Ann Aguanno

Title

Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences
Professor of Biology and Coordinator, Biology Post Bac Progams
She/Her/Hers

Department

Natural Sciences

Email

aaguanno@mmm.edu

Phone

212-774-4838

About

Dr. Aguanno received her B.A. in Biology and Physical Anthropology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She earned an M.S. and Ph.D. in Molecular Biology with a focus on Development and Neuroscience at New York University. She conducted research as a post-doctoral fellow at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology at the Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceutical Company, and held faculty positions at Stevens Institute of Technology and Rutgers University.

Dr. Aguanno joined Marymount Manhattan College in 2002. She teaches a number of the introductory-level Biology courses, Cellular & Molecular Biology and the capstone Genetics course, along with a variety of general education courses (e.g., Evolution, Bioethics). She is the chair of the Department of Natural Sciences and coordinates the Biology Post Bac Program.

Dr. Aguanno has an active research program in which she guides the research of students within the Biology major. Her group investigates the role of a member of the cyclin dependent kinase family in the development of the mammalian tissue systems. Specifically, her lab examines the role of this protein in neurodegenerative diseases and the regulation of insulin. Her research group has enjoyed much success with the award of multiple grants to the laboratory and the earning of First Place Honors by her research students in a number of scientific research conference presentations.

Dr. Aguanno also explores effective methods for training undergraduate biology researchers. She recently co-authored a chapter on innovations in biology education where she described her approach for training undergraduate scientists.

She also studies the pedagogy of incorporating national newspapers into the science classroom and frequently leads faculty workshops on the method she developed to accomplish this. Recently she has begun to focus on fundamental best practices in molecular life science education and the development of complex teaching modules for application in the biology teaching lab.

She is the recipient of the 2011 Council on Undergraduate Research “Outstanding Biology Mentor Award” and the 2016 Outstanding Science Faculty at MMC.

Degree(s)

B.S., State University of New York, Buffalo
M.S., New York University
Ph.D., New York University

Recent Work

PUBLICATIONS/ABSTRACTS

Tran, B and A. Aguanno 2018 “Pilot implementation of a cell culture-based educational module in a gateway cellular and molecular biology course at a Liberal Arts PUI.” FASEB J April 32:925.16

Furnari, J., and A. Aguanno 2018 “Using a Laboratory Teaching Module to Train Undergraduate Students in Cell Culture Based Research” FASEB JApril 32:663.31

Mora, K., and A. Aguanno 2018“CDK5: The Connection between Alzheimer’s Disease and Type 2 Diabetes? FASEB JApril 32:805.26

Benore, M., Provost, J., Aguanno, A. and Vega, Q. 2016 “The Balance of a PUI Career. What is the tightrope you walk?” FASEB JApril 30:883.3

Aguanno, A., Mertz, P., Martin, D., Bell, E. 2015 “A National Comparison of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Capstone Experiences.” BAMBED, 43 (4, July/August):223–232, (DOI 10.1002/bmb.20869)

Bell, J., Aguanno, A., Mertz, P., Johnson, M., and Fox, K. 2016 “RCN-UBE: Integrating Evolution and Homeostasis with the Core Concepts of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology” FASEB J April 29:559.2

McIlrath, V., Trye, A., Aguanno, A. 2015 “Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module” JoVE, 6/18/15 Issue 100(DOI: doi:10.3791/52528)  http://www.jove.com/video/52528

Benore, M., Provost, J., Aguanno, A. and Vega, Q. 2016 “The Balance of a PUI Career. What is the tightrope you walk?” FASEB J April 30:883.3

McIlrath, V., Trye, A., Aguanno, A. 2015 “Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module” JoVE, 6/18/15 Issue 100 (DOI: doi:10.3791/52528)  http://www.jove.com/video/52528

Aguanno, A., Mertz, P., Martin, D. and Bell, E. 2014 “A national comparison of learning objectives and outcome assessment of the biochemistry and molecular biology capstone experience: building the ASBMB Concept Inventory” FASEB J April 28:618.13

Trye, A. and Aguanno, A., 2014 “Elucidating the role of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in insulin exocytosis: studies toward understanding a possible link between neurodegeneration and type II diabetes” FASEB J. 28:576.4

McIlrath, V., Trye, A., and Aguanno, A. 2014 “Using breast cancer cells to teach students about cell division and signaling through cell culture techniques: a simple lab module” FASEB J., 28: 618.27.

