MCB Advising Staff
MCB students are not assigned an advisor. You may choose to meet with any one or more of the advisors listed below, but 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, just ask when you make your appointment. Please call (217) 333-6774, use our online scheduler or visit room 101 Burrill Hall to set up an appointment.
Tina M. Knox
Coordinator of Undergraduate Instruction and Advising
tmknox@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since October 2003
Advising Interests
First generation students
Students from small towns
Access and Achievement Students (EOP and PAP)
Transfer student success
Appreciative advising
Career advising and exploration
Pre- health advising
ALLY to all students including LGBTQ and Undocumented
Education
Ed.M. Education Organization and Leadership, University of Illinois, 2008
B.S. Biology, University of Illinois, 1992
Teaching Interests
Microbiology
Research Interests
Acclimation of undergraduates to campus
Resiliency in transfer students
Retention of undergraduates
In my past life: Peptidase activity in Salmonella typhimurium
Hobbies
Exercise, dance, reading, netflix
Timothy Bowers
t-bowers@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since 2000
Advising Interests
First generation students
Career Development
Graduate School
Students from small towns
High school to college transition
Greek Life
Pre- health advising
Education
M.S. Physical Chemistry, University of Illinois, 1993
B.S. 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.
Jennifer Brandyberry
jhbrandy@life.illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since January 2009
LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, 2015 - 2016
Advising Interests
2nd year students
High school to college transition
Transfer students
Career advising
Pre- health advising
Education
M.S. Adult Education, Capella University, 2005
B.S. Microbiology, University of Illinois, 1985
Teaching Interests
Microbiology
Biology
Research Interests
PMN response in urinary tract infections caused by E. coli
Hobbies
Yoga, reading, walking my dog and being with my family
Dr. Chester Brown
cmbrown3@life.illinois.edu
217B Burrill Hall
Advising since 2006
Education
Ph.D. Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, 2007
M.S. Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, 1999
B.S. Bioengineering, University of Illinois, 1991
Advising interests
Career planning: professional degrees in the sciences (MS, PhD)
Underrepresented Students
Appreciative Advising
Teaching Interests
Anatomy and Physiology
Research Interests
Neurophysiology
Developmental neurophysiology
Developmental plasticity
Hobbies
Reading, art, spending time with my family
Aurora Cruz-Torres
tacruz@illinois.edu200 Burrill Hall
Advising since May 2015
Education:
M.S. Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, 2012
B.S. Human Biology, University of Puerto Rico, 2006
Advising Interests:
Underrepresented students
High school to college transition
Graduate school
Intercultural students
Career advising and planning
Research Interests:
Neuroscience
Human Behavior
Electrophysiology
Neural circuits and systems
Hobbies:
Painting, reading, video games, board games, science fiction\horror movies and TV shows
Aaron Godwin
godwin2@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since 2019
Aaron began his undergraduate experience as a pre-med at the University of Central Florida but soon realized this was not the right path for him. He ended up completing his degree in biological sciences, with a focus on marine invasive species. After graduation, he decided to pursue his aspirations of being a professional classical singer. He came to the University of Illinois to study opera and musical theatre, but instead he discovered his lifelong passion for teaching and advising. While at Illinois, Aaron spent four years as an instructor of CMN 101, Intro to Public Speaking, where he worked with LAS students from a variety of disciplines. He is currently finishing his dissertation for a DMA, studying queer elements of Broadway musicals of the 1970s. As a someone who changed his major and career path multiple times, Aaron should be a great resource for students who may be considering changing their own goals.
Education
D.MA. Voice Performance and Literature, University of Illinois, anticipated 2019
M.M. Voice Performance and Literature, University of Illinois, 2016
B.M. Music Performance, University of Central Florida, 2013
B.A. Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, 2010
Research Interests
Queer Theory & Musical Theatre
Interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning
In my past life: Invasive marine bivalves; growth and survival of Mytella charruana
Hobbies
Theatre, Opera, Film, Netflix, Photography, Cooking
Dr. Jack Ikeda
jikeda@illinois.edu164B Burrill Hall
Advising since August 2009
Education
Post-Doctoral Research: UC San Diego Medical Center, Durham VA Medical Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Colorado State University
Ph.D. Microbiology, University of California at Davis, 1990
M.A. Microbiology, University of California at Davis, 1984
B.S. 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
Brad Mehrtens
mehrtens@illinois.edu200 Burrill Hall
Advising since March 2004
LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, 2013 - 2014
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
M.S. Microbiology, University of Illinois, 1993
B.S. 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
Dr. Shawna Naidu
shawna@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since August 2006
Advising Interests
High-Achieving Students
Double Majors
First-Year Students entering with over 30 hours of credit
Advising towards Graduate and Professional School
Intercultural Students
Peer Advising
Assessment of Advising
Education
Ph.D. Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1996
M.S. Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992
A.B. Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, 1989
Teaching Interests
MCB 298 (Honors Lab Discussion Sections)
Introductory Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratories
General Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology
Research Interests
Plant response to global environmental changes (increased ultraviolet-B radiation, elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, ozone pollution, and cold stress)
Increasing academic success of at-risk students
Hobbies
Science Fiction/Fantasy literature and movies, knitting and crochet, cooking
MCB Leaders
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.
Peer Advising Interns
MCB Peer Advising Interns are a small group of accomplished MCB majors who help the MCB Advising unit serve our students.
Additional MCB Advising staff available at specified times or by request
Peer Advising Interns are juniors and seniors majoring in MCB who are trained to help students with course planning. They are available on a walk-in basis in room 135 Burrill during each registration period. Watch our announcements for their posted hours.
A number of additional MCB Instructional Program members may serve as academic advisors during busy periods. These individuals are coordinators in the MCB Instructional Program, so they are well versed in courses and curricula, and we are thrilled to have their help as needed.
Ancillary Advisors:
- Deb Bielser, Prospective Student Advisor
- Melissa Michael, MCB 299 Study Abroad and Prospective Student Advisor
- Alejandra Stenger, Prospective Student Advisor
As always, you are welcome to request a specific advisor or simply schedule an appointment with the first available advisor. All of our appointments can be scheduled by calling 217-333-6774, or stopping by the Advising Office in 101 Burrill Hall.