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Scientists and Educators

Intro

The faculty and staff in the Biology Department can be spotted wading in rivers, scouring the streams, and seeking out the next scientific breakthrough. Their passion for biology makes them experts not only on our campus, but around the world. They do all of this in addition to teaching classes, holding office hours, and participating in student-faculty research.

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Department Chair
Professional portrait of Derek Gingerich
Biology Department
Professor
Phillips Hall 352
Department of Biology
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004

Dr. Gingerich is a Professor in the Department of Biology, with areas of expertise including plant molecular genetics and bioinformatics. He teaches both foundation and upper-level courses in the department, including BIOL221 Foundations of Biology I, BIOL305 Molecular and Cell Biology, BIOL324 Genetics Inquiry, and BIOL405 Advanced Cell and Molecular Lab. His research program studies the molecular genetics of plant light responses, the evolution of plant gene families involved in selective protein degradation, and he collaborates with colleagues on a project studying the role of human genetic variants in disease.

Faculty and Staff
Tali Lee
she/her
Biology Department
Professor
Phillips Hall 346
101 Roosevelt Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Fall 2025:
M 10:00-11:30am
Th 2:00-3:00pm
and by appointment

Dr. Lee is a physiological ecologist interested in how plants are responding to our changing environment. She enjoys teaching introductory and plant biology courses.

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Biology Department
Lecturer

I am an adjunct instructor here at UW-Eau Claire and have been teaching Bio 196--Human Nutrition since 2018. I previously taught at UW-Stout in the Nutrition and Food Science Department. I also teach full-time for the Eau Claire Area School District as a Family and Consumer Science Teacher. 

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she/her
Biology Department
Associate Professor
Phillips Science Hall 359
101 Roosevelt Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Snail mail: University Drive, Maintenance/Central Store, Eau Claire, WI 54701-4800

Dr. Jenn Smith is a behavioral ecologist. She integrates evolutionary and ecological perspectives to understand decision-making in social mammals.

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she/her
Biology Department
Grant Administrator - NIH Regenerative Neuroscience Scholars
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Libby Welch Thurston
she/her
Biology Department
Academic Department Assistant, Biology
Phillips Hall 330
101 Roosevelt Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Fall Semester 2025 Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30
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Biology Department

Phillips Science Hall 330
101 Roosevelt Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
United States