Joy Newton

Joy Newton, M.Sc., is a Lecturer in the Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), joining full-time in August 2023. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at WTAMU, with additional graduate work at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Grand Canyon University.

• Teaches introductory biology, zoology, human anatomy, microbiology, and plant/animal sciences
• Former tenure-track faculty and department head at University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension
• Focus on ecology, biodiversity of terrestrial arthropods, and curation of WTAMU arthropod collection

Her expertise extends to STEM education, pesticide safety, and invasive species management. She holds certifications in online instruction (Quality Matters Rubric), teaching with AI, and learning experience design. Newton has co-led the entomology quiz bowl team and contributed to 19 peer-reviewed publications and over 70 research presentations.

Awards include consecutive NISOD Excellence in Teaching Awards (2020, 2023), alongside recognition from the Entomological Society of America, Rocky Mountain Conference of Entomologists, and Texas Wildlife Society. She actively collaborates with USDA grants and serves in professional societies.