Michelle Whaley

Michelle Whaley, Ph.D. is a teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. Whaley’s research is currently focused on the characterization of Aedes aegypti visual genes and how gene expression may affect mosquito behavior. Many undergraduates have participated in this research in the past. Her previous work was in the visual system of Drosophila, and she still uses this system to study mosquito genes in transgenic flies. Whaley’s Ph.D. work characterized a gene involved in Drosophila visual system development that when mutant, causes adult retinal degeneration. All her research is done in collaboration with Dr. Joseph O‘Tousa.

Whaley’s teaching focuses on developing critical thinking and research skills in students early in their careers. She teaches two research-based courses: Classical and Molecular Genetics Laboratory which is a 2-credit semester-long research project, Cell Research which is a 2-credit independent study research course. She also teaches the second semester Introductory Biology lecture course, Molecules to Ecosystems (M2E). In this course, she heads the Mastery Program to help all introductory biology students succeed regardless of their level of high school preparation. She co-directs the summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) program in the Biology Department. She is the faculty coordinator of the Undergraduate Research program and the Alumni Mentor program in biology. Whaley thoroughly enjoys working with students and seeks to engage them as partners in their learning, and in research and leadership, to help them reach their full potential.