Coordinators for the Natural Sciences Ph.D. Program


The Natural Sciences discipline coordinators are the policy making body for Natural Sciences Ph.D. studies at the campus level. The Coordinators represent the disciplines participating in the Natural Sciences Ph.D. program.

Coordinator Meeting Times

Meetings are held approximately once per month during the active semester, and as necessary otherwise.

The Coordinators' first official meeting, after program transitions were completed in early 2024, was held September 23, 2024.

Coordinator Responsibilities

  • Monitor and reviews goals of the Natural Sciences Ph.D. program and recommends major changes in goals, policies and procedures to the Doctoral Faculty for final approval.
  • Monitor the quality of the Natural Sciences Ph.D. program and its implementation by means of periodic reviews based on reports from existing bodies, councils, committees, and external reviewers.
  • Recommend to the Graduate Council and Research Board, policies and criteria as needed.
  • Review other policy matters as required.

Coordinator Directory

Dr. An-Lin Cheng Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Biomedical and Health Informatics Email: informatics@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-1870

Dr. Karyn Turla Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Cell Biology and Biophysics Email: turlak@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-6404

Dr. David Van Horn Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Chemistry Email: vanhornj@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-6327

Dr. Fengpeng Sun Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Geosciences Email: sunf@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-2973

Dr. Liana Sega Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Mathematics Email: segal@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-6254

Dr. Karyn Turla Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Email: turlak@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-6404

Dr. Mary Walker Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Email: walkermp@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-2825

Dr. Kun Cheng Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Pharmaceutical Sciences Email: chengkun@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-2425

Dr. Gerald Wyckoff Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Pharmacology Email: wyckoffg@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-1962

Dr. Paul Rulis Natural Sciences Ph.D. Coordinator: Physics Email: rulisp@umkc.edu Phone: 816-235-5223