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Dana K. Merriman, Ph.D.
(formerly Dana K. Vaughan)
Professor of Biology & Microbiology

  

I joined the faculty at UW-Oshkosh in September 1998 as a member of the Department of Biology & Microbiology. 

 

Over the years, I have taught a number of courses for the Department and for the College of Letters & Science, including freshman English Composition (WBIS). 

 

I have also developed three new courses for the campus (Neurobiology, Healthcare Orientation, and Biology of Gender; the latter is cross-listed with Women's Studies) as well as contributing substantial leadership for several new degree programs (the Neuroscience Minor, the Healthcare Emphases in four departments, the Environmental Health major, and the Radiologic Sciences major now in the midst of the approval process). 

 

I play a major role in campuswide academic advising of students interested in healthcare-related careers, including the keynote address at Health & Science Preview Day each fall.

 

My research in ground squirrel visual system has been funded by the State of Wisconsin as well as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation and is conducted in collaboration with scientists at major research institutions across the nation. 

 

My ground squirrel captive breeding colony is a unique national resource.

 

My research assistants (mostly undergraduates) have presented their research at regional and national venues, including the annual meeting of the Chicago Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience and the Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology.

 

A few of my interests

Ground squirrel retina by confocal microscopy

 

 

 

 13-lined ground squirrel     

 

  Stress Physiology; it's no joke