Montgomery is a broadly trained animal developmental biologist. She teaches
introductory courses in Cell Biology and Genetics and more advanced courses such as
Developmental Biology and Research in Molecular Genetics.
She has made a concerted effort to include more evolutionary theory into the introductory
level courses and has taught an upper level seminar on Molecular Evolution. Through
courses such as Biotechnology and Society, she and her students have explored a range of
bioethical issues such as gene therapy, embryonic stem cell research and genetically
modified crops.
Her research has contributed to an understanding of how the introduction of
double-stranded RNA into cells can silence expression of specific genes. More recently
she has become interested in the field of evolutionary developmental biology and in
understanding the molecular basis of how cells of the early embryo acquire their fates.
Students continue to be involved in her research, from designing experiments to
communicating the results through publications and presentations at regional and national
meetings.
EDUCATION: B.A., Immaculata College Ph.D., University of Southern California Post-Doc,
Carneigie Institution of Washington
Montgomery has been teaching at Macalester since 1998.
Articles
Contributions to Books
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