Cynthia J. Moore

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

Director, Biology Teacher Education

Looking for fish in all the wrong places
(taking a break from fish collecting in the Yucatan

to birdwatch from the top of Mayan ruins at Cobá)

Research Interests

My laboratory is currently working on the application of recent discoveries about the zebrafish genome to endangered killifish species, and in genes involved in cellular aging mechanisms and cancer. My other focus is on science education research assessing techniques for presenting human molecular genetics to all levels of high school students, and strategies for developing effective partnerships between university scientists and K–12 schools. I have taught a variety of courses in molecular genetics, biochemistry, and aquarium science, including numerous professional development courses designed for in-service K-12 teachers.

Courses Taught

BSC 161 - Introduction to Teaching Science Seminar - Fall and Spring
                Syllabus
                Class website

BSC 231 - Laboratory Methods in Teaching Science - Spring
                Syllabus
                Class website

BSC 329 - Human Molecular Genetics - Fall
                Syllabus
                Class website

Professional Organizations

Recent Grants

National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education Program, 2001-2004, “Graduate Fellows to Aid Science and Math Education.”

Illinois State Board of Education, 2000-2002, Central Illinois SWEPT (Scientific Work Experience Partnerships for Teachers). Co-PI with Jenny Grogg.

National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award Program, 1998-2000, "Modern Genetics: A Hands-On Implementation Model”. Field-testing of high school genetics curriculum.

College of Arts and Sciences Small Grants for Research Program, 2000-2001, Molecular Analysis of Evolutionary Relationships among Subspecies of the Killifish Fundulopanchax gardneri.

Illinois State University, Global Connections: A Campus Exploration of the Growing World Community, Science in a World Community, 2000-2001. Interdepartmental science workshops for teachers.

Recent Publications

Seidman, L.A. and Moore, C.J. Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology. A Textbook and Laboratory Reference, Prentice Hall, Saddle River, NJ, 2000.

Moore, C.J., AbuSharbain, E., and May, V.L. Partnership to Engage St. Louis High School Students in Investigative Genetics. Academic Medicine 74(4):342-344, 1999.

Moore, C.J., May, V.L., et al.  Modern Genetics for All Students, a fourteen week curriculum unit for all levels of high school biology. In preparation, field testing and evaluation, 1993-2001.

Moore, C.J. The Genetics of Cancer. In: Human Biology, S. S. Gottfried, Mosby-Yearbook, St. Louis, pages 356-358, 1994.

Gould, M.N., Moore, C.J., Zhang, R., Wang, B., Kennan, W.S. and Haag, J.D. Limonene chemoprevention of mammary carcinoma induction following direct in situ transfer of v-Ha-ras. Cancer Research 54: 3540-3543, 1994.