“You don’t have to love science—just be willing to engage, stay curious, and give yourself a fair chance.”
—Korey Byers
Hello! I’m Korey Byers (KB), but you can call me KB. I’m a hyper-focusing, fast talking, insect loving, biology teaching, perfectionist. I absolutely crave learning new information and find my joy in sharing what I know of the life sciences. I love what I do and what I teach and I hope to share excitement with my students.
You can generally find me starting a new project, reading near a pile of cats, working in the lab, wading through a stream, or aggressively braking along the highway to take a picture of a flower I thought looked neat.
What I Teach and Why
I’m an assistant professor in the science department at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO, where I teach human anatomy & physiology, general biology, and biomedical ethics.
My academic journey began at this very community college where I first encountered the challenge of wanting to learn more, wanting to be better, and wanting a great career, but never knowing the words to ask, how to find what I needed, or what was available to me! That experience continues to shape how I teach and design my courses: with flexibility, access, curiosity, intellectual structure, and a respect for students who are balancing full lives with their education.
My Academic Path
- Associate of Arts, Mineral Area College
- B.S. in Organismal, Ecological, & Evolutionary Biology, Southeast Missouri State University
- M.NSc. in Ecology & Evolution, SEMO
- Thesis: Weevils (Curculionidae) at White Rock Nature Preserve
- Graduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences Education, University of Florida
- Ph.D. in Health Professions Education (in progress), University of Evansville
I’ve worked as a pharmacy technician, a science and math tutor, an adjunct instructor, and briefly as the director of the Learning Center on campus. I completed one year of the associate degree nursing program, which gave me a lasting appreciation for clinical demands and sparked an enduring love for human anatomy and physiology!
When I was younger, I wanted to be a forensic entomologist, and then considered teaching science. I knew I wanted to be a scientist, perhaps a researcher, but I simply did not know how to access this avenue. I finished my associate’s degree from MAC to gain my footing and learned more about the world of science and what it really meant to study and consume a topic. After falling in love with biology thanks to my professors (Nancy Petersen and Sharon Reeves), I transferred to SEMO believing I was going to study wildlife biology. It was here that my eyes were opened to all of the career pathways and research available! I met Dr. Diane Wood and I became obsessed with the world of insects and ecology. I finished my undergrad and accepted a teaching assistantship to work in the Wood Lab when I learned about collection techniques and the fascinating and endless world of weevils.
After graduate school, I briefly worked as a researcher and identified insects. I could not find my niche in the research world and had a momentary crisis of identity: what do I do now? How do I contribute meaningfully to society and stay true to myself? I moved back to our area and was eventually hired as a math and science tutor. It was this avenue that re-sparked my love of teaching. I continued to take courses in the background each semester and became an adjunct instructor teaching night classes. I knew I wanted to teach, but I also knew I had to keep my brain moving–I cannot settle, I cannot stagnate, the thoughts never stop! It was at this time that I decided I would enter the world of health professions. I finished the first year of nursing school when this career path opened to me–and I am forever thankful that it did!
I finished a graduate certificate in anatomical sciences education to deepen my A&P knowledge, to fill any gaps, and remain current in the ever-updating field.
Currently, I am progressing through a PhD in Health Professions Education.
Research Interests
My academic roots are in entomology and ecology. My graduate research focused on plant/insect interactions, specifically the taxonomy of true weevils within Western Illinois hill prairies. This work built upon my undergraduate experiences exploring wetland ecology, the impact of prescribed burns on insect populations, invasive species management, and Midwestern aquatic insect assemblages. I’m particularly fascinated by the evolution of insects and arthropods as disease vectors in both humans and plants. Over time, this ecological lens merged with microbiology, public health, and educational design. After graduate school, my interest in insects began to intertwine with a newfound curiosity in physiology and microbiology. It was during my time in nursing school that I truly fell in love with anatomy and the art of teaching.
I am fascinated by how people learn and the daily aspects that help or hinder the learning process. My current research interests include how course modality (online, hybrid, in-person) affects student performance, access, and equity with a focus on rural students and health professions prerequisites.
As a teacher, I strive to be clear, compassionate, ethical, and pragmatic. My teaching is shaped by real-world experience, and I’m committed to helping students build practical, meaningful science literacy. My students know I set high expectations, but I believe in meeting people where they are—whether they’re brand new to college or returning after twenty years. I want everyone to leave my classroom with a sense of personal capability and maybe even a surprise interest in the circulatory system or pond-dwelling invertebrates!
Fun Facts and Things I Love! ♥
I’m very sociable and often have to limit myself from interrupting my coworkers too often. 😆 When I’m not teaching or researching, I gravitate toward anything with good world-building, magic, mystery, and a great story!
Books: I love epic fantasy and sci-fi.
- The Murderbot Diaries, Mistborn, Saga, Wheel of Time, Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter
- Hyperion, Lord of the Rings, Gone Girl, A Dowry of Blood
- Anything with magic, space, or a good twist.
Games: I love city builders, strategy games, and anything with space or a good story.
- Mass Effect, Skyrim, Zelda, Far Cry, Overwatch, Cities: Skylines
- Dragon Age, Baldur’s Gate, Detroit: Become Human
Shows: I’ll watch anything if its highly recommended, but it needs a good story or good jokes!
- Westworld, The Wheel of Time, Ahsoka, The Magicians, Foundation
- Castlevania, Fullmetal Alchemist, Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Supernatural, Charmed, Penny Dreadful, Mike Flanagan’s Horror Series
- Golden Girls, It’s Always Sunny, Schitt’s Creek, Gilmore Girls
Movies: I wish I had more time for movies! I always love something with horror, mystery, or a good saga.
- Kill Bill, The Village, The Matrix, Gone Girl
- Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, 28 Days Later
- Creep, Exorcism of Emily Rose, Pan’s Labyrinth
- Arrival, Underworld, Paprika
Comfort Foods
- Pad Thai, O-saki sushi, and First Wok
- Sprite Zero Cranberry Limeades from Sonic, iced matcha, and Earl Grey tea
- Zero-sugar Baja Blast, Cream Soda Dr. Pepper Zero, or Cherry Coke Zero
- Dark chocolate, Cheesy bean and rice burritos
Korey Byers 