Dr. Jon Karpel is currently an Associate Professor of Biology and has been teaching at Southern Utah University since 2010. Dr. Karpel was formally trained as a molecular biologist at San Jose State University and the University of California, Davis, graduating with his Ph.D. in 2006. He has research experience with several different model organisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans, and he uses his extensive knowledge of the cell to enrich students’ understanding of how life works.

Dr. Karpel is a firm believer that students must have the correct mindset, and the grit, to succeed in college.  Dr. Karpel helps students realize that they can change their mindset regarding learning biology through the use of learning techniques such as Cell Biology Concepts, which helps frame the material in real-world application and extensive use of critical thinking and reflection. If students have the perseverance to stick with their learning, the payoff at the end of the semester will be tremendous and they can apply what they have learned for years to come.