Dr. Smirla Ramos-Montañez joins the Warner Pacific faculty in a full-time capacity as Assistant Professor of Biology after serving at the College as an adjunct instructor. “I see my role as an advocate and supporter of students as they grow spiritually and academically,” she explains. “I want to provide opportunities for students to explore science, expand their understanding, and build critical thinking skills.”
Dr. Ramos-Montañez is a native of Puerto Rico, where she earned her undergraduate degree at the Inter American University. She completed her graduate education in Microbiology with Dr. Malcolm Winkler and holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Indiana University, Bloomington, and was a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at University of Washington, Seattle.
As the Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Ramos-Montañez will teach science courses including anatomy and physiology, genetics, and microbiology. When asked what she is looking forward to in her new role, the professor replied, “…I’m excited about the opportunity to build relationships and work with talented and collaborative faculty, students, and staff. I am also excited about trying to find ways to bridge formal and informal learning experiences to serve students.”
Dr. Ramos-Montañez’s research and publications include:
- Pattison S, Gontan I, Ramos-Montanez, S. The Identity-Frame Model: A Preliminary Framework to Describe Situated Identity Negotiation for Adolescent Girls Participating in an Informal Engineering Education Program. IN REVIEW Journal of Learning Sciences 2017
- Pattison S, Rubin A, Benne A, Gontan I, Andanen E, Shagott T, Francisco M, Ramos-Montanez, S, Bromley C, Dierking L. The Impact of Facilitation by Museum Educators on Family Learning at Interactive Exhibits: Results of a Quasi-experimental Study. Visitor Studies Journal 2016 IN REVIEW
- Pattison S, Randol S, Benne, M, Rubin A, Gontan I, Andanen E, Bromley C, Ramos-Montanez S. A Design-Based Research Study to Model Staff-Facilitated Family Learning at Interactive Math Exhibits. Visitor Studies Journal 2016 IN REVIEW
- Lisher JP, Tsui HT, Ramos-Montanez S, Hentchel KL, Martin JE, Trinidad JC, Winkler ME. Biological and Chemical Adaptation to Endogenous Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39.mSphere 2017 Jan 4;2(1).
- Kinkel TL, Ramos-Montanez S, Pando JM, Tadeo DV, Strom EN, Libby SJ, Fang FC. An essential role for bacterial nitric oxide synthase is Staphylococcus aureus electron transfer and colonization. Nature Microbiology Nov 28:2:16224
- Ramos-Montañez S, Hentchel KL, Kazmierczak KM, Winkler ME. Instability of ackA (Acetate Kinase) Mutants and Their Effects on Acetyl Phosphate (AcP) and ATP Production in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39. Journal of Bacteriology, 2010 Dec;192(24):6390-400.
- Ramos-Montanez, S, Tsui HC, Wayne KJ, Morris JL, Peters LE, Zhang F, Kazmierczak KM, Sham LT, Winkler ME. Polymorphism and regulation of the spxB (pyruvate oxidase) virulence factor gene by a CBS-HotDog domain protein (SpxR) in serotype 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae. Molecular Microbiology, 2008 Feb;67(4):729-46.
- Winkler ME and Ramos-Montañez S. (2009). Histidine Biosynthesis. In J.L. Ingraham and F.C. Neidhardt (Eds.). Escherichia coli and Salmonella: Cellular and Molecular Biology 3rd edition. In Press. Module 3.6.1.9 on web edition