Timothy D. Metz, PhD (click here to view my curriculum vitae)

Research Interests

    My research interests involve plant improvement using biotechnology.  I have used a variety of gene transfer methods to transfer insecticidal genes from bacteria to vegetable Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage).  Prior to my arrival at Campbell, I had been part of a research group involved in looking at insecticide resistance management to insect-resistant transgenic plants.  For more information, click on our group's most recent published article in Nature Biotechnology:
Field tests on managing resistance to BT-engineered plants

   I am interested in all aspects of biotechnology, especially applicationsin plants and in human medicine.  Through several equipment grants from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the Campbell University Biology Department is well able to provide student research opportunities.  Students desiring such an opportunity should contact me, or another member of the biology department faculty.

   Currently, I am working on a project to investigate engineered control of Southern Pine Beetle in conifers.  Students interested in working on this project should contact me for more information.

Pitch tubes are evidence of Southern pine beetle activity	Typical SPB damage seen when outer bark is removed	A live Southern pine beetle (black, ~3mm long)	Students (Keith & Robert) collecting live beetles for a lab experiment

Teaching Interests

    I am very concerned that students develop critical thinking skills and interpersonal skills during their college course work.   I have attended several teaching workshops and short courses that have allowed me to develop classroom exercises which involve small group discussions, short readings, and short written assignments.

    I have worked for several years with Prentice Hall Publishers on one of their primary college biology texts,  Biology:  Life on Earth by Audesirk, Audesirk, and Byers, as a reviewer and author of the Instructor's Resource Manual.  This guide includes many suggested group activities and discussions, as well as ways to lend significance to biological information that often seems to be irrelevant and uninteresting to many students.

    I have served as an invited speaker for Prentice Hall's Bioforum seminar series, which are designed for biology faculty to get together and discuss teaching methodologies.  The title of my presentation is "Teaching Biology to Promote Critical Thinking using an Active Learning, Issues-based Approach".  I have spoken at over 10 Bioforums across the country.  

Last revised:  10/05/2004