Eberhard O. Voit, Ph.D.
Professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Systems Biology
The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30332
Eberhard O. Voit studied biology and mathematics at Cologne University, Germany, where he received Master’s degrees in biology and mathematics, and a Ph.D. in developmental and theoretical biology. He held research and faculty positions at the University of Michigan, the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and at a forest research center in Tasmania, Australia. In 2004, Voit moved to the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech, where he is a Professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and holds the David D. Flanagan Chair in Biological Systems. Voit’s research interests are in the area of complex biomedical systems, and he has been involved with the development and application of Biochemical Systems Theory (BST) for over thirty years. Work in his lab presently focuses on genomic, metabolic, and signaling systems with applications reaching from microbial and plant systems to human diseases. Voit has authored or co-authored about two-hundred eighty scientific articles and book chapters as well as several books, two of which have been translated into Chinese. His 2012 book, A First Course in Systems Biology, is an introductory text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students that is used as required or recommended text for over 70 courses around the world and is currently being translated into Korean. A new book on systems biology, currently in press and entitled The Inner Workings of Life: Vignettes in Systems Biology, addresses the educated lay population. Voit regularly receives invitations to speak at international conferences and has presented uncounted seminars and workshops on biological systems throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia. Voit is an elected fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Sanjukta Hota, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee 37208
Dr. Sanjukta Hota is an Associate Professor of Mathematics in Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee. She received her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, in 1998 and joined Fisk University in 1999. She directs a Biomathematics and Bioinformatics program in Fisk University with the funding from HBCU-UP Targeted Infusion Project (2013-2016). Dr. Hota is an applied mathematician with research interest in mathematical modeling of biological systems. Her research work covers areas of respiratory dynamics, mechanical ventilation, application of Monte Carlo Analysis, disease modeling and the application of optimal control. She has authored a number of peer-reviewed journal publications. At Fisk-a predominantly undergraduate institute, she teaches courses in a wide variety of subjects, ranging from elementary to advanced level undergraduate mathematics courses. In recent years she is teaching Biocalculus and Mathematical modeling of biological systems. She is passionate about encouraging and involving her students in research. Her students have presented in nationally recognized undergraduate conferences and some papers are published in peer-reviewed undergraduate journals, with her as co-Author. Since 2013 she is directing a summer research program in Biomathematics and Bioinformatics, which provides stipend and eight weeks research opportunity to six undergraduate students. Dr. Hota has received a number of peer-reviewed extramurally funded grant awards which have had a transformative impact on Fisk’s undergraduate curriculum as well as undergraduate research opportunities. She has also received grant funding from NSF and NIH to advance her own research.
Greg D. Goins, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Greensboro, North Carolina 27411
Dr. Gregory D. Goins is an Associate Professor of Environmental Biology at North Carolina A&T State University. His work aligns with the overall national goal to produce quality educational experiences for students interested in pursuing STEM careers. Dr. Goins has worked to improve design, implementation, and assessment of courses and curricula. Since 2006 at N.C. A&T State University, he has served as the principal investigator on the NSF supported Integrative Biomathematical Learning and Empowerment Network for Diversity (iBLEND) Project. iBLEND represents a N.C. Piedmont region-wide biomathematics research and training program to encourage, enable, and support students to pursue research careers at the interface of mathematics and biology. This is achieved by long-term immersion of students in cutting-edge research activities, coupled with close curricular ties and training activities between Mathematics and Biology Departments at several institutions across North Carolina. His proudest accomplishment is the co-authoring of the first-ever USDA 4-H National Science Experiment to originate at an 1890 land-grant university. iBLEND has received recognition from the National Academy of Sciences and the White House as an outstanding example of looking toward the future of STEM education. Dr. Goins recently served, as a Rotating Program Director for the Improving Undergraduate Stem Education (IUSE), Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM), and Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Programs, in the Division of Undergraduate Education at the National Science Foundation. His research has included funding by USDA, NASA, NSF, and NIH.
Derrick J. Hylton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Physics
Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia 30314
Dr. Derrick J. Hylton is an Associate Professor of Physics at Spelman College. His primary academic work is in understanding atomic physics, however he strives to build a thriving undergraduate physics program which includes a high degree of interdisciplinarity in the classroom. He is currently a reviewer for the American Council of Education, and has worked with the nationwide AP Physics development committee. His research has includes funding by NSF, most recently for a grant, “Long Term Trans-Disciplinary Project-Based Instruction in Biology and Physics” funded by the NSF TUES Program.
