Assistant Professor of Biology
Office: Center for the Sciences Room 334
Phone: 608-363-2367
Fax: 608-363-2052
Email: gravisd@beloit.edu

I teach courses in molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology and conduct research in these areas as well.  My primary research interests focus on the molecular mechanisms of cell signaling (signal transduction) and gene expression in cells of the immune system.  I use the tools of molecular genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology to study cell signaling in cancer and how white blood cells are activated to respond to infection and regulate cell growth and cell death.  I am also interested in how cell signaling evolved in the transition from unicellular to multicellular life and the molecular origins of animal complexity.

I have worked with Beloit students on biomedical laboratory research projects such as:

• Molecular responses of B lymphoma cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs
• Immune cell signaling pathways triggered by bacterial molecules and B cell/T cell interactions
• Cellular responses to DNA damage and oxidative cell damage by free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS)
• Interactions between microbes and the host immune response and cloning bacterial pathogenesis genes

Education

• Ph.D., Immunology, University of Iowa
• B.A., Biology/Molecular Biology, Western State College of Colorado

Professional Experience

• Beloit College: Assistant Professor of Biology
• Western State College of Colorado: Thornton Visiting Professor of Biology
• University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center: Post-doctoral Research Fellow 

Courses Taught at Beloit

• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Immunology
• Cancer Biology
• Microbiology
• Human Biology