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Danielle Taylor

Faculty Member

Dr. Dani Taylor

Biography

I have been teaching at UVU since 2016. I have taught courses in Cell Biology, College Biology I, Histology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Student Seminar, in addition to College Biology I Labs and Physiology Labs. I completed an NIH-funded postdoctoral IRACDA fellowship that focused on formal pedagogical training in addition to neuroscience research. I believe my role as an instructor is to help students not only find their passion but also to make significant learning gains in my courses to help them succeed in the rest of their college careers and beyond. I encourage students to engage in the material as well as with each other in the classroom and gain confidence in applying their gained knowledge to solve real-world problems or think in different ways.

I also support undergraduate research and currently have multiple projects underway_ (1) Investigations of Alzheimer’s Disease using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. (2) Investigations of Angelman Syndrome using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism and employing pharmacological interventions for resulting epilepsy. (3) Investigations of sub-lethal levels of the pesticide imidacloprid using Apis mellifera and Drosophila melanogaster as model organisms while looking at the effects in wing muscle mitochondria as well as serotonergic fibers in the bee gut.

Education

Ph D, Arizona State University, 2014

Major: Neuroscience

BS, Arizona State University_ Barrett Honors College, 2009

Major: Psychology, Physiological focus

Teaching

BIOL 3400

Cell Biology, Spring 2023

ZOOL 4300

Histology, Spring 2023

Presentations

Dao, Vy (Presenter & Author), Dou, Rachel (Presenter & Author), Taylor, Devin (Author Only), Taylor, Dani (Author Only), 2023 SCULPT Showcase, "Effects of an Omega-3 supplemented diet on learning and memory of Drosophila melanogaster in a model of Alzheimer’s Disease", Utah Valley University, Utah Valley University SB Atrium. (April 4, 2023)
Moore, Madeline (Presenter & Author), Taylor, Dani (Author Only), The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) 2022 Annual Meeting, "Epileptic activity in Drosophila melanogaster with a knockdown of Ube3a in different neuronal populations as a model of Angelman Syndrome", The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), Washington, D.C.. (December, 2022)
Moore, Madeline (Presenter & Author), Taylor, Dani (Author Only), 2022 Neuroscience Snowbird Symposium_ "Neural Plasticity_ Synapses to Circuits to Behavior", "Effects of valproate on epileptic episodes in Drosophila melanogaster with a knockdown of Ube3a in different types of neurons as a model of Angelman Syndrome.", University of Utah & Society of Neuroscience (SfN), Snowbird, Utah. (October 28, 2022)
Moore, Madeline (Presenter & Author), Taylor, Dani (Author Only), 14th Annual JATC/SLCC Biotechnology Poster Symposium, "Effects of Valproate on epileptic episodes in Drosophila melanogaster with a knockdown of Ube3a in different types of neurons as a model of Angelman Syndrome ​ ​", Salt Lake Community College, Jordan Health Sciences Center; West Jordan, UT. (May 13, 2022)
Thelin, Holly (Presenter & Author), Taylor, Dani (Author Only), Dept. of Biology Colloquium, "Effects of the Pesticide Imidacloprid on Wing Muscle Tissue in Drosophila melanogaster", Utah Valley University. (April 27, 2022)
Moore, Madeline (Presenter & Author), Taylor, Dani (Author Only), Dept. of Biology Colloquium, "Effects of Valproate on epileptic episodes in Drosophila melanogaster with a knockdown of Ube3a in different types of neurons as a model of Angelman Syndrome", Utah Valley University. (April 27, 2022)

Awards

Wolverine Sighting

Utah Valley University - May 12, 2023

I received a Wolverine Sighting Award for my work with the Microscopy Facility in helping Botany with their microscopes.

Educator of the Year

Utah Valley University - October 5, 2022

This award is presented to the full-time faculty member who has demonstrated academic excellence, exceptional teaching style, and dedication to students in and out of the classroom. The recipient of this award has profoundly enhanced the learning environment at UVU.

Faculty Excellence Award

Utah Valley University - March 18, 2022

The purpose of the Faculty Senate Faculty Excellence Award is to recognize full-time and adjunct faculty who have made significant contributions to UVU's mission through demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.