IMCO 371

Desha Thorne

Chair Kristi Westover leads the way for Department of Biology future

Dr. Kristi Westover has worked at Winthrop University for over 20 years. She recently
started her new position as Chairman of the biology department. Since 2001 the biology
department has worked with the National Institute of Health (NIH) to get more grants and
funding for students at Winthrop in the biology, chemistry, and math departments. The push
toward undergraduate research has been the largest endeavor. NIH is federally funded. The
funding is meant to help states who want to facilitate better science research programs for
colleges and universities.
Greater initiative funding for science research has been the biggest change in the biology
department. Some research projects that benefited from this increased funding have been cancer
biology projects spearheaded by Dr. Glasscock research on prostate cancer. Dr. Superkick’s
research on geoblastoma cancer and Dr. Burkbower’s study of the nervous system. Current
projects in the biology department include conservation biology and primate biology projects.
Dr. Kristi Westover is a plant ecologist by training, she has done research on host pathogen
evolution, the study of how viruses evolve. During the COVID 19 pandemic, Winthrop looked to
the biology department for direction and information on how to navigate this virus.
The relationship with NIH and the training students receive from these grant initiatives
helps Winthrop gain public recognition. The future of the Biology department is bright.
Dr. Kristi Westover hopes for a continued investment in undergraduate research experience and
more options for nontraditional students. Dr. Kristi Westover is the epitome of innovation and
hope. She provides a bright future for the Biology department.