Aguanno, A. and Sumter, T., 2013 “Innovation in Foundation Courses and Undergraduate Research Experiences: Training the Next Generation of Scientists”.” Roberta V. Nata (Ed.). Progress in Education, Volume 30 Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Hauppauge, NY, 11788

Trye, A and Aguanno, A., 2013,“The role of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 in insulin exocytosis”. FASEB J., 27:1030.1

Khost, D.E. and Aguanno, A., 2013, “Cyclin dependent kinase 5’s role in the development of both insulin-positive and neuronal phenotypes” FASEB J., 27:1030.3

Brower, A., Romano, R., Columbus, D., and Aguanno, A., 2012, “Gaining those important lab skills: Three different training programs at a liberal arts college.” In FASEB J., 26:619.5

Aguanno, A., 2012, “Getting the high schools involved in scientific research! The New York City Partnership to Advance Science (NYCPAS); Collaborative research projects between NYC high schools and a liberal arts college: The pilot year.” FASEB J., 26:618.1

GRANTS AWARDED

Sr. Colette Mahoney Grant, 2014 Marymount Manhattan College Faculty-Student Research

Joseph Alexander Foundation Award, 2013-14, Faculty-Student Research

Science Undergraduate Research Grant (SURG) Program 2013 LI-COR Biosciences, US

Research Coordination Network, Undergraduate Biology Education (RCN-UBE) Award 2010-2015 Contributor, National Science Foundation (ASBMB/UAN) ($370,000, NSF0957205)

Geraldine Ferraro Center for Educational Excellence in Science, Technology, Mathematics 2010-2011 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), Congressionally Directed Projects, U.S. Department of Education ($400,000)Coauthor & Contributor, with Division of Sciences, MMC

Sokol Award 2011-2012 Marymount Manhattan College

Science Award 2009-2015 Marymount Manhattan College, Faculty-Student Research Grant

Campus Challenge Partnership Award 2009-2011 New York Organ Donor Network

Freeman Award 2008-2009 Marymount Manhattan College, Faculty-Student Research Grant

Research

Principal Investigator Marymount Manhattan College (2002-present)

Examine role of cyclin dependent kinase, cdk5, in mammalian tissue development. Analyze expression profiles of cdk5 and p35/39 in response to differentiation agents in cell lines PC12 (neuronal-like) and AR42J (b-cell like); inhibit cdk5 activity and analyze resulting alteration in cell morphology/biochemistry; investigate CDK5 as a link between neurodegeneration and insulin dysregulation. Mentored sixteen undergraduate researchers
Pedagogical Methods (2006-present)

A) Mentoring undergraduate students in scientific research projects. Devised codified training protocol reliant on a peer-mentoring system to indoctrinate research students

B) Incorporating the New York Times into the classroom. Devise protocol and assessment instruments for integration of national newspapers into majors/non-major biology courses

C) Devising Effective Student Center Learning Activities for Biology Undergraduates

D) Pedagogy of cooperative examinations in the classroom (2003-2007)

Teaching

General Biology I & II (BIOL 220/222)

Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOL 240)

Laboratory Research Methods (BIOL 251)

Genetics (BIOL 425)

Evolution (BIOL 127 and Online))

Honors Evolution (BIOL HP 127)

Heredity (BIOL 129)

Bioethics (BIOL 332)

Principles of Natural Sciences (BIOL 105/106)

Professional Experience

National Chair, ASBMB Student Chapters (Elected) 2014- 2017 American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Wash. D.C.

Director, Northeast Region, Student Chapters (Appointed) 2007-2014, 2018 American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Wash. D.C.

Member, Educational and Professional Development Committee 2007-present American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Wash. D.C.

