Biology Alumni Bulletin Board

Search for people alphabetically:
(A-B)   (M-O)
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1965-1974   1975-1979
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1990-1994   1995-1999

2000-2004

 

2005-2009


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(H-L)

Name
: Carrie Harbach (now, Carrie Schor)
Graduated: 1996
Entry Date:  8/17/07
Email: carriej73@aol.com
Address: 52 Newcomb Tr,  Ridge, NY 11961
Occupation:  middle school science teacher
Biography:  I've been teaching middle school in Brentwood, Long Island since 1997. I was married in 1996, had a daughter in 2000 and a son in 2002. I am a Brownie Girl Scout leader and have been active in many areas in my school. I am also involved in animal rescue, welfare & adoption.

Name: Rebecca Hazen
Graduated: 2001
Entry Date: 11/8/05; 12/18/06
Email: rfhazen@yahoo.com
Address: 7801 Hampson st, Apt A,  New Orleans, LA 70118
Occupation
:  Grad student
Biography: I am working at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX in a lab that studies the effects of biodiversity on the invasibility of non-indigenous plants.  I am planning on attending grad school next fall (I’m not sure where yet- wish me luck!!!).  2nd Entry:  I'm starting a grad/PhD program at Tulane University in January 2007. I'll be joining a lab whose work focuses primarily on tri-trophic interactions among plants, herbivores and parasitoids. I'm very excited about starting grad school and taking up residence in the Big Easy! :)  

Name: Emeline Himes
Graduated: 2008
Entry Dates: 5/18/08; 11/26/08
Email: ehimes22@gmail.com
Address: 429 Dry Bridge Rd., Mexico NY 13114
Biography: Since I graduated from Cortland I spent that first summer in Philly attending PA school.  I did not care for the program and returned home after the first semester.  I am now enrolled at Crouse Hospital School of Nursing.

Name: Debra Hoz (now, Debra DeGaray)
Graduated: 1992
Entry Dates: 3/15/05, 7/31/07
Email: debbiedegaray@yahoo.com
Address: 56 Rose Loop,  Fort Leavenworth,KS 66027
Occupation:  Stay at home Mom; Animal Rescue Volunteer
Biography: After leaving Cortland, I worked as a field biologist for two summers and then returned to Cortland for a Masters in Teaching. I married an Army officer during my Masters Program and moved to Washington State upon graduation. I have since lived in NY, KS and TX. I soon realized that a career and the Army were not compatible. I have had the chance to volunteer at Nature Center and an Animal Shelter, but that is about it. I am currently a single parent of two as my husband has been in Iraq for the last year. I love reading the newletter and catching up on what is going on at Cortland. The only Biology that I get to do now is collecting roly polys off of the driveway and studying the behavioral patterns of preschoolers.  7/31/07 Entry:  Since my last entry we have moved to Fort Leavenworth, KS. I have volunteered and served on the board of the Leavenworth Animal Welfare Society during my stay here. My husband is headed to Iraq again,so the kids and I are relocating to Colorado Springs, CO in December 2007. Hopefully this will be the last Army move. I will update my address when I get there.

Name: Jennifer Huckabee
Graduated: 1995
Entry Date: 8/16/02
Email: jenhuck@hotmail.com
Occupation:  Biology Teacher
Biography
:  I recieved a Masters in Secondary Science Teaching from Cortland in 1996. I taught in Elmira, Alex Bay, and have spent the last 4 years at Central Square teaching high school biology.

Name: Ryan Hutchings
Graduated: 2002
Entry Dates: 11/20/03;  10/9/07
Email: rhutchin@houstonisd.org
Biography2003 Entry: After graduating I ended up staying in CNY to substitute teach for half a year. Then I applied for a job in Houston and low and behold I got it. Now that I am here I am teaching 6th and 8th graders and am planning on starting my masters in the summer.  2007 Entry: I now work with Project GRAD Houston(Graduation Really Acheives Dreams) a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the Houston Independent School District to provide college access to at-risk students.  I serve as a Academic Coach for teachers at five different Elementary campuses (PreK-5).  Working as a Staff Developer has opened my eyes to a new side of Education.  I hope to continue in Educational Leadership.  While at SUNY Cortland I never thought I would consider becoming a building leader such as a Principal, but am now beginning to think maybe this could be my next venture?!?! 

