Dr. R. David Bynum

Dr. R. David Bynum received his doctorate from Dartmouth College, NH in 1981 and joined Stony Brook the following year as an Assistant Professor and Director of Microbiology Laboratories.

Dr. Bynum founded LIGASE in 1995 to improve science education opportunities at all levels. He has received numerous awards for his work, including most recently the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service and the President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity & Affirmative Action. Dr. Bynum's national honors include the American Society for Cell Biology, Bruce Alberts Award for Outstanding Contributions to Science Education and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

Accomplishments include the following:  

• received over 14M $ in external funding to promote science education;  
• designed, remodeled and created a suite of six modern molecular biology laboratories;
• developed 14  new undergraduate and graduate biology courses;  
• created partnerships between Stony Brook University, high schools and community colleges;
• developed research and education opportunities for over 1000 high school, community college and university students, and in-service teachers;
• operated summer programs for middle, high school and university students,
• developed programs to encourage underrepresented students to pursue science careers;
• designed a masters degree in biology teaching program that is now the largest graduate education program on campus;
• directed a Biotechnology Teaching Center that has brought over 40,000 middle and high school students on campus to perform techniques in biotechnology;
• received campus, statewide and national recognition for achievements 

In 2007, he incorporated mathematics education into his work by becoming the founding director of Stony Brook’s new Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CESAME).  The timely creation of the Center resonated with the growing national awareness, and need, to improve science and mathematics education.  The Center now graduates more than fifty students a year with masters degrees in teaching these subjects.

Research Interests:

Contact Information: 

R. David Bynum, Professor,

Biochemistry and Cell Biology

094 Life Sciences Bldg.

Stony Brook, NY 11794-5215

E-Mail: R.Bynum@sunysb.edu
Phone: 631-632-9750

Web page: http://www.stonybrook.edu/cesame/about/faculty_staff/Bynum/Bynum.html