Steven Fenster is an associate professor in the Department of Biology and Toxicology. He is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego (1991) and earned his doctorate in Cell Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2000). His dissertation research resulted in the discovery and characterization of a novel brain protein called Piccolo now shown to be critical for nervous system development. As a post-doctoral research fellow in the Department of Developmental Neurobiology at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, he employed genetically engineered mice as models to study autism and pediatric brain cancer. His research demonstrated the effective use of a commonly used anti-epileptic drug as a potential treatment for brain cancer. In addition, he investigated the genetic basis of Rett Syndrome, a leading cause of autism in girls. He currently studies a brain-specific protein called neuronal interleukin-16, a cytokine precursor molecule, that is believe to regulate neuronal cell signaling. Prior to entering graduate school, he worked as a research technician at The Agouron Institute in La Jolla, California where he help to develop pre-clinical approaches targeted against HIV. He has also served as adjunct professor at Birmingham-Southern College and spent a year as a visiting professor at The College of Wooster. In his current position, he teaches Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Human Biology, and Introduction to Biotechnology. He is also director of the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program, a member of Faculty Senate, and a member of the College Symposium Committee and Professional Development Committee.
In his spare time, Dr. Fenster enjoys competing in running races, bicycling, and hiking.
Education:| University of Alabama-Birmingham | Cell Biology | Ph.D, 2000 |
| University of California-San Diego | Biology | B.S. 1991 |
| Associate Professor of Biology (as of July 2011) | Ashland University | 2006-present |
| Visiting Assistant Professor | The College of Wooster | 2005-2006 |
| Post-Doctoral Fellow | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | 2003-2005 |
| Research Associate | University of Alabama-Birmingham | 2001-2003 |
| Post-Doctoral Fellow | University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill | 2000-2001 |
| Adjunct Professor | Birmingham-Southern University | 2000-2003 |