Jon R Stoltzfus

Jon R Stoltzfus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Michigan State University, where he also serves as Director of the Biological Sciences Program. His pronouns are he/him/his. He holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from Michigan State University (1999), a B.S. in General Agriculture from Purdue University (1993), and an A.A. from Hesston College (1990). Prior appointments include BioSci 161 Curriculum Coordinator (2015-2017) and MSU CREATE for STEM Gateway Teaching Fellow (2014-2016).

Dr. Stoltzfus's research bridges molecular biology and science education, focusing on:

• Developing innovative pedagogical approaches like 3D learning and causal mechanistic reasoning
• Integrating research experiences into undergraduate curricula (e.g., Arabidopsis mutant screens)
• Analyzing protein-ligand interactions and genetic mechanisms in model organisms
• Designing assessment tools for science education effectiveness

His publications emphasize active learning strategies, classroom space design, and interdisciplinary curriculum development.

Awards recognizing his educational contributions include:

• MSU College of Natural Sciences Teaching Prize (2019)
• James D. Hoeschele Endowed Teaching Award (2012)
• Multiple Teacher-Scholar Awards (2009-2010)
• Fellowship at Center for Maize and Wheat Breeding (1993)