Zoology professor Donald French has been elected the 2012 president of the National Association of Biology Teachers.

“I am honored and extremely proud to be serving as NABT’s president-elect,” said French. “We have a great association who is committed to empowering educators to provide the best possible life science education for all students by encouraging research and the dissemination of best practices based on research.”

At OSU, French is the coordinator of the Certificate in University Faculty Preparation Program. He also coordinates and teaches the introductory biology course, as well as graduate courses. His research focuses on teaching and learning of biology at the undergraduate level, and has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Environmental Protection Agency. He has published more than 30 articles in books and journals, and offered 170 presentations and workshops. He will officially join the NABT Board of Directors on Jan. 1, 2011, serving as president- elect.

Photo: Donald French coordinates and teaches the introductory biology course at OSU. More than 1,600 students enrolll in the course each schoolyear.