| FACULTY
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Karen E. Jackson
Associate Professor Chair, Department of Biology Education B.A., Jacksonville University Ph.D. in Immunology and Molecular Pathology, University of Florida Areas of Expertise Immunology, Cell Biology, and Molecular Biology |
 Dr. Karen E. Jackson |
| Bio
and Research As I entered my sophomore year of high school, I dreaded only one thing, biology. Fortunately for me Mrs. Miller seated us in reverse alphabetical order and I ended up front and center (my maiden name is Wright). Since my mother worked at the high school, I had no choice but to pay attention. And I've never stopped. I received my B.A. in biology, with minors in chemistry and French from Jacksonville University and my Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Currently I teach the following courses: Introduction to Cellular, Genetic and Molecular Biology, Immunology, Animal Physiology, and Cell Biology. Science is not a passive process; therefore my lectures focus not only on what is known, but what experiments were done to gain the knowledge we have, as well as what we don't know and how we might be able to answer these questions. I expect students to be able to solve problems and draw conclusions, not merely memorize ideas they don't fully understand. This gives students insight into the scientific process and prepares them for when they will form their own hypotheses, design their own experiments, and make new discoveries. My research interests and expertise are in the areas of immunology, genetics and molecular biology. Although my doctoral thesis focused on developmental immunology using a mouse model, I have an active research project in fish population genetics (I'm not quite sure how this happened!). The King Mackerel is an important commercial and recreational fish which migrates from south Florida to South Carolina. Annual fluctuations in the weights of fish caught during the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament suggests there may be two migratory populations. Using molecular biology and genetic markers, I hope to answer this question. My other research project is more closely related to my area of expertise, the immunology of the Florida manatee. The manatee is an endangered aquatic mammal that lives in the rivers and coastal waters of Florida. Due their diverse habitat, their immune systems evolved under different pressures than cetaceans or other marine mammals. With human encroachment on their habitats, the number of severe injuries from boat propellers and fishing lines is of great concern in the protection and recovery of this species. When not on campus, I enjoy crafts, movies, cards (poker, euchre), Gator football and spending time with my husband Rod, daughter Rachel, chow/lab mix Gracie and gray-tiger cat Bandit. |
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BLY208 Introduction to Cellular, Genetic and Molecular Biology BLY308 Immunology BLY309 Animal Physiology BLY402 Cell Biology |
Contact Information Office: Reid 213 Phone: (904) 256-7321 E-mail: kjackso@ju.edu |
