淫妻社

Faculty Research

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Robert Steven

Senior Lecturer
Office:听 BO 1100
Phone No:听听419.530.7890
Email:听robert.steven2@utoledo.edu

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Education:

Ph.D. in Molecular and Medical Genetics from听the University of Toronto
B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of听Toronto听

Teaching at the 淫妻社:
Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules,听Cells and Inheritance (BIOL 2170)
Fundamentals of Life Science: Diversity of听Life, Evolution and Physiological Adaptations (BIOL 2150)
Developmental Biology (BIOL 3090)
Cell Biology (BIOL 3030)
Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory (BIOL听6020)
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Teaching Philosophy:
Throughout my own learning experiences as an听undergraduate and graduate student, I found that I was most stimulated and听inspired when there was significant interaction听between the instructor, myself听and the other students. It is therefore my intention to always try to provide a听similarly positive and interactive experience for my own students听whether I am听teaching a small group or a large lecture hall of students. As a former听scientist, I feel a responsibility to communicate exciting scientific听developments and our听knowledge of biology to others. Everyone has an innate听level of curiosity and it is my objective as a teacher to fuel this natural听curiosity by drawing on my own knowledge of听science and the history behind the听experimentation to present topics in as interesting and stimulating manner as听possible. An important focus is the incorporation of active听learning techniques听and technology in the lecture hall. Ultimately it is my goal to engage all of听my students and instill within them a respect for knowledge.
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Research Interests:
My research interests are focused on the听development and function of the nervous system. I have taken a molecular听genetic approach to understanding the mechanisms that听underlie neuronal growth听cone migrations (axon guidance) during nervous system development and the听subsequent communication that occurs at synapses between听neurons听(neurotransmission) using the soil nematode C. elegans as a model organism. A听fundamental comprehension of neurotransmission will help us understand听information storage and processing in the brain and combined with a through听knowledge of axon guidance it may eventually be possible to use drugs to听recreate functional听neural circuits in those who have suffered damage to the听central nervous system.

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Select Publications:
Lin, L., Tran, T., Hu, S., Cramer, T.,听Komuniecki, R. and听Steven, R.听(2012). RHGF-2 is an essential Rho-1听specific RhoGEF that binds to the multi-PDZ domain scaffold听protein MPZ-1 in听Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS ONE 7(2):听e31499.
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Hu, S., Pawson, T. and听Steven, R.听(2011). UNC-73/Trio RhoGEF-2 activity modulates听C. elegans听motility through changes in neurotransmitter signaling听upstream of the GSA-1/G伪s pathway. Genetics 189:137-151.
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Steven, R.,听Zhang, L., Culotti, J. and Pawson, T. (2005). The UNC-73/Trio RhoGEF-2 domain听is required in separate isoforms for the regulation of pharynx pumping and听normal neurotransmission in听C. elegans.听Genes Dev. 19:2016-2029.
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Steven, R.,听Kubiseski, T., Zheng, H., Kulkarni, S., Mancillas, J., Ruiz Morales, A., Hogue,听C., Pawson, T. and Culotti, J. (1998). UNC-73 activates the Rac GTPase and is听required for cell and growth cone migrations in听C. elegans.听Cell 92:785-795

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