Biology Faculty
Department Chairwoman
Kathleen Nolan, Professor
Education
BS, Northeastern University
MA, City College
Ph.D., CUNY Graduate Center
Dr. Nolan taught biology at a variety of New York area colleges before joining St. Francis College, including Yeshiva University, Columbia University, Iona College and LaGuardia Community College. She teaches General Biology, Ecology, Genetics and other topics with research focused on environmental biology and aquatic ecosystems. Her dissertation project concerned the genetics of fish populations. She is also very interested in laboratory education, and is on the board of ABLE (the Association of Biology Laboratory Education), the vice-president of the Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists and the president of the Metro NY Chapter of the Association of Women in Science. She is the current chair of the Biology Department, the moderator of the Pre-Health Sciences Club, and advises students on various career paths.
Allen Burdowski, Professor
Education
BA, Hunter College
Ph.D., New York University
James E. Corrigan, Professor
Education
BS, St. Francis College
MS, Long Island University
Ph.D., New York University
Dr. Corrigan's research work focuses on the field of marine microbiology, with emphasis on ectocrine (extracellular) organic compounds and biotoxins (saxitoxin, gonyautoxin and domoic acid) produced by marine algae (phtyoplankton) and marine bacteria. He has been a mentor on eighteen master's dissertations, which were conducted between the Graduate Biology and Chemistry departments of Long Island University and the laboratory facilities of St. Francis College. He served six years in the U.S. Army (Infantry branch) and received extensive military education and training in chemical, biological and nuclear warfare. Dr. Corrigan also provided his expertise in warfare and terrorism to the New York City Office of Emergency Management. He is the recipient of the St. Francis College Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award and a four time recipient of the Student Government Award as Outstanding Faculty Member. He has received a Mentorship Award from the Hudson River Foundation.
Steven M. Lipson, Professor
Education
BS, MS, Long Island University
Ph.D., New York University
Read the Spotlight
Dr. Steven M. Lipson is the former Chief of Virology and former Assistant Director of Microbiology at the Nassau County Medical Center. He also served as the Director of Virology and Cellular Immunology at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Care System. He, along with fellow St. Francis Professor Dr. Allen Burdowski, has achieved widespread acclaim for research into the curative powers of cranberries and grapes. They have shown that both cranberries and grape juice are effective in combating viral infections.
Irina Ellison, Assistant Professor
Education
BA, Vassar College
Ph.D., New York Medical College
Dr. Ellison currently teaches Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and Forensic Biology. She previously taught Pathology, Epidemiology and Physiology in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences at New York Medical College. She is the co-moderator of the Pre-Health Sciences Club and an active member of both the Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists (MACUB) and the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). Her research focuses on the role of antioxidants in preventing cigarette smoking-related pathologies (such as lung cancer), as well as racial differences in the regulation of antioxidants.