Faculty
Karin Gastreich, Ph.D.
Professor; Chair of the School of Natural & Applied Science Phone 816-501-2996 Email karin.gastreich
Gerald Larson, Ph.D., ACSM-CEP, NSCA-CSCS*D
Associate Professor and Program Director of Kinesiology Phone 816-501-3714 Email gerald.larson
Darrin Smith, Ph.D.
Professor; Dean of the College of Science and Health Phone 816-501-3655 Email darrin.smith
Professors Emeriti
Dr. Greg Fitch
Dr. Fitch was awarded the Ph.D. by Kansas State University in 1997 and began teaching at Avila that same year. His research interests include neurobiology and invertebrate behavior. Dr. Fitch regularly teaches the following courses: human anatomy and physiology, animal physiology, an interdisciplinary course on behavior and the brain, and biology research (coordinator).
Research Interests: Neuroscience, especially neuroanatomy of the mammalian brain and invertebrate neurophysiology; Invertebrate behavior; Scholarship of teaching. Awards: Avila Professor of the Year; State of Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching; National Society of Leadership & Success Excellence in Teaching Award. Member of the editorial board of the education journal, Bioscience.
Hobbies: I collect old music, 1954-1970 rock, and roll. I enjoy being active in recreational sports leagues. I love to play games, which for me are becoming increasingly more mental and less physical. I am a below average amateur guitar picker. I have many strong political and philosophical views to which few people pay attention. I spend a lot of time reading & will read nearly anything.
Dr. Robert Powell
Dr. Powell earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 1984. He has been at Avila since 1972. His research interests are focused on the natural history and ecological relationships of amphibians and reptiles in the West Indies. Dr. Powell teaches introductory biology; animal form, function, and development; ecology, evolution, vertebrate anatomy, and interdisciplinary courses on environmental issues (with Dr. David Wissmann) and the natural and cultural history of Hawaii and the Bahamas (with Dr. Wissmann). He coordinates an NSF-funded summer undergraduate research program offered every other year.
Research Interests: Community ecology and natural history of West Indian amphibians and reptiles. Authored and co-authored several publications and books.
Hobbies: I love chasing lizards, photography, and travel, especially to places where I can chase lizards…
News
- Avila Full Circle: Angela Danley Returns to Serve as Director of Clinical and Field-Based ExperiencesAngela Danley, Ph.D., returns to Avila as the new Director of Clinical and Field-Based Experiences, where she earned her Special…
- Amity Bryson, Ph.D. Conducts Avila Choir Students at Prestigious Carnegie HallCarnegie Hall called, and Avila Chair of the School of Performing Arts and Professor of Music Amity Bryson, Ph.D. answered….