Carissa Ganong

Carissa Ganong is an Associate Professor of Biology at Missouri Western State University, where responsibilities include teaching upper-division courses in invertebrate zoology, entomology, and parasitology, as well as introductory biology lectures and labs. In their research, Carissa focuses on the anthropogenic impacts on aquatic macroinvertebrates in both tropical and temperate streams. Additionally, Carissa has been the REU coordinator for the Organization for Tropical Studies since 2014, where the role involves managing a summer undergraduate research program, developing educational content, and facilitating student research projects. Previous academic positions include Visiting Assistant Professor at Northern Michigan University and lab instructor/teaching assistant positions at the University of Georgia and the University of Central Arkansas. Carissa holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from The University of Georgia and has a Master's Degree in Biology with a focus on Insect Ecology from the University of Central Arkansas, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Biochemistry, and Spanish from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.