Name: Sheryl Idzik
Graduated: 1999
Entry Date: 1/21/00
Email: Idzik11@AOL.COM
Biography: Environmental Research

Name: Heather Kittell, now Heather Alden
Graduated: 1997
Entry Date: 5/12/07
Email: th3alden@verizon.net
Address: 22 North Park St. Floor 2,  Cambridge, NY 12816
Occupation: Chiropractor
Biography:  Well since leaving Cortland I pursued a career in the health-care field. I continued my studies at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. In May of 2002 I opened Cambridge Chiropractic a private practice in Cambridge, NY. In August 2006, my husband Tim and I became the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy named John.

Name: Gary S. Kleppel
Graduated: 1973
Entry Dates: 12/7/99; 9/6/07
Email: gkleppel@albany.edu
Address: Department of Biological Sciences University at Albany, SUNY 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12222
Biography:


Name: Keith C. Kocis, MD, MS
Graduated: 1983
Entry Date: 7/16/02
Email: KKOCIS@med.unc.edu
Address: Department of Pediatrics, CB 7220
The University of North Carolina 
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7220
Occupation: Physician
Biography: Went to medical school in Syracuse.  Finished that and trained as a pediatrician at Children's National Medical Center, Washington DC. Pursued further subspecialty training as a Pediatric Cardiologist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Also received a Master's Degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analyses in the School of Public Health. Following that I received subspecialty training in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD. I then took my first job as Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Two years ago I arrived at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill as Chief, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. I have been pursing a research career and am presently funded by the NIH for my project "Ultrasound evaluation of Diaphragm function in children". Married, (Dr. Edith (Bernosky) Kocis, MPH, MD with two kids (Kyra and Connor) one dog (Poikilo) and one cat (Clifford).

Name: Angie Kies
Graduated
: 1996
Entry Date: 4/13/07
Email: angiekies@hotmail.com
Occupation: Massage Therapist, Instructor of Massage Therapy, Personal Trainer, and Group Exercise Instructor
Biography: After working for the Forest Service in Pinedale, WY, teaching kids about Marine Biology and conservation at Sea World, and traveling to Vanuatu in the South Pacific as a Peace Corps volunteer, I realized that I love helping people discover health, vitality, and self-awareness. That love is what guided me towards teaching and working as a massage therapist and personal trainer in San Diego, CA.

Name
: Kellie Krieg, (now, Kellie Sischo)
Graduated: 1998
Entry Date: 3/24/05
Email: mattkellie@aol.com
Occupation: 7th Grade Science Teacher
Biography: In 1999 I moved to Tampa, FL, where I currently reside teaching 7th grade Science. I helped open a brand new middle school with almost 1500 students. On December 21, 2002, I married my high school sweetheart, Matt, and on October 10, 2004 our daughter Madeline was born!! We have not seen snow since our wedding and do not miss it one bit. With the palm trees blowing in my front yard, Cortland seems a very distant memory...  

Name: Kevin Kucko
Graduated: 1990
Entry Date: 8/3/06
Email: Kevin.Kucko@LNRMC.HMA-corp.com
Address: Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Mooresville, NC 28117
Occupation:
Director of Rehabilitation
Biography
: Currently I am doing clinical based outcomes reasearch with Diabetic Neuropathy. Our research is measuring clinical outcomes in using an infrared Laser in conjunction with Therapeutic Exercise (land or aquatic based) to treat neuropathy. Neuropathy was once thought to be irreversable nerve damage, but what we are demonstrating is that, with treatment, 5 objective measures have be significantly improved with p-values ranging from <.001-.05 depending on the measure. The mechanism of action appears to be the release of endogenous Nitric Oxide (NO) which (in the cases of neuropathy) fails to be normally released preventing vaso-dilation. Nitric oxide is a strong vaso-dilator much like Nitro Glycerin is a systemic vaso-dilator given to patients experiencing a Heart Attack.
Well, without getting too detailed, I am trying to provide evidence-based research that what is learned in the lab can be effectively provided in a real world-clinic setting. And we are the first group to collect data with aquatic exercise in conjunction with this "laser treatment".
Diabetes affects over 20 million Americans and neuropathy is one of the most prevalent complications contributing to balance problems, slow
wound healing and in many cases limb loss through amputation.

