Aaron James Wyman, Ph.D.
Professor of BiologyBio
| Dr. Aaron Wyman was born and raised in a Mid-Michigan farming community, an environment that cultivated his passion for education and the plant sciences. He earned an undergraduate degree at a liberal arts college where faculty and students worked as colleagues. This environment promotes student understanding and command of concepts and applications in their chosen fields. He encourages similar student development by establishing a collaboration of teaching and learning between the students and himself. Dr. Wyman frequently emphasizes student critical thinking and analytical skills and emphasizes that a liberal arts education is essential for students becoming outstanding professionals, citizens, and people. He fuses his diverse teaching and research interests involving chemical, biochemical, and biological concepts into his Introductory Biology, Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Organismal Biology, and Plant Molecular Biology courses. His research interests range from bioremediation and ecology to plant molecular biology and biochemistry to biomedical and microbiological studies. Dr. Wyman has established dynamic research programs involving numerous undergraduate students, including studying the development and function of peroxisomes in eukaryotes and analyzing the effects of small molecules on microbial growth and function. |
Education
- Ph.D.: (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology Dissertation: “Analysis of the Heat Stability, Folding Dynamics, and Structure of the Manganese Stabilizing Protein of Photosystem II”) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 2004
Why SAU
God brought me to SAU to help students identify and codify the pathways He has established for them. I then mentor students today, tomorrow, and beyond in developing the essential tools, skills, aptitudes, and attitudes they require to not only exist but instead compete and lead in building His Kingdom in the contemporary world.
Memberships and Affiliations
Member (2001-Present)
Publications
| 2021 – Present * Anika Eenigenburg: “Characterization of Plant Tissue Extracts for Antimicrobial Properties and Catalyzation of Silver Bioreduction for Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories”. 2020 – Present *Jessie Panchaud: “Characterization of Known and Putative Peroxisomal Inhibitors for Undergraduate Laboratory Experiences” 2020 – 2021 *Katie Krell: “Isolation and Analysis of Antimicrobial Molecules from Kalanchoe delagoensis (Mother of Millions).” 2018 – 2020 *Alyssa Walker: “Characterization of Putative Magnetic-Responsive Factors from Arabidopsis thaliana and Cucumis melo.” Recipient of 2019 MedNeuro Undergraduate Summer Research Program Fellowship, Indiana University School of Medicine – Certified Surgical Technologist (Eskenazi Hospital, Indianapolis); Medical Scribe (Eskenazi Hospital) 2018 – 2019 *April Kriebel: “Analyses of Natural Products on Prokaryotic Biofilm and Pigment Generation.” Ph.D. Student, Department of Bioinformatics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 2018 *April Kriebel: “Applications of R and other Online Statistical Analyses Systems for Analyzing Biological Data Sets in Undergraduate Courses.” Ph.D. Student, Department of Bioinformatics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 2017 – 2020 *Emme Dreysse: “Impact of Salicylate on Prokaryotic Pigment Production.” – Medical Scribe; Clinical Research Assistant, Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan 2017 – 2021 *Meredith Harkema: “Influence of Ginkgo Leaf Extracts on Bacterial Biofilm Formation.” – Clinic Support Specialist (MED-1 Leonard Clinic, Grand Rapids MI) 2017 – 2020 *Maddie Waldie: “Effect of Ginkgo Leaf Extracts on Fungal Growth and Development.” – Recipient of 2018 ASPB International Meeting Travel Grant; Patient Care Technician (Traverse City) 2016 – 2019 *Rachel Forrest: “Translation of Plant Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Studies into Teaching Laboratories.”; “Analyses of Mutated Genes on Physiological and Biochemical Processes in Arabidopsis thaliana” – Recipient of 2018 REU Program in Plant Genomics Fellowship, Michigan State University; Associate Analytical Chemist, Eurofins Scientific Services 2016 – 2019 *Josie (Nieboer) Niewoonder: “Translation of Plant Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Studies into Teaching Laboratories.”, “Impact of Small Molecules on Organismal Physiology and Function.” – Recipient of 2017 UAMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) to Increase Diversity in Research Fellowship, University of Arkansas Medical School; Microbiology QO Technical Associate II, Pfizer 2015 – 2017 *Samantha (Luce) Crosson: “Cellular and Biochemical Analyses of the Effects of Sodium Salicylate on Nosocomial Species.” – P.A., Grand Valley State University 2015 – 2016 *Hannah Schroeder: “Prokaryotic Gene Expression Analysis in the Presence of Various Inhibitors.” – M.S. MCDB, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Senior Report Coordinator, MPI Research/Charles River Laboratories, Kalamazoo MI 2015 – 2017 *Sienna Lopez: “Exploring Genes and Their Products for Novel Impacts on Plant Growth and Development.” – Recipient of 2015 ASPB SURF Fellowship; BSN, Burn Unit, Children’s Hospital of Michigan; BSN, Livonia (MI) Dermatology 2014 *Sarah Gibson: “Impact of Salicylate on Microbial Motility, Flagella Production, and Gene Expression.” 