Who to contact?
Who are the people in the Biology department who can answer my questions?
For all Biology related questions email: biology@utrgv.edu
When you email include your full name and student ID number. This mailbox is monitored, and inquiries will be addressed or forwarded to the most appropriate person.
Administrative Associates
Julie Perez – Administrative Assistant I, ESCNE 2.368, 956-665-5223. Julie.perez@utrgv.edu, Second Administrative Assistant to the Department Chair and the Biology Department.
- Julie is the point person for Biology students to address questions about overrides, course availability, questions about advising, degree plans, or course substitutions.
Daisy Garcia – Administrative Assistant I, Biology & Chemistry, Brownsville Campus, BLHSB 1.808, 956-882-5749, daisy.garcia@utrgv.edu.
- Daisy works with student concerns and administrative duties for those primarily on the Brownsville Campus.
Diana Ocañas – Administrative Assistant II, ESCNE 2.352, 956-665-3537, diana.ocanas@utrgv.edu, First Administrative Assistant to the Department Chair and the Biology Department.
- Diana also helps with handling student concerns such as overrides, etc., but she primarily deals with faculty budgets, accounting, etc.
Faculty
Interim Chair of the Biology Department, Dr. Robert K. Dearth, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, Biology, ESCNE 4.633, Robert.dearth@utrgv.edu
- Dr. Dearth’s PhD is from Texas A&M University, he studies hormonal regulation of breast cancer development. The role of Graduate Program Coordinator is to assist the Chair in developing policies, curriculum, and helping students enter and succeed in the biology graduate program.
- The Department Chair is the administrative position that oversees all faculty and students in the biology department. They work with students who are struggling to improve their GPA and are the final decision-maker on most overrides, course substitutions, etc.
Associate Chair of the Biology Department, Dr. Daniele Provenzano, Professor, Biology, BBRHP 1.125, (956) 882-5045.
- Dr. Provenzano’s PhD is from UTHSC in San Antonio in Microbiology. He studies microbial pathogenesis and microbiology. His office and laboratory are on the Brownsville campus, and he assists with scheduling and other issues in Brownsville.
Dr. Kathryn E. Perez - Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Biology, ESCNE 1.316, Kathryn.perez@utrgv.edu
- Dr. Perez’s PhD is from the University of Alabama, she studies snails and student learning of evolution. The role of Undergraduate Program Coordinator is to assist the Chair in developing curriculum and other activities that help students succeed in the biology program.
Dr. Frank Dirrigl, Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, Biology, ESCNE 2.344, (956) 665-8732.
- Dr. Dirrigl’s PhD is in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut and is a traditional naturalist with research interest in vertebrate osteology/taphonomy and environmental biology.
For future reference, current contact info can always be found here:
https://www.utrgv.edu/biology/faculty/edinburg/index.htm
https://www.utrgv.edu/biology/faculty/brownsville/index.htm
Biology faculty’s research: https://www.utrgv.edu/biology/research/research-fields/index.htm