Ryan Elsenpeter, Ph.D., joined the biology department in 2013 after receiving his Ph.D. in cell biology and biophysics from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

His teaching ranges from General Biology I to Genetics, as well as upper-division courses related to genetics and molecular biology. His doctoral work and current research focuses on better understanding the functional role of the cytoplasmic molecular motor complex dynein in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. Undergraduate student researchers from his lab have presented their work at national research conferences.

In addition to research in the laboratory, Elsenpeter has actively participated in course and curriculum assessment with multiple conference presentations in those areas.