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Fields: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry
Focus Areas: antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, cancer biology, tuberculosis, science teaching, active learning and science, SARS-CoV2 Spike protein
Research/Study: protein structure and function, bacterial serine hydrolases, palmitoylation and cancer signaling, survival of mycobacteria like tuberculosis under dormant growth conditions, synthesis of novel enzyme substrates, protein engineering and design, redesigning undergraduate science laboratories to be novel research endeavors
Focus Areas: antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, cancer biology, tuberculosis, science teaching, active learning and science, SARS-CoV2 Spike protein
Research/Study: protein structure and function, bacterial serine hydrolases, palmitoylation and cancer signaling, survival of mycobacteria like tuberculosis under dormant growth conditions, synthesis of novel enzyme substrates, protein engineering and design, redesigning undergraduate science laboratories to be novel research endeavors
Stephen Barnard
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology & Criminology
Fields: Media Studies, Sociology
Focus Areas: social media, propaganda and disinformation, journalism, media and politics, social movements and social change, culture and identity
Research/Study: Twitter, Social Media, Journalism, Activism
Focus Areas: social media, propaganda and disinformation, journalism, media and politics, social movements and social change, culture and identity
Research/Study: Twitter, Social Media, Journalism, Activism
Su-Mei Ooi
Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of Academic Affairs for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Faculty Director of Butler in Asia Program
Fields: Political Science
Focus Areas: politics and international relations of the Asia Pacific, human rights, democracy, global education
Research/Study: Chinese politics, Human rights, democracy, Pacific Asian politics and international relations
Focus Areas: politics and international relations of the Asia Pacific, human rights, democracy, global education
Research/Study: Chinese politics, Human rights, democracy, Pacific Asian politics and international relations
Tom Mould
Professor of Anthropology
Fields: Anthropology, Cultures
Focus Areas: American folklore, Native and Indigenous Cultures, Oral Narrative and Legend, Poverty, Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
Research/Study: Native American oral traditions, welfare legends, religious and supernatural narratives
Focus Areas: American folklore, Native and Indigenous Cultures, Oral Narrative and Legend, Poverty, Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
Research/Study: Native American oral traditions, welfare legends, religious and supernatural narratives
Travis Ryan
Professor, Associate Provost
Fields: Biology, Environmental Studies
Focus Areas: wildlife in cities, the ecology of cities, the effect of human activity on natural systems
Research/Study: Ecology, Conservation, Herpetology, Wildlife biology
Focus Areas: wildlife in cities, the ecology of cities, the effect of human activity on natural systems
Research/Study: Ecology, Conservation, Herpetology, Wildlife biology
College of Communication
Amanda Stevenson-Holmes
Instructor of Strategic Communication
Fields: Communication, Marketing, Strategic Communication
Focus Areas: Marketing, Communication, Public Relations, Media Consulting, Communications Strategy
Research/Study: Leadership, Generational, Non-profit, Legal, B2B, B2B2C
Focus Areas: Marketing, Communication, Public Relations, Media Consulting, Communications Strategy
Research/Study: Leadership, Generational, Non-profit, Legal, B2B, B2B2C
Gary Edgerton
Professor of Creative Media and Entertainment
Fields: Communication, Creative Media, Media Studies
Focus Areas: Creative Media, Entertainment, Popular Culture, Contemporary Television, Contemporary Film, Future Media Trends, Global Media Business and Industry
Research/Study: Streaming Wars, Transnational Media Trends, Prestige Television Series, Global Popular Culture
Focus Areas: Creative Media, Entertainment, Popular Culture, Contemporary Television, Contemporary Film, Future Media Trends, Global Media Business and Industry
Research/Study: Streaming Wars, Transnational Media Trends, Prestige Television Series, Global Popular Culture
Lee Farquhar
Associate Professor
Fields: Journalism, Media Studies
Focus Areas: Sports media production, Sports consumption trends, Esports, Sports fan behaviors
Research/Study: Esports, Digital identity, Impacts of social media use, Online community
Focus Areas: Sports media production, Sports consumption trends, Esports, Sports fan behaviors
Research/Study: Esports, Digital identity, Impacts of social media use, Online community
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Amy Peak
Chair – Health Science Department, Program Director – Health Science Program, Program Director – Healthcare & Business Program
