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 or use our online scheduler to set up an appointment.

Tina M. Knox (she/her/hers)
Assistant Director for Advising and Recruitment
tmknox@illinois.edu
200 Burrill Hall
Advising since October 2003
2018 IlliAAC Outstanding Advisor
Learn More About Tina
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
Personal fitness, watching dance performances, binging TV shows, studying the Bible, spending time with friends and family.

Timothy Bowers (he/him/his)
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
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.

Dr. Chester Brown (he/him/his)
cmbrown3@illinois.edu
217B Burrill Hall
Advising since 2006
Learn More About Chester
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

Bethany Burger (she/her/hers)
Academic Advisor
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
B.S. 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:
B.S. Biology, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2021
Advising Interests:
Intercultural students
First generation students
Major and career exploration
Undergraduate research
Study abroad
Research Interests:
Microbial ecology
Plant-microbe interactions
Hobbies:
Cooking, dancing, painting, hiking
Dr. Jack Ikeda (he/him/his)
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
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 (he/him/his)
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
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 (she/her/hers)
Senior Coordinator for Instruction - Honors
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
Ph.D., M.S. Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1996, 1992
A.B. 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
Prospective Student Advisors:
back to the top- Deb Bielser, Assistant Director for Curriculum and Instruction
- Melissa Michael, Associate Director for Curriculum and Instruction and Study Abroad Advisor
- Alejandra Stenger, Senior Coordinator for Instruction, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
MCB Leaders
back to the topA 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
back to the topPeer Advising Interns are juniors and seniors majoring in MCB who are trained to help students with course planning and provide other general advice. They are available virtually at miscellaneous times throughout the semester. Watch our announcements page and the MCB ExpressAdvising Queue for specific times.
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 using our online scheduling app.

Jennifer Brandyberry (she/her/hers) - Retired June 2021
jhbrandy@illinois.edu
Advising since January 2009
LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, 2015 - 2016