Because undergraduates in the School of MCB are not assigned an advisor, you may choose to meet with any one or more of the advisors listed below. We encourage you to find someone that you connect with and meet with them consistently throughout your time at Illinois. If you would like for us to assign you an advisor, please make that request when you schedule your appointment. Please use our online scheduler or call 217-333-6774.
tebowers@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since 2000
Learn more about Tim
Advising Interests
First generation students
Career Development
Graduate School
Students from small towns
High school to college transition
Greek Life
Pre-health advising
Education
MS, Physical Chemistry, University of Illinois, 1993
BS, Chemistry (ACS certified), Butler University, 1990
Research Interests
Magnetic resonance studies, MRI contrast agents
Hobbies
Growing orchids, gardening, reading, and spending time with my family.
bburger3@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since June 2022
Learn more about Bethany
Advising Interests
Undergraduate Research
Double Majors, Minors, Certificates
Study Abroad
Education
BS, Psychology, University of Illinois, 2020
Minors in MCB and Leadership Studies
Certificate in Neuroscience from School of MCB
Research Interests
Healthy Brain Aging
Trauma's Effects on Brain Development and Processing
Hobbies
Traveling, baking, reading, watching Big Ten athletics
liliag2@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since August 2021
Learn more about Lilia
Education:
BS, Biology, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2021
Advising Interests:
Multicultural students
First generation students
Major exploration
Undergraduate research
Study abroad
Research Interests:
Microbial ecology
Plant-microbe interactions
Hobbies:
Painting, crocheting, reading, dancing, hiking and camping
200 Burrill Hall (enter through room 101 Burrill Hall)
jmf8@illinois.edu
217-300-0585
Advising since 2024
Learn more about Joe
Advising Interests
First-generation, low-income, and under-represented students
LGBTQIA+ Ally
Students struggling with health/disability
Career development
Pre-health advising
Undergraduate research
Graduate & Professional School preparation
Education
PhD, Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 2022
BS, Psychology (Neuroscience), Yale University, 2012
Research Interests
Central Nervous System Injury & Disease
Traumatic Brain Injury
Oxidative stress
Hobbies
Gardening, Cooking, Woodworking, video games, anything Sci-fi/Fantasy, spending time with fiancé and dogs, music, travel, and outdoor adventures!
jikeda@illinois.edu
484B Burrill Hall
Advising since August 2009
Learn More About Jack
Education
Post-Doctoral Research: UC San Diego Medical Center, Durham VA Medical Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Colorado State University
PhD, Microbiology, University of California at Davis, 1990
MA, Microbiology, University of California at Davis, 1984
BS, Biology, Santa Clara University, 1980
Advising Interests
Pre-Health
Graduate school
Undergraduate research, senior thesis and Distinction
Teaching Interests
Microbiology
Molecular Genetics
Research Interests
Microbial pathogenesis
Hobbies
Boardgames, movies, photography, origami and the Beatles
dpl@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since October 2022
Learn more about Dara
Advising Interests
First-generation and under-resourced students
Career exploration, advising, and development
Transfer students
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Pre-health advising
Appreciative advising
Coaching as advising
Education
MS, Community Development, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
BS, Speech Communication, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Certificate in Public Management, Laramie County Community College
Certificate in Academic and Professional Coaching, LifeBound
Research Interests
First-generation student success, retention, and persistence
Academic advising outcomes and assessment
Transfer student success, retention, and persistence
Probationary student success, retention, and persistence
Hobbies
Baking, cooking, reading, movies/TV series (action, adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, comedy), anthropology, dancing, and music
mehrtens@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since March 2004
LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, 2013 - 2014
Learn More About Brad
Advising Interests
Making the transition to Illinois for freshmen or transfer students
Preparing for professional or graduate programs
Understanding the undergraduate research experience
Acknowledging and addressing academic or personal issues
Appreciative advising
Education
MS, Microbiology, University of Illinois, 1993
BS, Biology, Truman State University, 1991
Teaching Interests
MCB 150, Molecular & Cellular Basis for Life
Research Interests
Educational Pedagogy
Course Design
Assessment
Hobbies
Acting, theater, movies, music and sports
2024 Most Valuable Undergraduate Instructional Staff Award
shawna@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since August 2006
Learn More About Shawna
Advising Interests
High-Achieving Students
Double Majors
Advising towards Graduate and Professional School
Intercultural Students
Peer Advising
LGBTQIA+ Ally
Education
PhD, MS Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1996, 1992
AB, Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, 1989
Teaching Interests
MCB 298 (Honors Lab Discussion Sections)
In my past life: General Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology
Research Interests
Assessment of Advising
Increasing academic success of at-risk students
In my past life: Plant response to global environmental changes
Hobbies
Crochet, crafting, Science Fiction/Fantasy literature and movies
417 Roger Adams Laboratory
hantak@illinois.edu
217-244-6601
Advising since 2023
Advising Interests
Undergraduate Research
Preparing For Professional & Graduate Programs
First-generation Students
Underrepresented Students
Education
PhD, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois
MS, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois
MS, Molecular, Cellular, and Systemic Physiology, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
BS, Animal Sciences, University of Illinois
Hobbies
Reading, knitting, cooking, and spending time with family.
Melissa Michael, Associate Director for Curriculum and Instruction and Study Abroad Advisor
Alejandra Stenger, Assistant Director for Curriculum & Instruction + DEI, MCB Merit Program Director
* Para obtener información en español, comuníquese con Alejandra Stenger. Teléfono: (217) 244-7241
Melissa Reedy, Coordinator for Instruction
A small group of accomplished students in MCB that want to help current and prospective students learn more about the University of Illinois, the College of LAS and the Molecular and Cellular Biology major.
The School of MCB offers incoming first-year students in biology the opportunity to be matched with a third or fourth-year student in MCB who will offer guidance on acclimating to university life. Our peer mentors are successful MCB Leaders, MCB Peer Advising interns and MCB Honors students who are prepared to talk with you about courses, career goals, research, campus activities/organizations, and general questions about navigating the campus.