Fields: Health Sciences, Pharmacy Practice
Focus Areas: nicotine, cannabis/CBD/THC, vaping, mental health, social determinants of health, community or public health, wellbeing
Research/Study: vaping, nicotine, cannabis, mental health, wellbeing
Focus Areas: nicotine, cannabis/CBD/THC, vaping, mental health, social determinants of health, community or public health, wellbeing
Research/Study: vaping, nicotine, cannabis, mental health, wellbeing
Andrew Schmelz
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Ambulatory Care at Eskenazi Health
Fields: Pharmacy Practice, Sociology
Focus Areas: Pharmacy Practice, Health Equity, Immunizations
Research/Study: health equity, use of race in clinical algorithms, racial disparities in medication use
Focus Areas: Pharmacy Practice, Health Equity, Immunizations
Research/Study: health equity, use of race in clinical algorithms, racial disparities in medication use
John Hertig
Associate Professor, Vice-Chair of Pharmacy Practice
Fields: Health Sciences, Pharmacy Practice
Focus Areas: Patient/Medication Safety, Substandard/Falsified/Counterfeit Medications, Online/Internet Pharmacies, Medication Supply Chain Security, Pharmacy Practice Laws/Regulations/Policy
Research/Study: Medication Errors and Harm Mitigation in Health-Systems, Illegal Online Pharmacies (Consumer Behavior), Illegal Online Pharmacies (Health Professional Education and Training), Illegal Online Pharmacies (Global Patient Safety Threats), Intravenous Medication/Products Safety in Health-Systems (Best Practices and Harm Avoidance)
Focus Areas: Patient/Medication Safety, Substandard/Falsified/Counterfeit Medications, Online/Internet Pharmacies, Medication Supply Chain Security, Pharmacy Practice Laws/Regulations/Policy
Research/Study: Medication Errors and Harm Mitigation in Health-Systems, Illegal Online Pharmacies (Consumer Behavior), Illegal Online Pharmacies (Health Professional Education and Training), Illegal Online Pharmacies (Global Patient Safety Threats), Intravenous Medication/Products Safety in Health-Systems (Best Practices and Harm Avoidance)
Veronica Vernon
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Fields: Pharmacy Practice
Focus Areas: pharmacy, medication use, pharmacy law, women’s health
Research/Study: Pharmacy practice advancement, pharmacy law, women’s health
Focus Areas: pharmacy, medication use, pharmacy law, women’s health
Research/Study: Pharmacy practice advancement, pharmacy law, women’s health
Jordan College of the Arts
Brenda Johnston
Department Chair & Associate Professor, Art Administration
Fields: Arts Administration
Focus Areas: Arts/Not-for-Profit Management, Board Governance, Community Engagement, Artistic Programming, Strategic Planning
Research/Study: Community Engagement
Focus Areas: Arts/Not-for-Profit Management, Board Governance, Community Engagement, Artistic Programming, Strategic Planning
Research/Study: Community Engagement
Courtney Mohler
Associate Professor of Theatre, Associate Dean for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access
Fields: Theatre
Focus Areas: Native American Theatre, Theatre for Social Justice, American Theatre
Research/Study: Native American Theatre & Drama, American Theatre History
Focus Areas: Native American Theatre, Theatre for Social Justice, American Theatre
Research/Study: Native American Theatre & Drama, American Theatre History
David Murray
Director, School of Music
Fields: Music
Focus Areas: Music performance, bass/double bass, music education
Research/Study: orchestral performance, chamber music, solo bass performance
Focus Areas: Music performance, bass/double bass, music education
Research/Study: orchestral performance, chamber music, solo bass performance
Doug Spaniol
Professor of Music
Fields: Music
Focus Areas: Music, Bassoon, Classical Music, Pop Music, Joni Mitchell, International Scholarships (Rhodes/Marshall/Fulbright/etc.)
Research/Study: – Pedagogical Bassoon Music: published five volumes of music for bassoon students, numerous conference presentations on teaching/playing bassoon. International Scholarships: Marshall Scholar and Fulbright Scholar, have served as reviewer and selection committee member for both. Joni Mitchell: Have taught a class on Joni Mitchell. Numerous performances/recordings as classical and as a member of Rock E Bassoon, a rock band comprised of six electric bassoons and a drummer.
Focus Areas: Music, Bassoon, Classical Music, Pop Music, Joni Mitchell, International Scholarships (Rhodes/Marshall/Fulbright/etc.)
Research/Study: – Pedagogical Bassoon Music: published five volumes of music for bassoon students, numerous conference presentations on teaching/playing bassoon. International Scholarships: Marshall Scholar and Fulbright Scholar, have served as reviewer and selection committee member for both. Joni Mitchell: Have taught a class on Joni Mitchell. Numerous performances/recordings as classical and as a member of Rock E Bassoon, a rock band comprised of six electric bassoons and a drummer.
