Colorado Christian University has announced the hiring of Mark A.
Parker, Ph.D., as an associate professor of biology in the University's
School
of Humanities and Sciences. Dr. Parker comes to CCU after having led since
2006 as a senior scientist and head of product development at Novus Biologicals
in nearby Littleton, Colo. The biotech company specializes in developing
products that serve niche and emerging markets in the forefront of scientific
discovery.
Dr. Parker's addition to CCU's faculty comes at a time
when undergraduate students especially are expressing heightened interest in
pre-medicine or
biological sciences as areas of
study and career pursuit. Currently, new academic focuses in the sciences are
under discussion among CCU officials, who remain optimistic that Dr. Parker's
arrival bodes well for the future.
His appointment began this Monday
with the spring 2011 semester.
In his roles with Novus, Parker was
responsible for developing new products and supervising the technical support
of existing product lines. Since 2008, he'd also been on the adjunct biology
faculty at the University Center at Chaparral and at Arapahoe Community
College.
After earning a doctorate in biological sciences from the
University of Denver, he conducted his post-doctoral fellowship with the
University of Colorado's Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Biology. His research centered on developing several embryonic stem-cell lines
among mice to study the role of the BDNF protein (brain-derived neurotrophic
factor) in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
"Dr. Parker
brings an enthusiasm to CCU that will develop the Biology major into a
first-rate program that includes shadowing of professionals, internships, and
courses reflective of contemporary biology," commented Dr. Bill Saxby, CCU Dean
of Humanities and Sciences.