Faculty Bio

Dr. Gary Grothman

Assistant Professor, Biology. Chair, Natural and Mathematical Sciences

My focus in my courses is on genetics and molecular biology, building on a background in immunology. My research is devoted to tardigrades: microscopic animals both tough and charming.

I teach mostly on the “small” side of biology – cells and molecules, including genetics and immunology. I do occasionally consider the macroscopic world in terms of human anatomy, but even then I’m fascinated by what’s going on at the microscopic and molecular level.

Between classes I gather moss to pick through for tardigrades, so-called “water bears”, which are wonderful, tough, charismatic animals that easily justify long hours at the microscope.

Outside of academia, I bring joy to all around me by nit-picking scientific and other inaccuracies in movies, and also enjoy reading, programming, and other introverted pursuits. Somehow along the way I’ve acquired a great wife and wonderful daughter, and together we travel, play strategy games, and enjoy music in many forms.

Specialization/Research Interest:

Tardigrade biology and taxonomy; immunology.

Education

PhD (Microbiology and Immunology), State University of New York HSC at Syracuse
BSc (Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology), University of Calgary

  • Grothman GT, Johansson C, Chilton G, Kagoshima H, Tsujimoto M, Suzuki AC. 2017. Gilbert Rahm and the status of Mesotardigrada Rahm, 1937. Zoological Science. 34: 5-10.
  • Suzuki AC, Kagoshima H, Chilton G, Grothman GT, Johansson C, Tsujimoto M. 2017. Meiofaunal richness in highly acidic hot springs in Unzen-Amakusa National Park, Japan, including the first rediscovery attempt for Mesotardigrada. Zoological Science. 34: 11-17.
  • Grothman G, McLean MA. 2015. Kill the Aliens: a case study on the control of leafy spurge. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (NCCSTS). Grothman G. 2013. Tardigrades: A Brief Overview. Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada. 32(2): 12-22.
  • Grothman, G. 2012. Preliminary survey of tardigrades from Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. (12th International Symposium on Tardigrada, poster presentation).
  • Francis-Poscente K, McLean MA, Clay M, Grothman G, and Braverman L. 2011. Pre-service teachers’ experiences co-teaching with scientists in Discovering Science. Proceedings of the 2011 Annual Conference of the Canadian Society for the Study of Education.
  • Grothman GT. 2011. Tardigrades of Fish Creek Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada: a preliminary survey. Canadian Field-Naturalist 125:22-26.
  • Grothman GT and Massa PT. 1995. The expression of MHC class I and interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 in neural cell lines are correlated. FASEB Journal 9:A239.
  • Paul LC, Grothman GT, Benediktsson H, Davidoff AW, and Rozing J. 1992. Macrophage subpopulations in normal and transplanted heart and kidney tissues in the rat. Transplantation 53:157-162.
  • Higgy NA, Davidoff AW, Grothman GT, and Paul LC. 1991. Expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor in rat heart allografts. Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation 10:1012-1022.

  • Dr. Grothman’s research is devoted to tardigrades: microscopic animals both tough and charming.