Biology

The Ogden College of Science and Engineering (OCSE) is pleased to announce the recognition of six faculty members in the annual OCSE Faculty Awards.  This year, we recognize superb faculty in the categories of Excellence in Teaching, Excellence in Research and Creative Activity, Excellence in Service, and Excellence in Advising.

Dr. Joe Marquardt from the Department of Biological Sciences is the recipient of the 2025-2026 OCSE Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Marquardt, a graduate of WKU’s Department of Biological Sciences, joined our faculty in Fall 2022. He takes a varied, student-centered approach to teaching, engaging students and strengthening their knowledge and reasoning skills, allowing them to feel comfortable cooperating with peers and faculty members. Students described Dr. Marquardt as an effective educator with a unique teaching style, the ability to inspire others, and a passion for education both inside and outside the classroom.

Dr. Nahid Gani from the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences is the recipient of the 2025-2026 OCSE Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. Dr. Gani joined our faculty in 2012, and her major research focus is on Earth-surface dynamics and landscape evolution, quantifying how erosion, uplift, tectonics, and climate interact across geologic to Anthropocene timescales. Colleagues have described her research as wide-ranging, interesting, and important.

Dr. Diane Lickenbrock from the Department of Psychological Sciences is the recipient of the 2025-2026 OCSE Faculty Award for Excellence in Service. Dr. Lickenbrock joined WKU in the Fall of 2012, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students in the Children and Families Lab, where social and emotional development, beginning in infancy, is examined with families in the Bowling Green community. Dr. Lickenbrock has provided service to the Psychological Sciences department, the University, her field, and our community. 

Dr. Jenni Teeters from the Department of Psychological Sciences is the recipient of the 2025-2026 OCSE Faculty Award for Excellence in Advising. Dr. Teeters joined our faculty in 2017 and started advising students in Fall of 2018. Since then, she has formally advised undergraduate Psychological Sciences majors, served as a mentor to graduate students, served on thesis committees, and mentored students in research labs. Dr. Teeters aims to harness and foster students’ natural excitement for research while supporting mental health and well-being.

Dr. Patrick Ledwidge from the Department of Psychological Sciences is the recipient of the 2025-2026 OCSE Junior Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Ledwidge joined our faculty in 2023 and aims to foster students’ development to help them become confident, independent thinkers, passionate learners, innovators, and effective communicators. His students commented that he teaches with care, patience, warmth, and that he believes in students when they sometimes don’t believe in themselves.

Dr. Jason Stewart from the Department of Biological Sciences is the recipient of the 2025-2026 OCSE Junior Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. Dr. Stewart joined our faculty in Fall 2023, maintaining an active research program, recruiting and mentoring students, and presenting and publishing research findings. The focus of his research is to understand how genomic DNA is protected and maintained to prevent DNA mutations and genomic defects that promote cancer and genetic disease. His research aims to mentor, guide, and train the next generation of biomedical scientists and medical professionals.

About the Ogden College of Science and Engineering:

The Ogden College of Science & Engineering (OCSE) encompasses the basic and applied sciences at WKU, offering a broad range of degree programs through our eight Academic Units (Agriculture & Food Science; Biological Sciences; Chemistry & Biochemistry; Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences; Mathematics; Physics & Astronomy; Psychological Sciences; and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences).  The mission of OCSE is to empower individuals to become leaders through academic achievement, global connections, and engagement in research, education, and service.