Oct. 5, 2009

Faculty member has chapter published in book

Dr. William Heyborne, assistant professor of biology at Morningside College, recently had a chapter published in the book “Handbook of Venoms and Toxins of Reptiles.” 

Heyborne co-wrote chapter 16 titled “Cysteine-Rich Secretory Proteins in Reptile Venoms.”  Reptile venoms are a specialty of Heyborne’s.  He completed his Ph.D. on this subject. 

This book examines and explains venomous reptiles and the biology of venoms.  Furthermore, the differences between venoms, the way venom is delivered, and the effects of venom on humans are explained.  

Heyborne has been at Morningside since 2007. His research interests include many aspects of community ecology, including predator-prey interactions and biodiversity. His research endeavors have included work in the biological roles of snake and spider venoms, insect community ecology, forest entomology, and reptile and amphibian natural history.

Heyborne received a bachelor’s degree in biology and zoology from Southern Utah University in 1997, a master’s degree in entomology from Oregon State University in 2000, and a doctorate in biological education from Northern Colorado in 2007.