Susan Walsh

Susan Walsh, PhD

Faculty - Full-Time
Susan Walsh
Associate Professor of Molecular/Cell Biology
Modes of Inquiry Coordinator
Email
swalsh@soka.edu
Phone
949-480-4076

I am a cell biologist studying the proteins that allow mitochondria (the powerhouses of the cell!) to move around inside a cell. I am also intrigued by the intracellular protein signaling pathways involved in cell starvation and cell death, and my students and I use genetically-engineered fluorescent proteins to observe these transformations firsthand. My research incorporates undergraduates, both inside and outside the classroom, and I challenge students to learn science by doing it. Together, we design and execute novel experiments to better understand how cells work using tissue culture cells, bacteria, yeast, or zebrafish embryos. I have taught Cell Biology, Genetics, Introductory Biology, Neuroscience Seminar, and the Art and Science of Cell Death. In my free time during the summer, I serve as a venue technician at fringe festivals and review “science plays” for their ability to accurately represent the scientific process.

  • PhD, Duke University
  • BS, Cedar Crest College 
  • DNA to Organisms
  • Genes and Evolution
  • Cancer Biology
  • Integrated Biology and Chemistry
  • Project-Based Laboratory: Cell Biology
  • Communicating Science through Theatre
  • Modes of Inquiry

I am a cell biologist who studies the proteins that allow mitochondria (the powerhouses of the cell!) to move around inside a cell. I am also intrigued by the intracellular protein signaling pathways involved in cell starvation and cell death, and my students and I use genetically engineered fluorescent proteins to observe these transformations firsthand. My research incorporates undergraduates, both inside and outside the classroom, and I challenge students to learn science by doing it. Together, we design and execute novel experiments to better understand how cells work using tissue culture cells, bacteria, yeast, or zebrafish embryos. In my free time during the summer, I serve as a venue technician at Fringe Festivals and review ‘science plays’ for their ability to accurately represent the scientific process.

  • Oonk KA*, Bienvenu LB*, Sickler PS*, Martin C*, Nickoloff-Bybel E*, Volk AM*, Weiser DC, and Walsh S. Zebrafish Trak proteins 1a and 2 localize to the mitochondria. microPublication Biology. 2020.
  • Lang I, Virk G, Zheng DC, Young J, MJ Nguyen, Amiri R, Fong M, Arata A, Chadaideh K, Walsh S, Weiser DC. The Evolution of Duplicated Genes of the Cpi-17/Phi-1 (ppp1r14) family of Protein Phosphatase 1 Inhibitors in Teleosts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020. 21: 5709.
  • Walsh S, Becker A*, Sickler PS*, Clarke DG*, and Jimenez E. An undergraduate laboratory manual for analyzing a CRISPR mutant with a predicted role in regeneration. Journal of Human Biology and Health Education. 2017. 1: 008.
  • Cole J*, Ferguson A*, Segarra VA, and Walsh S. Rolling circle mutagenesis of GST-mCherry to understand mutation, gene expression, and regulation. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education. 2017. 18: 1-7.
  • Hollister BM*, Oonk, KA*, Weiser DC, and Walsh S. Characterization of the Three Zebrafish Orthologs of the Mitochondrial GTPase Miro/Rhot. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B. 2016. 191: 126-134.
  • Zephyr Y* and Walsh S. Exploring Genetic Variation in a Caffeine Metabolism Gene. Genetics Society of America Peer-Reviewed Education Portal (GSA PREP) 2015. 2015.001.
  • Segarra V, Pulford S, and Walsh S. Presenting Fake Figures: A Tool to Teach Effective Scientific Figure Design. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 2013. 14: 260-262.

*indicates undergraduate co-authors

  • 2019-present, Associate Professor of Molecular/Cell Biology, Soka University of America
  • 2017-2019, Associate Professor of Biology, Rollins College
  • 2011-2017, Assistant Professor of Biology, Rollins College
  • 2009-2011, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology, Rollins College
  • Cornell Distinguished Faculty Award for outstanding teaching, research, and service, Rollins College, 2019.
  • Hugh F. McKean Award from the senior class for outstanding teaching skills, Rollins College, 2016.
  • Science, Math, and Engineering Education Grant, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society, 2016.
  • Student Government Association Outstanding Faculty Award, Rollins College, 2015.
  • COMPASS Outreach Grant, American Society of Cell Biology, 2014.
  • Barry M. Goldwater Scholar in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, 1998.