Brian Butterfield holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Harding University, a master’s in biology from Arkansas State University and a doctorate in zoology from Auburn University. He began teaching at Freed-Hardeman in 1996 and currently conducts research in vertebrate biology, specializing in amphibian and reptile ecology, biogeography and conservation. Within this research, Dr. Butterfield is focusing on turtle community dynamics and invasive gecko behavior—a task he enjoys sharing with students active in the Research Center. He has authored or coauthored over 40 articles, four book chapters and a book on herpetological subjects. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Butterfield is also director of the university’s research center and faculty sponsor of the FHU Bass Anglers, our nationally ranked intercollegiate fishing team.
J. D. Allen is a recent addition to the faculty at Freed-Hardeman University, coming from southeastern Oklahoma. He received his B.S. from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2009 and continued on to complete his Master of Technology Degree with an emphasis on Biotechnology. His graduate research focused on isolating microbial fauna found in the digestive tracts of predators found in the mid-western plains and defining any possible anti-microbial characteristics influenced by diet. He teaches Human Anatomy and Physiology as well as Principles of Biology.
Lee Barton is a recent FHU graduate (class of 2009) with a B.A. in Biology and Secondary Education. Lee is currently teaching freshman level lab courses and working on his Master's in Education degree here at FHU. He also assists with some undergraduate research.
Paul Fader came to teach in the Biology Department at FHU in 1993. He graduated from FHU with a B.S. in Biology and went on to Abilene Christian University to get his Master of Science Degree. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi. His research at Ole Miss focused on iron bacteria and its ability to form biofilms in water wells. He is an environmental microbiologist. His research areas at FHU's Research Center include water quality, water bacteria, wetland plants, and bacteria. He teaches Microbiology, General Biology, and Plant Taxonomy.
Caleb M. Kersey, B.S., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Associates Science Center, Room 120
731-989-6230
ckersey@fhu.edu
Caleb Kersey graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2005 with a B.S. in Biology. He then attended Tennessee State University where he earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. His dissertation focused on the functional genomics of a bacterial plant pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum. He currently teaches Principles of Biology as well as Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Rachel Stevens graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2003 with a B.S. in Biology. She then returned to her home state to complete a Ph.D. in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at The Ohio State University. The focus of her dissertation research was identifying and characterizing stimuli that alter DNA repair. She joined the faculty at Freed-Hardeman in June of 2010 and currently teaches Anatomy and Physiology as well as Principles of Biology.
Dwina Willis graduated from Freed-Hardeman with an associate’s degree in biology and later received her bachelor’s degree from Harding University. Following her undergraduate studies, Mrs. Willis pursued a Master of Science in biology. She is an associate professor of biology and Bible at Freed-Hardeman and teaches freshmen biology classes and three women’s Bible classes. Mrs. Willis says she enjoys discussing the beauty of God’s design in nature and in the human body. As director of the pre-professional health arts program, Mrs. Willis works with FHU’s pre-professional health arts students to prepare them for their journey from high school to professional school.
Natalie Zlatovich, B.S.
Administrative Assistant
Anderson Science Center, Room 113
731-989-6032
nzlatovich@fhu.edu
Natalie Zlatovich graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in the fall of 1996 with her B.S. in Biology. In the spring of 1997, she married Mitch, whom she met while a student at FHU. She has been working as the administrative assistant since the spring of 1998 and considers it a true blessing to be able to work at such a wonderful university.