Lisa Brooks
Dean, Jordan College of the Arts, Professor of Violin, Principal Second Violin, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
Fields: Music
Focus Areas: Arts, Music, Violin
Research/Study: Violin and Violin Repertoire, Chamber Music and Chamber Music Repertoire, Orchestra and Orchestral Repertoire, Baroque Performance Practice
Focus Areas: Arts, Music, Violin
Research/Study: Violin and Violin Repertoire, Chamber Music and Chamber Music Repertoire, Orchestra and Orchestral Repertoire, Baroque Performance Practice
Sophie Benn
Assistant Professor of Musicology
Fields: Dance, History, Music
Focus Areas: Music History (19th and 20th centuries), Dance History (19th and 20th centuries), Music – Historical Performance Practices, Early Music Performance, Ballet History, Stringed Instruments – Cello, Orchestral Music
Research/Study: Music – Historical Performance Practices (18th and 19th centuries), Tango Craze of 1913-1914 (in Europe and the United States), Dance Notation and Recording (ca. 1880-1914), French Culture – Intermedial Relations (dance, music, and silent film)
Focus Areas: Music History (19th and 20th centuries), Dance History (19th and 20th centuries), Music – Historical Performance Practices, Early Music Performance, Ballet History, Stringed Instruments – Cello, Orchestral Music
Research/Study: Music – Historical Performance Practices (18th and 19th centuries), Tango Craze of 1913-1914 (in Europe and the United States), Dance Notation and Recording (ca. 1880-1914), French Culture – Intermedial Relations (dance, music, and silent film)
College of Education
Catherine Pangan
Professor of Education, STEM New Educator Academy Director, Faculty-in-Residence
Fields: Education, Innovation
Focus Areas: STEM, Teacher Education (New teachers and student teachers), Gifted/High Ability, Teacher Leadership, STEM Children’s Literature
Research/Study: Integrating STEM and Children’s Literature, Pre-service Teaching and Learning, Science and Social Studies Teaching in K-6 Environments, Connecting Schools to Informal Education Settings (museums and community organizations)
Focus Areas: STEM, Teacher Education (New teachers and student teachers), Gifted/High Ability, Teacher Leadership, STEM Children’s Literature
Research/Study: Integrating STEM and Children’s Literature, Pre-service Teaching and Learning, Science and Social Studies Teaching in K-6 Environments, Connecting Schools to Informal Education Settings (museums and community organizations)
Lisa Farley
Associate Professor of Education
Fields: Education, Health Sciences
Focus Areas: Pickleball, Health Education, Sport Education, Physical Education, Physical Activity, Photovoice Research
Research/Study: Photovoice research on Health, Pickleball as the fastest growing sport in America, What does “Being Healthy” mean
Focus Areas: Pickleball, Health Education, Sport Education, Physical Education, Physical Activity, Photovoice Research
Research/Study: Photovoice research on Health, Pickleball as the fastest growing sport in America, What does “Being Healthy” mean
Andre B. Lacy School of Business
Janaina (Jane) Siegler
Assistant Professor of Operations
Fields: International Business, Operations Management, Risk Management & Insurance
Focus Areas: Supply Chain, Supply Network, Logistics
Research/Study: Supply Chain Resiliency, Buyer and Supplier Relationships, Supply Chain Risk Management, Academia and Industry Collaboration, Supply Chain Analytics, Supply Chain Visibility, Supply Chain Design
Focus Areas: Supply Chain, Supply Network, Logistics
Research/Study: Supply Chain Resiliency, Buyer and Supplier Relationships, Supply Chain Risk Management, Academia and Industry Collaboration, Supply Chain Analytics, Supply Chain Visibility, Supply Chain Design
Mark Donner
Fields: Chemistry, Computer Science & Software Engineering, Entrepreneurship, History, Innovation, Management, Media Studies
Focus Areas: Entrepreneurship, History, Innovation, Social Media, Flight Simulation, Software Development Life Cycle, Product Management, Systems Management, Healthcare IT Systems.
Research/Study: US History World War 1, History of Social Media (Holder of US Patent US7392306) for AOL Instant Messenger, Flight Simulation (various publications).
Focus Areas: Entrepreneurship, History, Innovation, Social Media, Flight Simulation, Software Development Life Cycle, Product Management, Systems Management, Healthcare IT Systems.
Research/Study: US History World War 1, History of Social Media (Holder of US Patent US7392306) for AOL Instant Messenger, Flight Simulation (various publications).
Matthew Caito
Lecturer in Operations Management
Fields: Entrepreneurship, History, Innovation, International Business, Management, Marketing, Operations Management, Strategic Communication
Focus Areas: Supply Chain, Operations, Microsoft Excel, Food Production, Distribution and Transportation, Trucking and Transportation, Food Safety, Dynamics of Family Businesses
Research/Study: Airline Operations, Warehouse Operations, Supply Chain Resilience, Strategic Procurement, Fresh Food Solutions, Consumer Packaged Goods, Food Branding
Focus Areas: Supply Chain, Operations, Microsoft Excel, Food Production, Distribution and Transportation, Trucking and Transportation, Food Safety, Dynamics of Family Businesses
Research/Study: Airline Operations, Warehouse Operations, Supply Chain Resilience, Strategic Procurement, Fresh Food Solutions, Consumer Packaged Goods, Food Branding
William Rieber
Economics Professor
Fields: Economics
Focus Areas: International trade, International finance, Unemployment, Inflation
Research/Study: U.S. trade with Asian countries; Inflation in the U.S.; Unemployment in the U.S.
Focus Areas: International trade, International finance, Unemployment, Inflation
Research/Study: U.S. trade with Asian countries; Inflation in the U.S.; Unemployment in the U.S.