Stephen Cessna

Steve received his BA in chemistry and biochemistry in Colorado in 1991 and then taught middle school math and science in Lesotho in southern Africa. After returning to the US in 1995, getting married and moving to Indiana, Steve finished a PhD degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2000. At EMU, Steve teaches courses in introductory biology, chemistry, biochemistry, botany and sustainability.

He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, an international journal published by EMU in collaboration with Executive Editor Dr. Nuri Balta of Suleyman Demril University, Kazahkstan. 

Dr. Cessna’s research interests include: Measuring terpenoid, oxidant and anti-oxidant content in plants responding to stresses and science and environmental education research

Presentations in the last 10 years:

S Cessna, Framing GOB chemistry content using medical case studies, University of Kentucky, August 2024

S Cessna The ‘knot of contradictions’: Dialectical tensions that describe the varied experiences and shifting attitudes of students in relation to the lab curriculum. A talk for the Biennial Conference for Chemical Education, Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN, July, 2018

S Cessna. How do you alter a university culture? A summary of interventions aimed at shifting a small college’s STEM division for better retention of under-represented groups. A talk for the Biennial Conference for Chemical Education, Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN, July, 2018

S Cessna, T Kishbaugh, Improving retention through teaching strategies and peer tutoring. A talk for the 254th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, Washington D.C., August, 2017

S Cessna, L Britt, A grounded theory study of undergraduate student identity and their (mis)understanding the nature of science and chemistry. A talk for the Biennial Conference for Chemistry Education, Northern Colorado University, Greeley, CO, August, 2016

S Cessna, A qualitative assessment of student experience of an authentic research project in general chemistry. A talk for the Biennial Conference for Chemistry Education, Northern Colorado University, Greeley, CO, August, 2016

(2020/21)

• Editor in Chief, JRSMTE: the Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education

• "STEM Scholars Engaging in Local Problems" - A National Science Foundation SSTEM grant, $649, 998 (PI: Kishbaugh, Co-PIs: Cessna, Tian, King, Showalter) 2018
• “Faculty-Led Institutional Transformation for Teaching Diverse Learners in STEM” — A National Science Foundation IUSE grant , $299,967 (PI: Cessna, Co-PIs: Kishbaugh, Leaman, Lepley, Showalter) 2016
• Outstanding Associate Editor , 2014, Natural Sciences Education
• “Sustaining Organic Blueberry Production: Analysis of Practices and Assessing Outcomes” — A USDA Block Grant through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (PI: Roman Miller , Co-PIs: Kishbaugh and Cessna ) $26,300, 2011
• “Promoting learning through authentic and relevant research experiences in environmental monitoring and remediation across ten chemistry and biology laboratory courses” — A National Science Foundation – CCLI grant (PI: Cessna, Co-PIs: Kishbaugh, Neufeld, Siderhurst and Leaman) $137,932; 5/09
• “Acquisition of Instrumentation to Support Integrated Research and Teaching in Interdisciplinary Environmental Plant Biology” — A National Science Foundation – Major Research Instrumentation grant (PI: Cessna; CoPI: Yoder) $103,130; 9/08
• “A sabbatical to investigate the relationships of protective measures against excess light, antioxidants, defense signals, and drought stress in plants” – A United States Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative, Agricultural Research Enhancement Award. $67,000; 5/07
• “LEEF for EMU” – A grant from LiCor , manufacturers of instrumentation for plant/crop assessment. $25,000 3/07 and 1/08
• “REU: Shenandoah Valley Molecular Biology” A National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, in collaboration with the biology departments at James Madison University and Bridgewater College. (PI: Rife; Co-PIs: Monroe, Temple; Co-administrators: Cessna and Puffenbarger) $216,000; 2/07-1/10.
• “Reactive oxygen production during salinity tolerance responses in tobacco cells: Relationship to Ca2+ fluxes” – A Jeffress Research Grant from the Thomas F. and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust: Cessna SG $30,000; 1/02; First renewal: $10,000; 1/03; Second renewal: $10,000; 1/04

(2020/21)

• Council on Undergraduate Research
• American Chemical Society
• AAAS

(2024/25)

• Committee on Teacher Education (including the TEAC subcommittee)
• Pre-Professional Health Sciences Advisors Committee
• Undergraduate Core Revision Committee
• SEAN CRC member