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tidy tips
Tidy Tips on a walk along Sweeney Ridge, near Skyline College.

Christine L. Case, Ed.D.
Biology Professor
Skyline College

"I bet your house is really clean, how do you clean it?" This is usually the first question people ask when they find out I'm a microbiologist. (I don't try to eliminate all microbes.) I always liked nature and science and especially enjoyed my first course in microbiology. Playing medical detective and identifying those unknowns was exciting and challenging. However, I wasn't sure I could suppress my love of the outdoors for eight hours every day to work in a clinical lab. Two professors at San Francisco State University showed me that I could combine my interest in the environment and microbiology. Dr. Katherine Middleton Brock, General Microbiology, worked on cellulose-degrading bacteria and thermophiles and Dr. Hideo Yonenaka, Marine Microbiology, introduced me to my research: Bacterial Degradation of Detergents.

My first job in science was looking for antimicrobial activity in plant chemicals at the USDA-Western Regional Research Lab. I had the good fortune to work with top-notch scientists including a terrific role model and mentor, Dr. Doug King, and Dr. Leo Kline during his discovery of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis (sourdough bread). Although I enjoyed that job and learned a great deal...I knew I wanted to teach and accepted a position at Skyline College.

You can get an idea about my research interests from looking at my students' projects.

As Lewis Thomas said the biologic sciences are "absolutely splendid." And, helping others learn about Nature's wonders and prepare for their future is a remarkable opportunity.

I previously served as a Director of the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. During my career at Skyline, I founded and co-chair Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science, an annual conference for 6th through 12th grade girls held at Skyline College. I have been President of the Skyline College Academic Senate and Principal Investigator of several projects. At present, I am an advisor to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I was honored to receive the California Hayward Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Northern California American Society for Microbiology Award for Excellence in Education, the Phi Theta Kappa Mosal Award, and the SACNAS Community/Tribal College Mentor Award.

In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors and photography (I took the photographs that appear on my web site).
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San Francisco State University, B. A., M.A.
University of Kansas, Radiation Biophysics Certificate
Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University

Teaching during a pandemic

Print Publications

On-line articles

Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science

ΦΘΚ Honor Society

 

Professional Organizations

Society for Industrial Microbiology (SIM)-Elected Director, 1996-1999

Registered Microbiologist, American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Sigma Xi scientific research society

Association of Biology Laboratory Educators

Northern California Biotechnology Center

Northern California SIM-Elected President, 1990-1991, Elected Director, 1993-1995

Northern California ASM-Committee chair, 1995-1997

National Bioscience Skills Project, core team member, 1994-95

   
 

Recipient, Bank of America Foundation Local Heroes Award. 2011.
Recipient of Ruby Award, Soroptimist International. 2011.
Distinguished Community College Mentor Award, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, 2008.
Phi Theta Kappa Mosal Award, 2004; Outstanding Advisor, 2014, 2009, 2007. Paragon advisors award, 2001, 2002.
California Community College Hayward Excellence in Teaching Award, 2001.
Community College Outstanding Faculty Award, NCASM, 1997.
American Society for Microbiology (ASM)—Visiting scientist (at North Carolina Central University), 1996.
Special Service Award for Outstanding Commitment to Skyline College, 1994-95.
American Association for Higher Education, invited to Forum on exemplary teaching, 1994.
Recipient of Women-Helping-Women Award, Soroptimist International. 1992.
Recipient Girls Scouts DAISY award. 1992.
 

NIH–Bridges to the Baccalaureate and Bridges to the Doctorate reviewer, 2012.
Responded to Ask the Author questions at www.microbiologyplace.com. 2000-2004.
NSF-Advanced Technological Education Curriculum Development, visiting team member 1996.
Biotechnology panel member. Santa Clara Country Economic Development Agency 1995.
Authored Postsecondary Bioscience Curriculum Guidelines. Boston: Education Development Center 1995.
American Society for Microbiology , visiting scientist at North Carolina Central University, 1995
 

Every summer and throughout the academic year I volunteer to mentor students who want to do independent research. Several of my students present their original research annually at scientific meetings each year. My student’s projects are listed at
http://accounts.smccd.edu/case/biol690/research.html
http://accounts.smccd.edu/case/biol690/sacnas.html
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Advisor, Skyline College chapter, 1999—present. (Distinguished chapter 14 times).
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Print Publications

Textbooks
Tortora, G., B. Funke, and C. L. Case. Microbiology: An Introduction. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Publishing Co., currently in the 12th edition, 2016.

Johnson, T.R. and C. L. Case. Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Publishing Co., currently in the 11th edition, 2016.

_____. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology, San Francisco, CA:Pearson Publishing Co., currently in the 11th edition, 2016.

Case, C. L. Telecourse Guide for Unseen Life on Earth. Menlo Park, CA: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., 1999.

_____. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Microbiology: An Introduction 1åœå11e. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Publishing Co.

_____. Microbiology: Interactive Student Tutorial, CD, 3.0. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., 2004.
 

Articles
Case, C.L. "Myths…ulcers." Strategies for Success, Spring 2002. pdf

Case, C.L. "To vaccinator or not...." Strategies for Success, Fall 2001.

Chung, K-T. and C. L. Case. "Sergei Winogradsky," SIM News 51(3):133-135, MayJune 2001. pdf

Case, C.L. and M. Warner. "A Model for Undergraduate Research: Antimicrobial Properties of a Red Alga." Journal of College Science Teaching, 30 (4):244-246. Dec 2000/Jan 2001.

