Dr. Justin Ramsey

Assistant Professor

Phone: (605)642-6193

Email: Justin.Ramsey@BHSU.edu

Dr. Justin Ramsey is an assistant professor of plant biology and curator of the BHSU herbarium. Justin completed his Ph.D. in Botany at the University of Washington (Seattle) and was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada). He served on the biology faculty at the University of Rochester before moving to BHSU in 2014. Justin’s research focuses on ecological adaptation and systematics of North American yarrows (Achillea millefolium aggregate), a polyploid complex that inhabits diverse climatic and soil environments; he also collaborates with Tara Ramsey on studies of polyploidy in ivies and directs conservation-focused projects on forest and grassland habitats. Justin teaches intro and upper-level plant biology courses at BHSU and, outside of work, enjoys dog sports with Hiesey the border collie.

Dr. Tara Ramsey

Research Associate & Adjunct Instructor

Email: Tara.Ramsey@BHSU.edu

Dr. Tara Ramsey is a research associate and adjunct instructor of biology at BHSU. Tara completed her graduate studies in Botany at Miami University of Ohio (MSc) and the University of Washington (Ph.D.). Tara’s research is focused on the invasion biology and taxonomy of ivy (Hedera spp., Araliaceae), an ornamental vine that has become an aggressive weed in coastal North American forests; she also collaborates with Justin Ramsey in studies of ecological adaptation in wild yarrow. Tara coordinates Ramsey Lab educational outreach and conservation-related activities, including K-12 teacher workshops and an inventory of wild and cultivated trees on the BHSU campus. Tara teaches introductory and upper-level plant biology courses at BHSU. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with Siamese cats Clausen and Keck.

Dr. Brian Smith

Professor

Phone: (605)642-6879

Email: Brian.Smith@BHSU.edu

Dr. Brian Smith is a Professor of Biology at BHSU. Dr. Smith earned his MS at Louisiana State University where he studied reptiles and amphibians of the Philippines. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he worked on Central American snakes. Dr. Smith’s current area of research is focused on the conservation biology of reptiles and amphibians including the Black Hills red belly snake and horned lizards of South Dakota. Future research plans are to continue his conservation biology research, expand upon his earlier work on the composition of rattlesnake venom, and address questions related to the immunology of rattlesnakes. In his spare time, Dr. Smith likes to read and is an amateur astronomer. Fun Fact - Dr. Smith can sometimes be found playing guitar live in local establishments.

Dr. John Dixson

Professor

Phone: (605)642-6284

Email: John.Dixson@BHSU.edu

Dr. John Dixson is a Professor of Chemistry in BHSU’s School of Natural Sciences. Dr. Dixson received his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Iowa. He did a post-doctoral fellowship at SUNY Buffalo in Organic Chemistry. Dr. Dixson’s research involves synthesizing and testing small molecules to solve complex biological problems. Most recently he and his student researchers have been making and testing compounds to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microbes such as the malaria pathogen, bacteria like MRSA, and pathogenic fungi. Dr. Dixson says that working with students as they learn to apply their chemistry skills to solve real-world problems is the most fun part of his job. Outside of work, Dr. Dixson enjoys working on his farm in Newell, and fishing.

Dr. Daniel Asunskis

Chair of the School of Natural Sciences

Phone: (605)642-6516

Email: Daniel.Asunskis@BHSU.edu

Dr. Dan Asunskis is the Chair of the School of Natural Sciences, and a BRIN Undergraduate Student Mentor. He completed his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry at Truman State University, which is a small Liberal Arts University in Northern Missouri in 1999. He then completed his Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry at Kansas State University in 2004. Dr. Asunksis started as an Assistant Professor at BHSU in 2010 and was awarded the 2012-2013 Outstanding Teacher Award for the College of Business and Natural Sciences. Later he was given the Student Service Award in 2013 and was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure in August of 2016. His research focus is on nanomaterial synthesis but he has projects using these materials in solar cells, as bio labels for imaging, and testing for their toxicity at the cellular level. His hobbies include reading sci-fi books and playing online video games with his wife and kids.

Dr. Dave Bergmann

Professor

Phone: (605)642-6465

Email: Dave.Bergmann@BHSU.edu

Dr. Dave Bergmann is a Biology Professor at Black Hills State University. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and his Master in Biological Science at The University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Bergmann then went on and completed his Ph.D. in Entomology at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, and received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from The University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Bergmann’s recent research focuses on the microbial diversity of deep underground habitats and caves. Through bioprospecting, Dr. Bergmann actively seeks out microbial isolates that are potential antibiotic producers in deep underground microbial biofilms. Another project focuses on the microbial colonization of fish eggs in hatcheries, and the effects it has on the survival of fish eggs. Dr. Bergmann enjoys sketching and watercolor painting in his free time.

Dr. Katrina Jensen

Associate Professor

Phone: (605)642-6247

Email: Katrina.Jensen@BHSU.edu

Dr. Katrina Jensen is a South Dakota BRIN Faculty Research Mentor. Dr. Jensen received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Black Hills State University and her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Utah. Dr. Jensen completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is now active in promoting Women in Science events and activities at Black Hills State University. Dr. Jensen does research on the development of photoredox catalysts that can be used in organic synthesis. She wants to eventually use these photoredox catalysts developed in CCBR to synthesize organic molecules with biological activity. In Dr. Jensen’s free time, she enjoys running, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with family.

Dr. Amy Asunskis

Instructor

Phone: (605)718-4365

Email: Amy.Asunskis@BHSU.edu