James A. Saunders, Ph.D.

Director, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics (MB3)
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Towson University
Towson, MD 21252 USA

Office:  Smith Hall 360

Phone: 410-704-3491

Fax:      410-704-3490

 

email: jsaunders@towson.edu
webpages: MB3 Homepage

                    Biological Sciences @ Towson
 

Courses Taught:

 

    BIOL 409      Molecular Biology                  

    BIOL 481      Directed Reading in Biology

    BIOL 491      Independent Research in Biology

    BIOL 483      Workshop in Biology

    BIOL 703      Independent Studies in Biology

    CHEM 351   Biochemistry I

    CHEM/BIOL 450  Ecological Biochemistry

    CHEM 391   Special Problems in Chemistry

    CHEM 491   Independent Studies in Chemistry

    CHEM 601   Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

    COSC 495   Independent Studies in Computer Sciences

    MBBB 493   Seminar in Bioethics

    MBBB 490   Honors Research in MBBB

 

Education:

 

    Postdoc   University of California, Davis

    Ph.D.        Miami University of Ohio

    B.A.          University of South Florida

 

 

Links to:

Publications and Patents

 

Grants, Awards, Certificates of Accomplishments

 

Published Abstracts and Papers Presented at Professional Meetings

 

 

Research Interests:

 

Plant biochemistry relating to secondary natural products including alkaloids, phenolics, drugs of abuse, smoking and tobacco issues, and the chocolate industry; Molecular biology with emphasis on DNA fingerprinting, gene transfer and gene expression methodology.


 

Scientific Positions and Professional Experience:

  • Director, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry & Bioinformatics, Towson University (2004-present)
     

  • Research Biochemist, Tobacco Lab, Tissue Culture & Molecular Biology Lab, Soybean & Alfalfa Lab, Plant Genetics and Germplasm Lab, Alternative Crops & Systems Lab (GS-11-15), U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (1977-2003)
     

  • President, Native Seeds, Inc., Retail Wildflower Seed sales and consulting.  (1979-2002)
     

  • Postdoctoral Scholar & Research Biochemist, Eric Conn, Dept. of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Univ. of Calif., Davis (1975-1977)
     

  • Graduate Assistant and Teaching Fellowship, Botany Dept., Jerry McClure, Miami Univ., Oxford, OH (1971-1975)
     

  • Junior Investigator, Experimental Marine Biology Program with Frank Loewus, Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA (1974)
     

  • Research Associate, Biology Dept. with Solon Gordon, Argonne National Labs, Argonne, IL (1973)
     

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, fish physiology and plant chemotaxonomy, Univ. of S. Florida, Tampa (1970-1971)
     

  • Greenhouse Manager, Miami University, Oxford, OH (1971)

     

Teaching and Mentoring Activities:

  • Faculty Advisory Board and USA Team Leader, U.S. Biology Olympiad, Fairfax, VA (2002-2008).
     

  • Advisory Board, Frederick Community College Bioprocessing Technology Program (2007- present).
     

  • Advisory Board, Medix School South, Education Affiliates, Biotechnician Program (2007 - present).
     

  • Advisory Board, Community College of Baltimore County, Biotechnology Program (2008 - present).
     

  • Consultant, National Association of Biology Teachers, Vienna, VA.
     

  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Natural Resource Sciences & Landscape Architecture, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (1993-Present).
     

  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Entomology, Member of Graduate Faculty, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (1983-Present).
     

  • Consultant, Science Curriculum Development, District of Columbia Public Schools (2003-2004).
     

  • Co-chair, Executive Business and Higher Education Advisory Board, (2003-2004).
     

  • Chair, Executive Advisory Board and Academy Coordinator, Health and Biosciences Academy, Eleanor Roosevelt High School (2001-2004). 
     

  • Instructor, Discovery Program, Catholic University, (1997-2006).
     

  • Founding Program Mentor, Role Models and Leadership Program for minority youth in Metropolitan Washington, DC, (1991-2003).
     

  • Mentor and Lecturer Montgomery County Resource Bank, (1991-2005).
     

  • Director, USDA/Roosevelt High School Student Internship Program, (1991-2003).
     

  • Consultant, Drugs of Abuse and Anti-Smoking, Science Books and Films, (1994-2002).
     

  • Course Director and Instructor, Montgomery and Prince Georges County Teacher Re-certification Programs, (1986-2002).
     

  • Course Director and Instructor, District of Columbia Institute for Teacher Growth and Development, National Institute of Health, (1997-1999).
     

  • Instructor, USDA Kids in Chemistry Program, (1996-1999).
     

  • Mentor, Alumni Career Development Program, University of Maryland, (1996-1998).
     

  • Course Director, Current Techniques for Plant Biotechnology, Center for Advanced Training in Cell and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of America (1992-1998). 
     

  • Director workshop, Plant Tissue Culture Techniques, Maryland Association of Biology Teachers, Hood College, Frederick, MD (1996). 
     

  • Advisory board member, EEO Advisory Group, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Student Training Programs, (1994-1996).
     

  • Advisory Board Member, Center for Excellence in Education, Vienna, VA (1992-1993).
     

  • Advisory Board Research Science Institute, Research and Development, George Washington University (1990-1991).
     

  • Advisory Council for Business and Industry, Prince Georges County Public Schools (1987-1991).

     

Offices in Professional Societies:

  • Member of Graduate Council, Univ. of Maryland, College Park (1983-Present)
     

  • Advisory Council, Phytochemical Society of North America, (1995-2000)
     

  • Chair Membership Committee, National Capitol Area Tissue Culture Society, (1994-1996)
     

  • Editorial Board Plant Physiology (1983-1995)
     

  • Vice-President, National Capitol Area Tissue Culture Society, (1992-1994)
     

  • President Elect and President, Phytochemical Society of North America, (1991-1994)
     

  • Education Committee and Program Chair, National Capitol Area Branch Tissue Culture Association, (1988-1992)
     

  • Advisory Council, American Type Culture Collection, (1988)
     

  • Secretary, Phytochemical Society of North America, Editor of Newsletter (1980-1985)
     

  • President Elect and President, Washington Section, American Society of Plant Physiologists (1983-1984)
     

  • Secretary/Treasurer, Washington Section, Amer. Society of Plant Physiologists (1982)

 

Courses Taught:

 

Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Plant Natural Products, Taxonomy, Introductory Biology and Botany, Statistics, Chemical Ecology, Plant Tissue Culture, and Plant Biotechnology, Techniques in Plant Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Ecological Biochemistry, Bioethics