Retiring Faculty and Admin
Bruce Roundy | BIO
Dr. Bruce Roundy received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1973 and
1977. He completed his Ph.D. at Utah State University in 1984. Throughout his doctoral education,
Roundy worked as a range scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and afterward became a
professor at the University of Arizona, Tucson. In 1994, he came to BYU, excited about its location,
students, and emphasis on faith. He has enjoyed teaching courses on natural resources, ecology, and
the Book of Mormon. Roundy has received many awards for his teaching and research, most recently
receiving the W. R. Chapline Research Award. He has enjoyed the dedication of his students and feels
that he and his colleagues' work at BYU has enhanced the university’s reputation and education when
it comes to natural resources. Roundy enjoys biking, hiking, camping, traveling with his wife Virginia,
serving in his church calling, and spending time with his family.
1977. He completed his Ph.D. at Utah State University in 1984. Throughout his doctoral education,
Roundy worked as a range scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and afterward became a
professor at the University of Arizona, Tucson. In 1994, he came to BYU, excited about its location,
students, and emphasis on faith. He has enjoyed teaching courses on natural resources, ecology, and
the Book of Mormon. Roundy has received many awards for his teaching and research, most recently
receiving the W. R. Chapline Research Award. He has enjoyed the dedication of his students and feels
that he and his colleagues' work at BYU has enhanced the university’s reputation and education when
it comes to natural resources. Roundy enjoys biking, hiking, camping, traveling with his wife Virginia,
serving in his church calling, and spending time with his family.
Dennis Shiozawa | BIO
Dr. Dennis Shiozawa studied biology and chemistry at Weber State College. As a sophomore, he
conducted lab research studying pesticide susceptibility of mosquitoes, and later received a grant to
study the brine fly on Antelope Island. These undergraduate experiences set the course for his life and
his career. In 1974, Shiozawa received an M.S. degree at BYU in zoology with an emphasis on aquatic
ecology. He then earned his Ph.D. in fisheries biology at the University of Minnesota. Shiozawa was
hired at BYU in 1978, straight out of his doctoral program, and taught zoology and biology for forty
years. At the time of his retirement, Shiozawa served as chair of the Department of Biology. The
majority of his research focused on insects, fish phylogenetics, and aquatic ecology in Western North
America. His most recent research examined geologic history through the story of the cutthroat trout.
Shiozawa reports that the best part of his career was mentoring students.
conducted lab research studying pesticide susceptibility of mosquitoes, and later received a grant to
study the brine fly on Antelope Island. These undergraduate experiences set the course for his life and
his career. In 1974, Shiozawa received an M.S. degree at BYU in zoology with an emphasis on aquatic
ecology. He then earned his Ph.D. in fisheries biology at the University of Minnesota. Shiozawa was
hired at BYU in 1978, straight out of his doctoral program, and taught zoology and biology for forty
years. At the time of his retirement, Shiozawa served as chair of the Department of Biology. The
majority of his research focused on insects, fish phylogenetics, and aquatic ecology in Western North
America. His most recent research examined geologic history through the story of the cutthroat trout.
Shiozawa reports that the best part of his career was mentoring students.
Jack Sites | BIO
Dr. Jack Sites hails from Clarksville, Tennessee. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from Austin Peay
University in 1973 and 1975, then worked a year for the Tennessee Heritage Program. There, he
contributed to a database of localized habitats and threatened species in the state and came in contact
with several professors, who inspired him to return to graduate school. Sites and his wife, Joanne, moved
to Texas A&M for his Ph.D., where he studied evolutionary genetics. After a two year postdoc he was
hired by BYU's Department of Zoology in 1982, and has since taught several courses and contributed
greatly to his field of research. Sites says that his proudest accomplishment was helping with the 1990
creation and implementation of his department’s mission statement, ultimately developing research
foci in a few well-chosen disciplines. He plans on retiring to his wife’s family farm in Kentucky, there
focusing on ecological restoration, traveling with his daughter’s family, volunteering for field work
with colleagues, and writing a book.
