Science Faculty & Staff

The Science Department is staffed by full-time faculty, a Laboratory Safety Officer, a STEM Special Programs Coordinator and a Natural Resource Special Programs Coordinator who oversees the Outdoor Learning Lab and GCC Meadow Farm Garden. In addition, a diverse group of adjunct faculty teach many of the science department classes and labs. These adjuncts have tremendous expertise and depth in their fields of study and bring an exceptional level of knowledge and professionalism to the department.

Full-time Faculty & Staff

Trish Basford

Faculty, Department Chair

Science

A.S., Schenectady County Community College
B.S., SUNY – College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Ph.D., Western Michigan University

S409 1-413-775-1862

Trisha Basford teaches General Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry I and II. She is also Co-Chair of the Science Department. Trish has an undergraduate degree in environmental chemistry from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a doctorate in Chemistry (concentration in Biochemistry) from Western Michigan University, as well as a degree in culinary arts from Schenectady County Community College.

Amy Ehmann B.S., M.S., Pennsylvania State University

Faculty, Department Chair

Engineering

B.S., University of Massachusetts–Lowell
B.S., M.S., Pennsylvania State University

S419E 1-413-775-1172

Amanda Hyde

Faculty

Science

B.S., Muskingum College
M.S., University of Nevada Reno

S414 1-413-775-1450

Amanda Hyde teaches Biology 126 and 127 and joined us in the summer of 2012. She received her B.S. in Biology from Muskingum College in Ohio and her M.S. in Biology from the University of Nevada in Reno. Some of her graduate research included studies of behavioral ecology in her favorite charismatic microfauna (kangaroo rats) and megafauna (bighorn sheep). When not teaching she can be found (depending on the weather) either knitting, spinning and weaving or hiking, skiing and biking.

Ted Johnson

Faculty

Engineering

B.S., Northeastern University
M.Ed., Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

S419D 1-413-775-1429

Ted Johnson teaches Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology as well as coordinates the Engineering program. He has a BS in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Science Education, 12 years of engineering experience, and several decades of teaching experience. He brings experience in solar building design, amateur radio work, computer applications, artificial intelligence and vision work, and engineering experience in meteorological weather balloons, piezoelectric transducer design and fabrication, resinate deposition based ceramic microcircuits, commercial radio transmitters and repeaters, antenna design, as well as business experience as an industrial process consultant and troubleshooter. He has taught courses in electronic circuit design, both analog and digital, most programming languages, robotics – motion and vision, several levels of physics – classical and modern, electrical wiring, astronomy, meteorology, and industrial electronic control systems. His work experience includes Raytheon, Sprague Electric, US Sonics Corp, General Electric, Mount Anthony Vocational Center, Vermont Department of Labor and Industry, Berkshire Community College, Westfield State College, Community College of Vermont and Greenfield Community College.

Susan Markush

Faculty

Science

B.S., Nova Southeastern University
M.Ed., Harvard University
P.A., Nova Southeastern University

S410 1-413-775-1156

Susan Markush teaches Anatomy and Physiology and Lifestyle, Health and Medicine. She received her Physician’s Assistant (PA) degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida and her Master’s in Science Education from Harvard University. Before teaching, she was an emergency room PA and the Health Director for Head Start.

Deidre Murphy

Senior Special Programs Coordinator for the STEM Starter Academy Grant

Academic Affairs

S419B 1-413-775-1459

Jennifer Williams

Faculty

Science

B.S., University of Rhode Island
Ph.D., University of Minnesota

S419A 1-413-775-1454