Ginger Fisher

Contact Information

Education

• Ph. D.: Biology, Wake Forest University
• M.S.: Biology, Wake Forest University
• B.S.: Environmental Health, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• B.A.: Biology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Professional/Academic Experience

2014-present; Assistant Professor, MBS Director and Prehealth Advisor, University of Northern Colorado

2009-2014; Instructor, MBS Director and Prehealth Advisor, University of Northern Colorado

2008-2009; PreProfessional Advisor, Adjunct Instructor, University of Colorado at Boulder

2002-2008; Assistant Professor, Wilson College

Research/Areas of Interest

My early research focused on the physiology of aquatic organisms, but more recently I have begun research in the area of bioeducation.  Overall, I am interested in how students become more expert-like in their thinking and how they begin to act more like scientists.  I have developed a course-based undergraduate research expereince (CURE) for use in our introductory biology course and am working with colleagues to assess its impact on students.  I am also examining student metacognitive abilities and how these abilities impact student success in introductory biology courses.

Publications/Creative Works

Selected Publications

• Fisher, G.R. and S.E. DeChenne. (2015). Presenting clicker questions with an open versus closed format. J. Micro. & Biol. Educ. 16(2): 254-255 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.vI6i2.951
• Olimpo, J.T., Fisher, G.R. & S.E. DeChenne. (In review) Development and evaluation of a hybrid course-based undergraduate research experience: impacts on students’ conceptual understanding, attitudes, and motivation in a medium-enrollment, majors introductory biology course. 
• Schultz, L. A., Kelly, M. & Fisher, G.R. (accepted) Joint action effects of emamectin benzoate and cyperemethrin on the marine copepod Tigriopus californicus. Submitted to The Undergraduate Research Journal of the University of Northern Colorado.
• Fisher, G.R. 2011. Biological Perspectives Lab Manual. Kendall-Hunt, Dubuque IA.
• Goodwin, D., Wells, E., Fisher, G.R., Harriger, M.D., Lionberger, K., Okereke, V. & Staples, H. (eds). 2007. Instructor’s Guide for AP Environmental Science for Living in the Environment; fifteenth edition.  Brooks – Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.
• Goodwin, D., Wells, E., Fisher, G.R., & Haidinger, T. (eds). 2006.    Instructor’s Guide for AP Environmental Science for Living in the Environment: fourteenth edition. Brooks – Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.
• Fisher, G.R. 2006.  Evaluating freshwater biodiversity in your own backyard. In Instructor’s Guide for AP Environmental Science for Living in the Environment.  Brooks – Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.
• Fisher, G.R. 2006 Techniques for the analysis of terrestrial biodiversity. In Instructor’s Guide for AP Environmental Science for Living in the Environment.  Brooks – Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.
• Fisher, G.R. & R.V. Dimock Jr. 2006. Indicators of physiological condition in juveniles of Utterbackia imbecillis (Bivalvia: Unionidae): a comparison of rearing techniques. American Malacological Bulletin 21:23-29
• Onwueme, I. & Fisher, G.R. (eds). 2005.  Proceedings of the Richard Alsina Fulton Conference on Sustainability and the Environment.
• Fisher, G.R. and R.V. Dimock Jr. 2002.  Morphological and biochemical changes during metamorphosis in Utterbackia imbecillis (Bivalvia: Unionidae).Journal of Molluscan Studies 68: 159-164.
• Fisher, G.R. and R.V. Dimock Jr. 2002. Ultrastructure of the mushroom body: digestion during metamorphosis of Utterbackia imbecillis (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Invertebrate Biology 121: 126-135.
• Fisher, G.R., R.V. Dimock Jr. and R.E. Kuhn. 2000. The symbiotic water mite Unionicola formosa (Acari: Unionicolidae) ingests mucus and tissue of its molluscan host.  Journal of Parasitology 86: 1254-1257.
• Fisher, G.R. and R.V. Dimock Jr. 2000. Viability of glochidia of Utterbackia imbecillis following their removal from the parental mussel.  In Freshwater Mollusk Symposium Proceedings – Part II: Proceedings of the First Symposium of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, Chattanooga, Tennessee, March 1999.  P.D. Johnson and R.S. Butler (eds).  Ohio Biological Survey, Columbus, Ohio.

 

Selected Presentations

• Olimpo, J.T., Fisher, G.R., & DeChenne, S.E. Impacts of a Course-Based Research Experience on Novice Students’ Attitudes and Motivation in Biology. National Association for Research in Science Teaching. April 2016.
• Olimpo, J.T., DeChenne, S.E. & Fisher, G.R. Implementation and Evaluation of a Course-Based Research Experience in Introductory Biology. AAC&U Crossing Boundaries: Transforming STEM Education. November 2015.
•  Fisher, G. R. & Skufca, F.A.  Summary of Postbaccalaureate Programs: Creating an Advising Tool.  National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. June 2014.
•  Fisher, G.R. Tools for Exploring Health Careers.  Western Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.  March 2013.
•  Fisher, G. R & Soslau, G.  Which Type of Post-Baccalaureate Program Will Best Serve Your Advisees?  Western Association of Advisors for the Health Professions?  March 2013.
• Fisher,G.R. Using Clickers: Does Asking Open-ended Questions Improve Student Performance?  International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, March 2013.
• Beckoff, A., Bennett P., Brooks, A., & Fisher, G.R. Instilling Professionalism in Communication. National Association of Advisors for Health Professions, June 2008
• Frankford, A. & Fisher, G.R.. Testing the effects of humans on optimal foraging in urban American gray squirrels Sciurus carolinensis. Pennsylvania Academy of Science, April 2008.
• Welteroth, K. & Fisher, G.R. Preference between destructible and indestructible toys in Panthera tigris. Pennsylvania Academy of Science, April 2007.
• Servansky, K., & Fisher, G.R. Displayed behaviors of rats (Rattus norvegicus) in enriched and standard housing conditions. Pennsylvania Academy of Science, April 2006.
• Shaffer, A. & Fisher, G.R. Intraspecific aggression in male water mites, Unionicola foili. Pennsylvania Academy of Science, April 2005.
• Garrett, J. & Fisher,G.R.  An analysis of the camouflage ability of early and late juvenile cuttlefish.  Pennsylvania Academy of Science, March 2004.
• Stone, A. & Fisher, G.R.  An analysis of gibbon vocalization in zoos, animal rescues and in the wild.  Pennsylvania Academy of Science, March 2004.
• Fisher, G.R. Morphological and molecular changes during metamorphosis in Utterbackia imbecillis (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Southeastern Biology 49: 122, 2002.
• Fisher, G. R. Ultrastructure of the mushroom body: digestion during metamorphosis of Utterbackia imbecillis (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Southeastern Biology 49:121, 2002.