University in 1973 and 1975, then worked a year for the Tennessee Heritage Program. There, he
contributed to a database of localized habitats and threatened species in the state and came in contact
with several professors, who inspired him to return to graduate school. Sites and his wife, Joanne, moved
to Texas A&M for his Ph.D., where he studied evolutionary genetics. After a two year postdoc he was
hired by BYU's Department of Zoology in 1982, and has since taught several courses and contributed
greatly to his field of research. Sites says that his proudest accomplishment was helping with the 1990
creation and implementation of his department’s mission statement, ultimately developing research
foci in a few well-chosen disciplines. He plans on retiring to his wife’s family farm in Kentucky, there
focusing on ecological restoration, traveling with his daughter’s family, volunteering for field work
with colleagues, and writing a book.
Kenneth Packer | MLBM
Kenneth Packer is retiring as Exhibit Designer and Lytle Preserve Coordinator of the Monte L.
Bean Life Science Museum. He was hired at the museum in 1979, after graduating from BYU and
teaching seminary in Orem for four years. His proudest accomplishments at the museum were his
involvement in the Ramses II exhibit of 1985, two successful museum accreditations, the physical
expansion of the museum building, and, most recently, the acquisition and curation of the Boyd K.
Packer special collection. Packer was also involved in the Lytle Preserve’s maintenance, buildup, info
structure development, and endowment management. Outside his career, Packer enjoys creating
bronze sculpture. He and his wife Bobby have eight children and thirty grandchildren.
Bean Life Science Museum. He was hired at the museum in 1979, after graduating from BYU and
teaching seminary in Orem for four years. His proudest accomplishments at the museum were his
involvement in the Ramses II exhibit of 1985, two successful museum accreditations, the physical
expansion of the museum building, and, most recently, the acquisition and curation of the Boyd K.
Packer special collection. Packer was also involved in the Lytle Preserve’s maintenance, buildup, info
structure development, and endowment management. Outside his career, Packer enjoys creating
bronze sculpture. He and his wife Bobby have eight children and thirty grandchildren.
Incoming Faculty
Liz Gibbons Bailey | BIO
Dr. Liz Gibbons Bailey is a Utah native. She received her Ph.D. in physiology and developmental
biology at BYU in 2013. While her husband completed his Ph.D. in counseling psychology, she
held full-time visiting faculty positions at both BYU and BYU-Hawaii. Most recently, she was an
assistant teaching professor at Georgetown University. She is thrilled to make a more permanent
home in the biology department and to have more time to focus on her research. Bailey is passionate
about teaching, and she studies the benefits of reciprocal peer tutoring, ways to integrate biology
and math, and gender gaps in biology education. She loves adventuring with her husband, playing
the piano, being with people, hiking, playing Tetris, dancing, and working with Excel spreadsheets.
biology at BYU in 2013. While her husband completed his Ph.D. in counseling psychology, she
held full-time visiting faculty positions at both BYU and BYU-Hawaii. Most recently, she was an
assistant teaching professor at Georgetown University. She is thrilled to make a more permanent
home in the biology department and to have more time to focus on her research. Bailey is passionate
about teaching, and she studies the benefits of reciprocal peer tutoring, ways to integrate biology
and math, and gender gaps in biology education. She loves adventuring with her husband, playing
the piano, being with people, hiking, playing Tetris, dancing, and working with Excel spreadsheets.
Samuel Payne | BIO
Dr. Samuel Payne is an associate professor of bioinformatics in the Department of Biology,
teaching courses on bioinformatics and bioethics. His research interests are focused on algorithms
for proteomics data analysis, multi-omics integration, biological data visualization, and data
science. Payne is currently principal investigator of a National Cancer Institute proteogenomics
data analysis center. Prior to joining BYU, he was a senior scientist with the Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory and principal investigator at the J. Craig Venter Institute. Payne received a B.S.
of computer science at Brigham Young University in 2002 and a Ph.D. in bioinformatics from the
University of California, San Diego, in 2008.
teaching courses on bioinformatics and bioethics. His research interests are focused on algorithms
for proteomics data analysis, multi-omics integration, biological data visualization, and data
science. Payne is currently principal investigator of a National Cancer Institute proteogenomics
data analysis center. Prior to joining BYU, he was a senior scientist with the Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory and principal investigator at the J. Craig Venter Institute. Payne received a B.S.
of computer science at Brigham Young University in 2002 and a Ph.D. in bioinformatics from the
University of California, San Diego, in 2008.