Will Kuhs with camelName: Will Kuhs
Graduated: 2001
Entry Date: 7/5/07
Email: wkuhs@auduboninstitute.org
Address: 7904 St. Charles Ave. Apt B-1,  New Orleans, LA 70118
Occupation:
Hospital Zookeeper/Veterinary Assistant; Audubon Zoo, New Orleans
Biography
: First, I worked for a veterinary radiologist in the Ithaca area doing mostly grunt work for mobile ultrasound exams. I came down to New Orleans in 2002. I started at a research facility associated with the Audubon Zoo doing an unpaid internship for what turned into a year. Worked a security shift at the facility to pay for food. I worked first predominantly with sandhill cranes chicks for release and then, wild cats! Caracals, servals, fishing cats, clouded leopards, African wild cats, rusty spotted cats. I also worked with several stork and antelope species. Next, starting in 2003 I got a series of jobs at Audubon Zoo. First, I was in the Bird Department for a couple of years and had a great time breeding flamingos and hanging with the red kangaroos amongst many other interesting species under my care. Since the summer of 2005, I have been working in the veterinary hospital at the zoo. Yes, I was here during and after Katrina. What a time! Many stories. My present job is great. My primary responsibilities are taking care of animals going through the quarantine procedure as they enter the zoo and the daily husbandry of animals that are staying in the hospital for medical reasons. I take part in many other aspects of the hospital and zoo as well. I still aspire to return to further academics, but this job is too great and too coveted of an experience to leave just yet. I am very fortunate. Thank you to all the excellent professors at Cortland State! I extend an open invitation for anyone associated with the Cortland Biology/Chemistry community to drop a line. I'm happy to speak about my experiences with any interested people. And of course, if anybody is in the area, contact me for behind the scenes views of the zoo. Greetings Earthlings!

Name: Lance Lacey
Graduated: 2004
Entry Date: 4/13/07
Email: lancelacey30@yahoo.com
Occupation: Grad Student/Small Business Owner
Biography
: After graduating I moved to Mt. Dora, FL to teach high school biology and marine science for two years. Moved back in 2006 to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from good 'ole SUNY Cortland. Still working on the masters degree and operating a small service business.

Name: Angie Lauffer
Graduated: 2002
Entry Date: 2/28/03
Email: alauffer7@hotmail.com
Address: Buffalo NY
Occupation:
PA student
Biography
I'm currently in my last year of PA school. I'll be starting my rotations this summer. I'm looking forward to graduating and possibly practicing in either OB/GYN or cardiology.

Name: Jim LaVancha
Graduated: 2000
Entry Date: 6/15/06
Email: jlavancha@twcny.rr.com
Address: Massena, NY
Occupation:
Project Supervisor for Op-Tech Environmental Services

Name
: Ellen M. Lawrence
Graduated: 2001
Entry Date: 1/28/04
Email: EllenMLawrence@yahoo.com
Address: PO Box 470,  DeRuyter, NY 13052
Occupation:
Assistant Scientist I, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Syracuse, NY
Biography
: After graduation, I accepted a Laboratory Technician position at Harvard Medical School in the Van Etten Laboratory. The lab was working with genes associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (more specifically, with genes that result or are deleted due to the formation of the "Philadelphia Chromosome"). I worked there for only 3 months before returning to CNY and accepting a position at Syracuse University as a Laboratory Assistant III in the Breitwieser Laboratory. We worked on the calcium sensing receptor, a G-protein coupled receptor located on the surface of many different types of cells throughout the human body. We were trying to define the metabolic pathway activated when the receptor binds extracellular calcium. In addition, we were trying to better understand the physical mechanism by which the receptor is activated. In June of 2003, I accepted a 6-month contract position as a temporary associate in the Genetic Engineering department of Bristol-Myers Squibb in Syracuse. In that position, I helped to subclone cell lines that were being used for biologic pharmaceutical production. In addition, I helped to genetically charactize certain subcloned cell lines. At the end of my contract I accepted a permanent position with BMS in the Analytical Biochemistry department as an Assistant Scientist I. In this position, I am running different assays to perform in-process testing on lots of biologics that are currently being produced by BMS. I am also doing some molecular biology on the cell lines used for production and helping to implement an assay in Syracuse that has historically been run at the BMS site in Hopewell, NJ.

