Donald Takeda

Mr. Takeda has seen many changes in the biological field and has incorporated these changes, where possible, into our curriculum.  He played a pivotal role in upgrading molecular-cellular biology, organismal biology and establishing our biotechnology program, which will provide unique opportunities for many of our students.  This program now includes such courses as Introduction to Biotechnology and Methods in Biotechnology; and includes a certificate component which will enable students with skills to access entry level positions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Besides dealing with the challenges in his subject area, Mr. Takeda has also provided oversight for a major remodel of biology classrooms and laboratories.  The last remodel included creation of a biotechnology laboratory, a dedicated computer laboratory and a greenhouse.  These newer and existing facilities are now comparable to any in the state.  Plans for an additional science building with more classrooms, laboratories and facilities are in the stages of preparation now.  His other primary challenge is one he shares with his wife Cindee --- raising their two children, Cameron and Phoebe.
 

Serratia marcescens is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, which are more commonly known as "enterics."  They are gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic rods.  Included in this family are the more familiar bacteria, Escherichia coli and food-borne Salmonella.

Epidemiologically, pigmentation can be a useful clue in the identification and distribution of an organism that causes a particular disease.  The acquisition of a color in organisms initially without pigmentation is often demonstrated in bacterial transformation exercises in molecular biology courses.  These exercises are the foundation for understanding gene splicing and the resultant recombinant DNA technology employed in biotechnology.