Department of Science chair loves to dive into research with students

Though he wears hats as associate professor of both biology and physical therapy and as the Department of Science chair at Alvernia University, at the heart of everything Eric Recktenwald does is research. That, and his students. 

A graduate of Temple University with both a BS and Ph.D. in biology, Recktenwald is passionate about his studies involving neuroscience and animal behavior, especially in frogs as it translates to humans, and he brings that passion to students at Alvernia holding similar scientific curiosities. At any point in an undergraduate’s career at Alvernia, if they want to dive into research with Recktenwald, he’s game. Juniors and seniors specifically can join the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program that Recktenwald oversees. 

He's worked with Alvernia students to publish two professional research papers, opportunities he asserts as offering valuable first-hand biological research insights for budding professionals looking to gain insight about how the scientific process works. 

Unique to research at Alvernia is the relatively new Virtual Dissection Lab, equipped with four Anatomage tables, which replace a traditional human cadaver lab.

“Essentially four people donated their bodies to science upon their passing and every layer, every structure, was outlined and recreated and put into a digital form where students can interact with them, practicing dissection for study and later for testing," Recktenwald explained. "I can also project images from the tables onto screens to help in the teaching process."

Speak to Recktenwald about his work at Alvernia and you’ll no doubt feel his passion. He values his fellow faculty members and students as equals and believes the Alvernia community is a connected family.

“I’m always around. My door is always open,” he said. “This is where relationships develop and we work as servant leaders to inspire people.”

Recktenwald is also working with Department of Medical Science Chair and Physician Associate Program Director Renee Langstaff to teach students that will ultimately be the first to graduate with degrees in Alvernia’s new Physician Associate Program major. Students spend three years completing Biology program work before transitioning to Physician Association Program courses in their fourth year.

“Working with Dr. Recktenwald in SURF has been extremely beneficial," said biology laboratory science major Abigail Dietrich '24. "He provides a comfortable, informal environment in which to gain experience with little overall pressure, which is what I was after during my own SURF experience. He is flexible and understanding, and is always ready to help when needed. What he expected from me was always clear, so I could work to accomplish what I needed to with more efficiency than I could otherwise."