Dr. Ellen McLaughlin has taught in the Samford University Department of Biology since 1967, longer than anyone else in the department. She has served three times as acting chair of the department, and is best known for her development of the Cornerstone interdisciplinary science course and her ongoing research with ultra-violet radiation effects on snail embryos. She is presently serving as chairman of the Biology Faculty Building Committee for the new Samford Science Center.
Dr. McLaughlin accompanied Jan Term trips in 1996 to Belize and in 1995 to the Amazon rain forest in Peru. During February 1992, she spent three weeks visiting schools, mission stations, and national churches on the islands of Java, Bali, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya, New Guinea. Her next anticipated trip is a conservational and educational safari to Kenya in May 2000.
Bandung Alliance School, Java (grades 1-8);
Klungkung Orphanage, Bali (grades 1-high school);
Jaffray School of Theology, Ujung Pandang (Sulawesi College/graduate);
Sentani International School, Irian Jaya (grades 1-8);
Walter Post Theological School, Abepura (Irian Jaya High school/College);
Bozeman Bible School, Sinatma (Irian Jaya High school).
Ellen was born on Long Island and raised in Roosevelt, New York. Included among her hobbies are wildflower photography, fishing in Maine, moose-watching and bird-watching, as well as folk music. She has an interest in bagpipe, banjo, and classical guitar music and in constructing mountain dulcimers. She's also owned by two cats.
Education
- B.S. State University of New York at Albany (Cum Laude), 1958
- M.A. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1962
- Ph.D. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1967
- Wood's Hole Marine Biological Laboratory; Bermuda Biological Station
Courses Taught
- Principles of Biology, Biol 105
- Embryology Biol 314
- Histology Biol 311
- Discovery and the Scientific Method (Cornerstone Science) CPSC 201, 202
- Professor-in-Residence at Samford London Study Centre (Fall 1988)
Publications and Research
- Principles of Biology Laboratory Manual
- Histology Laboratory Manual
- Effects of ultraviolet radiation on development of freshwater snail eggs. 1989. Amer. Zool. 29:112A.
- Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation and Water Depth on Development of Freshwater Snail Embryos. 1992. Amer. Zool.
- Effects of Near-, Mid-, and Far-U.V. Radiation on Snail Development, 1995
Professional Organizations
- Affiliation of Christian Biologists
- Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (formerly American Society of Zoologists)
- Alabama Academy of Science
- American Malacological Union
Honors and Extracurricular Responsibilities
- Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Advisor
- The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi #140 Chair, Fellowship Committee 1989-97; President 1992-93
- Hypatia Honor Society for Women at Samford University, Advisor
- Advisory and Review Board on the Status of Women at Samford University
- Cornerstone Council, 1996
- Faculty Governance Committee, 1996
Civic, Church, and Community Activities
- Crisis Center Volunteer, Hospital Counselor 1984-1991
- Governing Board, Brewster Road Alliance Church, 1992-1995, 1997
- President, Southern District Alliance Women of Christian and
- Missionary Alliance 1992-1993
- Board of Directors, Family Life Center, 1997
Student Comment:
A former student writes, "Dr. McLaughlin's histology and embryology courses were excellent prep classes for graduate-level courses in these areas."
E-Mail: ewmclaug@samford.edu
Department of Biology
Samford University
S.U. Box 2234
Birmingham, AL 35229-2234
(205) 870-2845
FAX: (205) 726-2479Return to Samford University, Department of Biology
Web page by Linda Fincher Wood - updated 27 January 2000.