2013-2014 *Salvatore Meleca: “Chemical Characterization of Metabolic Processes in Alcanivorax borkumensis” – D.P.M., New York College of Podiatric Medicine; Chief Podiatry Resident at Mount Sinai Medical Center Miami Beach 2013-2016 *Karen (Chanchavac) Hudson: “Cellular, Genetic, and Molecular Studies of Putative Plant Peroxisomal Proteins.” – Honorable mention 2014 ASPB SURF; Recipient of 2014 ASPB Midwestern Section Travel Grant; Recipient of 2015 REU Program in Plant Genomics Fellowship, Michigan State University; Recipient of 2015 ASPB International Meeting Travel Grant; Product Development Specialist, Uckele Health & Nutrition, Blissfield MI 2013 *Doug Minier: “A Potential Biological Control of the Invasive Shrub Frangula ulnus.” – M.S., Department of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University; PhD. Student in Department of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University 2012-2014 *Alyssa (Castle) Clearwood: “Cellular, Genetic, and Molecular Studies of Plant-Based HINT’s.” – Recipient of 2014 Interdisciplinary REU Program in the Structure and Function of Proteins Fellowship, UM – AA School of Pharmacy; Recipient of 2014 ASPB Midwestern Section Travel Grant – Laboratory Manager (Parkin Lab) University of Michigan Internal Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology – Research Scientist, Sartorius (Ann Arbor MI) |
Recent Research
July 2005-present; in collaboration with Dr. Mary Alice Webb (Department of Botany & Plant Pathology, Purdue University), I and numerous undergraduate research students have investigated the mobilization, transport, and storage of ions, including calcium and the antinutrient oxalate, composing biominerals in plants and animals. This work has also included identifying, isolating, and characterizing genes and their encoded polypeptides potentially involved in the nucleation, growth, and morphology of calcium-based crystals in plants and calcium oxalate stones in insect kidney-like organs. This work has involved use of techniques from genetics, cellular and molecular biology, and biochemistry and has been incorporated into my undergraduate teaching and research labs.
June 2011-present: in collaboration with Dr. Laura Olsen (Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor) and numerous undergraduate researchers, I’ve undertaken research projects analyzing the generation and function of peroxisomes, small, unimembraned organelles present in most eukaryotic cells. Peroxisomes serve diverse roles, including regulating stress responses, photorespiration, plant hormone synthesis and processing, and lipid metabolism. These studies have focused on nuclear genes in plants whose encoded products must be targeted and transported to the organelle by signal sequences and processes that are not fully characterized. This works lends itself to genetic, cellular, molecular, and biochemical approaches that are being translated to undergraduate lecture and lab settings.
June 2013-present; numerous undergraduate research students and I have analyzed the effects of salicylate, a common cellular signaling agent, and other small biomolecules for their effects on bacterial motility, gene expression patterns, metabolism, and biofilm formation. This project has enabled investigation of basic (fundamental) biological phenomenon and biomedical applications. This work has also led to the generation of numerous new teaching laboratories for BIO 352 (Microbiology) and BIO 406 (Molecular Genetics). This project has involved techniques from genetics, cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
September 2018-present; numerous undergraduate research students and I have analyzed the effects of plant-based extracts, including from Ginkgo leaves and mango peels, for their effects on bacterial growth and development, metabolism, and biofilm formation. This project has enabled investigation of basic (fundamental) biological phenomenon and biomedical applications. This work has also led to the generation of numerous new teaching laboratories for BIO 352 (Microbiology) and BIO 406 (Molecular Genetics). This project has involved techniques from genetics, cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
Other Relevant Experience
Oral Presentation (Invited speaker), Spring Arbor University (Spring Arbor, MI), 11 September 2020. Exploring Today’s MCD Biology in Novel Places and Ways
*Poster Presentation, The American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. July 14 – 19, 2018. Influence of Ginkgo Leaf Extracts on Bacterial Biofilm Formation
*Poster Presentation, The American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. July 14 – 19, 2018. Effect of Ginkgo Leaf Extracts on Fungal Growth and Development
*Poster Presentation, The American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting, Honolulu, HI, USA. June 24 – 28, 2017. Utilizing Arabidopsis thaliana to Facilitate Multidisciplinary Studies in Undergraduate Biology Laboratories
*Poster Presentation, The American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting, Austin, TX, USA. July 8 – 12, 2016. Exploring Genes and Their Products for Novel Impacts on Plant Growth and Development
*Poster Presentation, The American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, USA. July 25 – 29, 2015. Characterization of Putative Peroxisomal Proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana
*Oral Presentation (Invited speaker), Spring Arbor University (Spring Arbor, MI), 17 April 2015. Perspectives on Pursuing Excellence: Plant-Based Biomedical Research at SAU
*Oral Presentation (Keynote speaker), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI), 8 August 2014. Bones, Stones, Raphides, and Canines; How SURFing on Membranes Waved a Trail to Biomineralization
*Poster Presentation, The Midwest American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. March 22-23, 2014. Characterization of Putative Peroxisomal Proteins
*Oral Presentation (Invited speaker), Spring Arbor University (Spring Arbor, MI), 12 October 2012. Bones, Raphides, Stones, and Canines: How Biomineralization Impacts your Existence