Name: Trudy Lawson, now Trudy Frenz
Graduated: 1982
Entry Date: 4/25/07
Email: tfrenz@comcast.net
Address: 21 Beauvoir Court, Rockville, MD 20855
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
Biography
:   I lived in Albany and then Syracuse after graduation trying to secure a job in any kind of lab. Ended up in banking, investments, and trust portfolio management. I got married and then quit work after our first child was born. We moved from Syracuse to Salt Lake City to the DC area. I took a job at The Institute for Genomic Research in Rockville in 2005. I may not be a scientist, but I support an amazing group of researchers. TIGR merged with the J Craig Venter Institute, so I now work for JCVI. We have three great kids and a dog, and I can occasionally be of some help to my children as they take biology and chemistry.

Name
: Scott Lenhart
Graduated: 1985
Entry Date: 2/23/07
Email: lenharts@optonline.net
Address: 120 Horseshoe Road,  Millbrook, NY 12545
Occupation:
Physics Teacher
Biography
:  I have taught Physics, AP Physics and Science Research at North Salem High School for 22 years.

Name: Brian Leonard
Graduated: 2003
Entry Dates: 7/16/04, 6/19/07
Email: leonardbrian@hotmail.com
Address: 433 Ruth Lane,  Orlando, FL 32801
Occupation:
Pharmaceutical Business Manager - Bristol-Myers Squibb
Biography
:   After graduating from SUNY Cortland I immediately relocated to sunny Orlando, FL. I worked as a marketing specialist for a large multinational insurance/finance corporation, while obtaining my Master's of Business Administration in Marketing and International Business at the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. I have recently accepted a new position with Bristol-Myers Squibb in their pharmaceutical division.


Name: John (Lanny) Love
Graduated: 1989
Entry Date: 7/2/02
Email: jalove@naz.edu
Address: 5840 Cdga-Farmington Townline Road,  Farmington, NY  14425
Occupation:
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy,  Nazareth College of Rochester
Biography
:  What a great website!!
After Cortland I got married to Laura Hock (Cortland PE Major), and we went to Hahnemann University in downtown Philadelphia, PA and I received a Master's of Science degree in Physical Therapy. I then came back to Canandaigua, NY and practiced in a number of places over the past 10 years including Storng Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester.  Oh yeah, did I mention that we had 3 kids..... they didn't explain the biology behind this too well at Cortland. Brooke, Oliver, and Graham are the best things in the world and we have a great time running, biking, hiking, fishing and camping when we get the chance. For the past three years I have been on faculty at Nazareth College teaching (what tigers do best!). I hope to hear from other Cortland Biology Alumni out there (Bowers Hall Rules!). E-mail or write any time. We do have an excellent PT program and accept transfer students!!!!

Name: Heidi Lowe (now, Heidi Collins)
Graduated: 1990
Entry Date: 12/2/98
Email: hcollins@pathology.rochester.edu
Biography:  After graduation, I worked for several years in toxicology labs, before deciding to further my education. In 1994 I entered the PhD training program in Pathology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. I am currently working on my thesis investigating the regulation of hepatic metabolism of apolipoprotein B (apoB). ApoB is a required component of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. I am hoping to defend in time to graduate in May 1999.

Name: Les M. Lynn
Graduated: 1970
Entry Date: 7/2/02
Email: leslynn@optonline.net
Address: 48H Beacon Hill Road, West Milford, NJ 07480
Occupation:
College Professor
Biography
:  Well, it's been 32 years! I am a biology professor at Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ.  I received my B.S. from Cortland in 1970, M.S., 1972, in zoology from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and my Ph.D. from N.Y.U. in Plant Ecology in 1983.  I still conduct research on the vegetation of the wetlands in the Mohonk Preserve, New Paltz, N.Y. and teach a course called "Intensive Wolf Study" at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN in the winter and summer.  The education I received from Cortland was nothing less than superb, stimulating and inspiring. My biology professors were excellent role models.

Search for people alphabetically:
(A-B)   (M-O)
(C-D)   (P-R)
(E-G)   (S-T)
(H-L)   (U-Z)

Search for people by graduation date:

1965-1974   1975-1979
1980-1984   1985-1989
1990-1994   1995-1999

2000-2004

 

2005-2009