Dr. Sherry V. Story – Chair of the Natural Sciences Department
Dr. Story holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Fort Valley State University, an M.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Georgia. I began teaching at Emmanuel College in 2004 after completing a post-doctoral fellowship in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Georgia.
As a teacher, it is my goal to motivate students in such a way that they are eager to learn when they step into the classroom. The main purpose of education is the process of learning. I believe that it is my job not only to teach students the concepts of chemistry and biochemistry, but I believe in sharing my life experiences and my testimony of faith with them as encouragement to overcome the challenges they may face outside of the classroom.
I love learning and being creative. I am the owner of S. V. Story Photography which has been in business since 2001. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to photograph many weddings and events. A year ago, I launched my fashion designing business, S. V. Designs. I enjoy creating and sewing clothing that are unique and fashionable. I serve as an ordained minister at my local church. My hobbies include, fishing, reading, and cooking.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Dr. Jonathan Howell – Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Jonathan Howell completed a BS in Zoology at UGA in 1995. Following his undergraduate program, he worked as a certified pharmacy technician for 1 year before beginning graduate work at McNeese State University in Louisiana. Here he studied environmental mercury in the soil, completed a MS in Environmental Science, and (most importantly) met his wife. Immediately upon graduation from MSU, Dr. Howell began working on his Ph.D. in Ecology at Old Dominion University in Virginia, which he completed in 2009 after an extended study of fungus-growing ants. During his time in Virginia, he taught at multiple physically and virtual universities, including Regent University, and had the pleasure of welcoming his only child into the world.
Emmanuel has provided Dr. Howell with the opportunity to combine his love of the natural world with his love of Christ and demonstrate how the two might be united. During his first 5 years at EC, he has been able to act as a mentor to students and fellow faculty, and he has been a dependable (if not athletic) teammate in intramural sports. Dr. Howell is also an active spectator at as many Lions events as he can attend, and he was recently allowed to serve as the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) for the school.
Dr. Oscar Gonzalez
Dr. Oscar earned a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology at the University of Florida, an M.Sc. in Tropical Biodiversity Management at the Universidad San Pablo CEU of Spain, another M.Sc. in Zoology at the Universidad San Marcos of Peru, and a BSc. in Biology at the Universidad Agraria La Molina in Peru; his native country. He also did postdoctoral research in hummingbird ecology at the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo in Mexico.
Dr. Oscar is a member of the American Scientific Affiliation, the American Ornithologist Union, the Neotropical Ornithological Society, and other scientific societies. He serves on the advisory board of the BioLogos Foundation and as vice-president of Grupo Aves del Peru. His research interests are bird ecology and conservation, and the positive interaction between science and faith. He has published books and up to 40 research papers in peer-review journals. Dr. Oscar is grateful for the opportunity to teach at Emmanuel College, where faith and learning can be integrated. As an Ecologist and a Christian, he gets inspiration in the web of nature to worship while teaching Principles of Biology II, Zoology or Ecology. His research can be seen at this web page https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Oscar_Gonzalez26
Favorite Scripture: “Look at the birds of the air…” (Matthew 6:26)
Dr. Andreas Copan
Dr. Oliver Shey Nijila
Oliver Shey Njila hails from the western highlands of the Cameroons. He received his BSc in Animal Science from the University of Dschang, Cameroon and MSc in Tropical Animal Health and Production from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. He served for six years as a livestock development officer for Heifer International Cameroon and later as Livestock Specialist with the United Nations Development Program in the Cameroons. He is dedicated to volunteering and serving the needy as Christ leads.
Shey earned his doctorate from the University of Georgia in infectious diseases where he studied the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cation transporting protein B (CtpB) in metal transport. His research prospects are to apply his knowledge of molecular biology and bacteriology to combat infectious diseases through the dissection of pathogenic mechanisms and development of effective vaccines, therapies, or diagnostics.
Shey enjoys college teaching and mentoring and counts it a blessing from God to join the Emmanuel College Community. He is excited with the opportunity to integrate his Christian beliefs in the teaching of Biology and Molecular Genetics at Emmanuel College.
ADJUNCT PROFESSORS
Ashley Exendine
Mrs. Exendine joined Emmanuel College as an online adjunct faculty in 2013. As a daughter of a high school biology teacher, her passion for learning science and gaining a deeper understanding of the Lord’s creation started at a young age. She first felt the pull of education as she led an interpretive nature hike for Boy Scouts at the age of 10 and this desire to educate others bloomed into the pursuit of study in biology and conservation education science. Along the way, the Lord has blessed her with numerous opportunities to work with various students. She has had the blessing of working with students and teachers at a prestigious wildlife refuge as she pursued her Master’s degree, followed by the opportunity to teach students at both the high school and college level.
“I feel immensely blessed by the opportunity to be a part of the spiritual and intellectual development of the incredible students of Emmanuel College! My prayer is that the Lord would lead me to teach with wisdom, to share the truth, and to teach with vision to prepare students to be effective servants in God’s Kingdom.”
Favorite Scripture
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Psalms 19:1
