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Dr. Kristin Latham-Scott

Dr. Kristin Latham-Scott

Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

503-838-8868 | lathamscottk@wou.edu | BELL 234 | Summer Term: By appointment only

Education

PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2005, Oregon State University.  Dissertation title: Regulation by Male-Specific fruitless of Neural Circuitry Used During Courtship and Copulations Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.

BS, Biology, Research Emphasis, 1998, Pacific Lutheran University. Minors in Chemistry & Music. Magna Cum Laude (GPA above 3.75).

Teaching Focus Areas

Genetics

Molecular Biology

Developmental Biology

Research Focus Areas

Drosophila ethology, Drosophila immune response to pathogens, STEM teaching and pedagogy

Professional Experience

CARE Team, Western Oregon University

SafeZone Trainer and Board Member, WOU

Professor of Biology, WOU

FEM in STEM Co-Chair, WOU

Coordinator, National Institute on Scientific Teaching (NIST)

Moderator, LGBTQ+ in Science Session, Genet Soc. Amer.

Division Chair, Natural Sciences & Mathematics, WOU

Faculty Senate President, WOU

University Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee (UDIAC)

Willamette Promise Course Coordinator, WOU

Biology Department Head, WOU

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Panelist

Associate Professor of Biology, WOU

Faculty Senate Executive Committee, WOU

Faculty Senator, Natural Science & Mathematics, WOU

Invited Speaker, Yamhill County Career & College Expo

Undergraduate Research Mentor, WOU (32 students total)

Invited Speaker, Hillside Retirement Community, Adventures in Learning Seminar

Assistant Professor of Biology, WOU

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Oregon State University

Visiting Assistant Professor, Willamette University

Research Assistant, Oregon State University

2022 – present

2021 – present

2019 – present

2017 – present

2022

2022

2020 – 2023

2019 – 2020

2019 – 2022

2018 – 2020

2016 – 2018

2015

2013 – 2019

2011 – 2013, 2019 – 2021

2011 – 2014

2010

2009 – 2021

2009

2008 – 2013

2007 – 2008

2005 – 2006

2005

Awards and Honors

Keynote Speaker, GSA Day, Celebrate Your True Self 2023
Flora-Funga Podcast Invited Guest, Episode 44 2023
Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching 2020
Summer Online Teaching Institute (SOTI) Fellow 2014
National Science Foundation ADVANCE Fellowship 2012 – 2015
National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellowship 2001 – 2002

Recent Publications/Presentations

Kristin L. Latham-Scott (2021) Stories of Genetics Project. OER Commons. CC BY-NC-SA https://www.oercommons.org/courses/stories-of-genetics-project

Kristin L. Latham-Scott (2020) Human Heredity BI 441-541. OER Commons CC BY-NC-SA https://www.oercommons.org/courses/human-heredity-bi-441-541

Erin Baumgartner & Kristin L. Latham-Scott (2020) Stories of Science Open Education Resource. Twenty stories of diverse scientists plus discussion questions paired with BI 101 and 102 lecture content.

Latham-Scott, KL Quoted Genetics Expert, Alpacas Magazine (2017) “Monsters on the Ranch” Winter, pp.39-40

Sarah M. Boomer, Michael J. Baltzley, Angela A. Poole, Kristin L. Latham-Scott, Jesse P. Poole (2017) “An In-House Biology Placement Test Improves Success in Majors Introductory Biology”. American Biology Teacher, 79(9), 720-727.

Taylor James*, Michael J. Baltzley, Eli Zachary*, Spicie Davis*, Kristin L. Latham (2016) “Directional Preference in Drosophila melanogaster”. PURE Insights, 5, Article 3.

Jerielle Cartales*. (2015) “The Potential Conflict between Forensic Ethnic Identification and Societal Interpretation in America”. PURE Insights, 4, Article 2. Faculty Sponsor: Kristin Latham

Kristin L. Latham, Ying S. Liu, Barbara J. Taylor. (2013) “A small cohort of neurons co-expressing the male-specific Fruitless proteins and Engrailed are necessary for copulatory behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster”. BMC Neuroscience 14:57.

Boomer SM and Latham KL. (2011) “Manipulatives-based laboratory for majors biology – a hands-on approach to understanding respiration and photosynthesis”. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 12(2), 127-134.

Karen J. Tonsfeldt, Cheri P. Goodall, Kristin L. Latham and Patrick E. Chappell. (2011) “Oestrogen Induces Rhythmic Expression of the Kisspeptin-1 Receptor GPR54 in Hypothalamic Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone-Secreting GT1-7 Cells”. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 23, 823–830.

Patrick E. Chappell, Cheri P. Goodall, Karen J. Tonsfeldt, Rachel S. White, Erin Bredeweg, Kristin L. Latham. (2009) “MModulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Secretion by an Endogenous Circadian Clock”.H J Neuroendocrinol. 21(4), 339-345.

Lynn M. Ditch, Troy Shirangi, Jeffrey L. Pitman, Kristin L. Latham, Kim D. Finley, Philip T. Edeen, Barbara J. Taylor, Michael McKeown. (2005) “Drosophila retained/dead ringer is necessary for neuronal pathfinding, female receptivity, and repression of fruitless independent male courtship behaviors”. Development 132, 155-64.