Consultant: Subject Matter Expert (SME) 2013-present Vital Technology Management, LLC. , VT (RFP # Quote#083013

Steering Committee, RCN-Undergraduate Biology Education Award 2013-present National Science Foundation (ASBMB/UAN) ($370,000, NSF#0957205)

Program Coordinator New York City Partnership to Advance Science (NYCPAS) Research Program 2010-present Marymount Manhattan College, NY

Conference Organizer

Catalyst Conversations for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Educators February, 2018 ASBMB Student Chapters Organization Marymount Manhattan College, NY

Developing and Sharing Best Practices: From Concept to Classroom March 2016 Research Coordination Network-Undergraduate Biology Education, NSF Marymount Manhattan College, NY

Transforming Undergraduate Education in the Molecular Life Sciences July 2015 Missouri Western Sate University, St. Joseph, MO (w/ASBMB Student Chapters)

Northeast Regional ASBMB-UAN Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Concept January 2013 Inventory Workshop: Assessment of Student’s Reasoning Research Coordination Network-Undergraduate Biology Education, NSF Marymount Manhattan College, NY

New York City Partnership to Advance Science (NYCPAS) Research Symposium June 2011 Marymount Manhattan College, NY

Northeast Regional ASBMB-UAN Leader’s Biochemistry Concept Workshop January 2011 Promoting Concept Driven Teaching Strategies in BMB through Concept Assessments Research Coordination Network- Undergraduate Biology Education, NSF Montclair University, NJ (with Q.Vega, Ph.D.)

Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Biological Sciences 2008-11, 2013-14 William Paterson University, NJ (with J. Menon, Ph.D)

Poster Competition Judge (Invited)

Annual Undergraduate Student Research Achievement Award Poster Competition 2005-201

Lead Judge 2011-2016

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Experimental Biology Conferences

Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2007-11, 2013-14 William Patterson University, Wayne NJ

Publishing Consultant

Genetics Advisory Panel, Member 2010-present John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ

Biology Subject Matter Expert 2015-present LearningMate Solutions, INC, New York

Learning Express, LLC, New York 2008 Generated test questions for Science sections of Praxis II Exams, ACT exams

Media Author, W. H Freeman & Co., NY ((Art Development, Assessment Instruments, Figure Conversion Engines, Electronic Learning Tools)

Shuster, M. et. al., Scientific American Biology for a Changing World, 2^nd ed. 2015

Lodish, H. et. al., Molecular Cell Biology, 7^th ed. 2013

Raven, P. et. al., Biology of Plants, 7^th ed. 2012

Phelan, J., What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology. 1^st ed., 2012

Pierce, B. Genetics 4^th ed. 2011

Phelan, J., What is Life? A Guide to Biology. 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd ed., 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015

Text Book Reviewer

Alberts, et.al., Essential Cell Biology, 4^th ed, Taylor Francis, 2016

Watson, J. et. al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 7^th ed. Pearson, 2016

Alberts, B., et. al., Essential Cell Biology, 3^rd ed. Garland Science, 2015

Zimmer, C., The Tangled Bank: An Introduction to Evolution, 2^nd ed. Roberts & Co., CO, 2013

Pierce, B., Genetics: A Conceptual Approach, , 4^th ed. W.H. Freeman, New York, 2012

Shuster, M. et. al., Scientific American Biology for a Changing World, 1^st ed. W.H. Freeman, NY 2012

Freeman, S., Biological Science, 4^th Ed.; Benjamin Cummings: New York, 2011

Pierce, B., Genetics 3^rd, 4^th ed. W.H. Freeman, New York , 2009, 2011

Snustad & Simmons, Principles of Genetics, 6^th ed., J. Wiley & Sons, NY, 2011

Reeses, B., et. al., Campbell Biology, 9th ed., Pearson Higher Ed. NY, 2011

Phelan, J., What is Life? A Guide to Biology. 1^st ed. W.H. Freeman, New York, 2009

Shuster, M., et. al., Biology for a Changing World , W.H. Freeman, New York, 2008, 2010

Watson, J. T., et., al., Molecular Biology of the Gene 5^th ed. Pearson Education, INC, CA, 2005

Mader, S., Biology, 7ed. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, 2002

Beran. J.A., Laboratory Manual for Principals of General Chemistry, 6^th ed. J Wiley & Sons, NY, 2000

Consultant, Stevens Institute of Technology 2002 Designed course Business and Biotech for Business and Technology Program (Chair, R. Seymour, Ph.D)

Forensic DNA Analysis: Forensic Biology Laboratory 10/2002- 1/2003 Aided in DNA identification of victims of 9/11, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, New York, NY

Location

Carson Hall 603