Jonathan Miles, PhD

Education

BS Biology & Chemistry, Elmhurst College
MS Biomedical Studies, Baylor University
PhD Biomedical Studies, Baylor University

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Biology Courses

• BIO 1305 Modern Concepts of Bioscience I
• BIO 1306 Modern Concepts of Bioscience II
• BIO 2306 Genetics
• BIO 3100 Seminar in Biology: Anatomy of a Superhero
• BIO 3312 Animal Nutrition
• BIO 3322 Human Physiology
• BIO 3342 Molecular Cell Biology
• BIO 3429 Comparative Chordate Anatomy

Biography

Jonathan Miles is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology at Baylor University. He teaches across the undergraduate biology curriculum, including the freshman biology sequence, Genetics, Molecular Cell Biology, Comparative Chordate Anatomy, Animal Nutrition, Human Physiology, and Biology Seminar.

Jonathan's teaching emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and connections among biological disciplines. He is particularly interested in helping students apply biological concepts to unfamiliar problems and recognize biology as an interconnected framework for understanding the living world.

In his Biology Seminar, Anatomy of a Superhero, students investigate superpowers that interest them and explore biological mechanisms and real-world examples that might explain how such abilities could exist. Through this process, students conduct research and apply concepts from anatomy, physiology, evolution, and comparative biology while Jonathan mentors them in evaluating the scientific plausibility of extraordinary abilities.

Jonathan is also interested in innovative approaches to biology education and in helping students develop the scientific and digital literacy necessary to critically evaluate information and emerging technologies.

Research Interest

• Cellular & Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• RNA Silencing & Interference

Publications & Presentations

• Morel Christine R; Horton Joshua M; Peng Han; Xu Kangling; Batra Sushil; Miles Jonathan P; Kane Robert R. History of the biomedical studies PhD program: a joint graduate program of the Baylor Health Care System and Baylor University. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2008;21(4):403–10.
• Miles J, VanHouten J, Aderinto A, and Lee M. Proteasome subunit genes linked to C. elegans sterility. Lost Pines Conference, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, Nov 2-4, 2007.
• Miles J, Rongali SC, Batra S, and Lee M. Depletion of protein synthesis genes cause sterility. Poster #845C, 16th International C. elegans Meeting, University of California, Los Angeles, California, Jun 27-Jul 1, 2007.
• Rongali SC, Miles J, Batra S, and Lee M. Identification of germ and somatic cell specific genes essential for ovulation in C. elegans. Poster #819A, 16th International C. elegans Meeting, University of California, Los Angeles, California, Jun 27-Jul 1, 2007.
• Batra S, Baker E, Miles J, and Lee M. Identification of RNAi-associated phenotypes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Poster #832B, 16th International C. elegans Meeting, University of California, Los Angeles, California, Jun 27-Jul 1, 2007.
• Xu Xiaojian; Rongali Sharath C; Miles Jonathan P; Lee Kap Duk; Lee Myeongwoo. pat-4/ILK and unc-112/Mig-2 are required for gonad function in Caenorhabditis elegans. Experimental Cell Research 2006;312:1475-83.
• Miles J, and Lee M. Genes affecting the fertility of Caenorhabditis elegans. Poster #257, C. elegans Development & Evolution Meeting, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, June 22-25, 2006.
• Xu X, Rongali S, Miles J, Shih H, Davis J, Tang M, and Lee M. Integrin signaling controls ovulation via IP3 signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans. Poster #221, Lost Pines Conference, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, Oct 21-23, 2005.
• Deever Daniel B; Young Robert S; Wang Shengjun; Bradshaw Beth A; Miles Jonathan; Pettis Christopher R; Witten Mark L. Changes in organ perfusion and weight ratios in post-simulated microgravity recovery. Acta astronautica 2002;50(7):445-52.
• Deever Daniel B; Young Robert S; Wang Shengjun; Bradshaw Beth A; Miles Jonathan; Pettis Christopher R; Gross C; Witten Mark L. Changes in organ perfusion and organ/body weight ratios in a simulated microgravity model. FASEB J. 1999 Mar 12; 13: A406.