Case, C.L. "Students can practice genetic translations in groups (The origin of HIV)." Strategies for Success, Fall 2000.

Case, C.L. "Clinical Problem Solving on the Web: a mysterious respiratory illness." Strategies for Success, Spring 2000.

Case, C.L. "Case Histories: An effective technique for the nonmajor." Strategies for Success, Winter 2000.

Case, C.L. "Human Rabies: A Case History." Strategies for Success, Fall 1999.

Case, C.L. "Web Pages Provide A New Tool to Help Students Observe." Strategies for Success, Spring 1999.

Case, C. L. "AIDS Awareness in Community College Students." ASM Focus on Education, Spring1999.

Case, C. L and R. Schwartz. "Society for Industrial Microbiology," In M. C. Flickinger and S. W. Drew (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Bioprocess Technology, pp. 2120-2124. John Wiley, 1999.

Case, C. L. "Molecular Techiques Used to Control Emerging Infectious Diseases." Strategies for Success, Winter 1999.

Chung, K-T. and C. L. Case. "Albert Jan Kluyver," SIM News 48(6):267-268, Nov/Dec, 1998.

C. L. Case. "Reduced Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to Vancomycin." Strategies for Success, Fall 1998.

C. L. Case. "Writing Case Histories." Strategies for Success, Spring 1998, No. 98, p. 4.

Bennett, J., F. Heller, and C. L. Case. "Bio-tech-nol-o-gy, n," SIM News, Sept/Oct 1997.

Case, C. L. "Q fever," Strategies for Success, Fall 1997.

Chung, K-T. and C. L. Case. "Joseph Lister and aseptic surgery," SIM News 47(6):286-289.

_____. "Semmelweis: A lesson in epidemiology," SIM News 47(5):234-237.

Case, C. L. and K.-T. Chung. "Montagu and Jenner," SIM News 47(2):58-60, March/April 1997.

_____. "Antony van Leeuwenhoek," SIM News 47(1):12-13, Jan./Feb1997.

Case, C. L. "Problem based learning: cryptosporidiosis," Strategies for Success, Spring 1997.

_____. "Human ehrlichiosis and PCR," Strategies for Success, Winter 1996.

_____. "Problem based learning: malaria," Strategies for Success, Fall 1996.

_____. "New and old tick-borne diseases," Strategies for Success, Spring 1996.

_____. "Laboratory safety: a challenge and an opportunity. ASM Focus on Microbiology Education 3:4-6, Fall 1996.

_____. Postsecondary Bioscience Curriculum Guidelines. Boston MA: Education Development Center, 1995.

_____, ed. MMWR Update, Redwood City, CA: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., 1994-1995.

_____. "Laboratory safety," ASM Focus on Microbiology Education 1:3-5, Spring 1995.

_____. "Diphtheria Epidemic-New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union," Strategies for Success, Fall 1995.

_____. "Multistate Outbreak of Viral Gastroenteritis Associated with Consumption of Oysters," Strategies for Success, Spring 1995.

_____. Instructor's guide for Principles of Cell Biology. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.

_____. Study guide for Principles of Cell Biology. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.

_____. "Cryptosporidium Infections Associated with Swimming Pools," Strategies for Success, Winter 1995.

_____. "Tuberculosis: A lesson in history , evolution, and ethics," Strategies for Success, Spring 1994.

_____. "Nosocomial infection," Strategies for Success, Fall 1994.

_____."Bioethics," NCSIM Newsletter 6(1). Fall 1993.

_____. "Microbiology in Middle and High Schools," ASM News 59(3):102-109. March 1993.

_____. "Expanding Your Horizons," Strategies for Success, Spring 1993.

_____. "Critical Thinking Problems." Strategies for Success, Spring 1992.

_____. "Inspiración," Strategies for Success, No. 7, 1991.

Case, C. L. and G. Lau. "Teaching Strategies for the Multicultural/Multilingual Classroom," Strategies for Success, No. 6, 1991.

Case, C. L. "Viruses and geometry," The Science Teacher , pp 28-31, Feb., 1991.

_____. "Using blood, saliva, and other body fluids in biology laboratory experiments," Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, vol. 12, Proceedings American Biology Laboratory Educator Annual Meeting, 1990.

_____. "What is biotechnology?" American Biology Teacher 52(6): 376-378, 1990.

_____. Biology Laboratory Safety Manual. ERIC Document ED 306 104, 1989.

_____. Sweeney Ridge Hiking Trails. Skyline College, 1989.

Case, C. L. and G. W. Goth. Transfer Science Students: A 17–year follow–up. ERIC Document ED 283 560, 1987.

King, A.D., H, G. Bayne, L. Jurd, C. L. Case. Antimicrobial Properties of Natural Phenols and Related Compounds: Obtusastyrene and Dihydro-Obtusastyrene. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1(3):: 263-267.

Publications before 1990 by request.

 

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Selected papers delivered
"Emerging Infectious Diseases."
Phi Theta Kappa, 2002.

"Water & California’s Future."
Phi Theta Kappa Honor’s Institute, 2000.

"Industrial Microbiology."
Genencor. Summer 1999.

"Hands-on experiments in microbiology."
National Science Teachers Annual Meeting, March 1999.

"Drug Discovery."
Strategies for Success Workshop, November 1998.

"Experiments in environmental microbiology."
California Science Teachers Annual Meeting, Sept 1996.

"Safety in the Microbiology Laboratory,"
American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, 1994.
Some online articles I've written

Fermentation & Human History

Handwashing (Access Excellence)

Articles on Chocolate, Beer, and Emerging Diseases

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