Jordan Yorgason | PDBIO
Dr. Jordan Yorgason became interested in addiction research during his undergraduate training
with Dr. Scott Steffensen at BYU. He performed his doctoral studies at Wake Forest University,
studying environmental factors that contribute to alcohol effects on dopamine transmission and
related behaviors. Yorgason received postdoctoral training at the Vollum Institute in Oregon,
then returned to BYU to continue his postdoctoral studies. He focused his research on the role
of midbrain GABA neuron activity in aspects of behavioral motivation for drugs of abuse. As he
transitions to an assistant professor position in the PDBIO department, his work will focus on
investigating midbrain and striatal neural circuitry underlying psychostimulant and opiate-seeking
behavior. Yorgason enjoys spending time with his wife and five kids and playing the cello.
with Dr. Scott Steffensen at BYU. He performed his doctoral studies at Wake Forest University,
studying environmental factors that contribute to alcohol effects on dopamine transmission and
related behaviors. Yorgason received postdoctoral training at the Vollum Institute in Oregon,
then returned to BYU to continue his postdoctoral studies. He focused his research on the role
of midbrain GABA neuron activity in aspects of behavioral motivation for drugs of abuse. As he
transitions to an assistant professor position in the PDBIO department, his work will focus on
investigating midbrain and striatal neural circuitry underlying psychostimulant and opiate-seeking
behavior. Yorgason enjoys spending time with his wife and five kids and playing the cello.
Jeff Glenn | PH
Jeff Glenn completed his doctor of public health at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
His research has focused on systems thinking approaches to eliminating neglected tropical diseases
in sub-Saharan Africa and on assessing the sustainability of public health programs in low-resource
settings. Prior to his doctoral education, Glenn worked as a presidential management fellow and
public health advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA, where he
helped establish the agency’s global cancer program. He holds a master of public administration
from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from
Brigham Young University. Glenn grew up in Salt Lake City, UT, and enjoys spending time outdoors
and traveling to new places with his wife, Kathryn, and their two children.
His research has focused on systems thinking approaches to eliminating neglected tropical diseases
in sub-Saharan Africa and on assessing the sustainability of public health programs in low-resource
settings. Prior to his doctoral education, Glenn worked as a presidential management fellow and
public health advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA, where he
helped establish the agency’s global cancer program. He holds a master of public administration
from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from
Brigham Young University. Glenn grew up in Salt Lake City, UT, and enjoys spending time outdoors
and traveling to new places with his wife, Kathryn, and their two children.
Alisha Redelfs | PH
Dr. Alisha Redelfs received her B.S. in biology and chemistry from Rocky Mountain College in 2003
and earned her master of public health from BYU in 2010. In 2013, she earned her Ph.D. in public
health from the University of Texas Health Center at Houston. Before coming to BYU, Redelfs
worked at the University of Texas at El Paso overseeing evaluations and research related to healthy
living in the US-Mexico border region. The end goal of her research is to make the best health
practices available to all communities. She chose to return to BYU because of the opportunity to
“include all truth” as she teaches and “to train students... to make a difference.” Outside of work,
Redelfs loves sports, nature, new technology, weightlifting, reading, and trying new things. She and
her husband Reuben have been married for six years and have three children.
and earned her master of public health from BYU in 2010. In 2013, she earned her Ph.D. in public
health from the University of Texas Health Center at Houston. Before coming to BYU, Redelfs
worked at the University of Texas at El Paso overseeing evaluations and research related to healthy
living in the US-Mexico border region. The end goal of her research is to make the best health
practices available to all communities. She chose to return to BYU because of the opportunity to
“include all truth” as she teaches and “to train students... to make a difference.” Outside of work,
Redelfs loves sports, nature, new technology, weightlifting, reading, and trying new things. She and
her husband Reuben have been married for six years and have three children.