Skip to main content
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
Kent State University logo
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give Now
  • FlashLine Login
  • Calendars
  • Phone Directory
  • Maps & Directions
  • Search
Biological Sciences
Menu Search
  • Undergraduate Programs
    Close
    • Undergraduate Programs Overview
    • Overview
    • Study Abroad
    • Biology - B.A.
    • Biology - B.S.
    • Biotechnology - B.S.
    • Botany - B.S.
    • Environmental and Conservation Biology - B.S.
    • Medical Laboratory Science - B.S.
    • Neuroscience - B.S.
    • Zoology - B.S.
    • Minors
  • Graduate Programs
    Close
    • Graduate Programs Overview
    • Overview of Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences
    • Biology - M.A.
    • Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics Degree - M.S. Degree | Kent State University
    • Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics - Ph.D.
    • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - M.S.
    • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - Ph.D.
    • Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology - M.S.
    • Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology - Ph.D.
    • Graduate Faculty
    • Graduate Forms
  • Research
    Close
    • Research Overview
    • Biology Form Library
    • Research Facilities
    • Research Highlights
    • Undergraduate Research Opportunities
  • Undergraduate Student Resources
    Close
    • Undergraduate Student Resources Overview
    • Awards and Scholarships
    • Research Opportunities and Internships
    • Student Organizations
    • Undergraduate Forms
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • News and Highlights
  • FlashLine Login
  • Calendars
  • Phone Directory
  • Maps & Directions
  • Search
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give Now
Live Chat
Adam Leff

Adam A. Leff

Associate Professor
Campus:
Kent
Office Location:
46 Cunningham Hall
Office Hours:
MWF 11am-12pm
Contact Information
Email:
aleff@kent.edu
Phone:
330-672-8369
Fax:
330-672-3713

Biography

My background and interest in science education developed through experiences as a teaching faculty at the Trumbull Campus of Kent State University. Currently my appointment is with the Department of Biological Sciences-Kent Campus as a science education faculty member.

My education research interests involve studying the use of technology as a tool to enhance undergraduate education. The development of interactive multimedia computer tutorials and the use of stereoscopic 3-D imaging are the focus of my research.

My science background is strongly rooted in medicine and microbiology with interests in infectious disease of aquatic animals and examination of interactions microorganisms have with the biotic and abiotic environment. My laboratory is geared towards providing undergraduates opportunity to participate in research, and graduate students to participate in development of educational curricula and research involving technology.

Previous Projects

Bacterial assemblages associated with shredded tire landfills.

The bacterial community associated with leachate collected from shredded tire landfills and the colonization of tire shred material in both the field and the lab is the focus of this study.

Bacterial Biofilm growing on tire shred surface.
Bacterial Biofilm growing on tire shred surface.

Investigation of chitinoclastic disease in crayfish.

Shellfish of many species suffer from a syndrome that leads to erosions and ulcerations of the chitinous exoskeleton. Commonly called shell disease, black shell disease, or burn spot disease, its cause has been attributed to several species of bacteria and fungi. The etiology of this infection in populations of Orconectes crayfish from Northeast Ohio is currently being examined.

  • Chitinoclastic disease lesion on dorsum of crayfish head.
    Chitinoclastic disease lesion on dorsum of crayfish head.
  • Students working on crayfish project.
    Students working on crayfish project.
  • Orconectes and Procambarus sp.
    Orconectes and Procambarus sp.
Stereoscopic 3D imaging of anatomic structures and its use in teaching and learning.

Using 3D rendering software and two dimensional data from human cadaver sectioning, several stereoscopic 3D anatomy teaching lessons are being developed. The overall goal of this project is to compare learning of anatomic structures and their spatial relationships among various presentation modes; i.e., using 2D visualizations, 3D non-stereo, and 3D stereoscopic.

3D Anteriolateral view of human heart constructed from 2D data
3D Anteriolateral view of human heart constructed from 2D data

Courses Taught

  • Basic Microbiology
  • General Microbiology
  • Human Biology
  • Ichthyology
  • College Teaching
  • Career Pathways in Biology

Courses Teaching

Spring 2015

  • BSCI 10001 - 002 Human Biology
  • BSCI 10003 - 001 Lab Experience In Biology
  • BSCI 20021 - 001 Basic Microbiology
  • BSCI 40099 - 007 Senior Honors Thesis

Fall 2015

  • BSCI 10003 - 001 Lab Experience In Biology
  • BSCI 10110 - 015 Biological Diversity
  • BSCI 20021 - 001 Basic Microbiology
  • BSCI 40360 - 001 Ichthyology

Education

B.S. Animal Ecology, Iowa State University
D.V.M., University of Georgia
M.S. Medical Microbiology, University of Georgia

Publications

  • Vukanti, R., M. Crissman, L. Leff, and A. Leff. 2009. Bacterial communities of tyre monofill sites: growth on tyre shreds and leachate. Journal of Applied Microbiology 106 (2009) 1957–1966.
  • Leff, A.A., C.J. McNamara, and L.G. Leff 2007. Bacterial communities of leachate from tire monofill disposal sites. Science of the Total Environment 387:310-319.
  • Leff, L.G. and A. A. Leff 2000. The effects of macroinvertebrates on bacterial distributions in freshwater microcosms. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 147(2):225-240.
  • Leff, A.A., L. G. Leff, M.J. Lemke, R.T. Heath, and Xueqing Gao 1999. Abundance of planktonic virus-like particles in Lake Erie subsurface waters. Ohio J. Science 99(2):16-18.
  • Leff, A., T. Yoshinaga, and H.W. Dickerson 1994. Cross immunity in channel catfish against two immobilization serotypes of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Journal of Fish Diseases 17:429-432.
Biological Sciences

Street Address

256 Cunningham Hall, Kent State University, Kent OH 44242


Mailing Address

800 E. Summit St.
Kent, OH 44242

Contact Us

Undergraduate Phone: (330) 672-3613 Graduate Phone: (330) 672-2819Undergraduate:
kentbiology@kent.edu Graduate:
bscigrad@kent.edu
Contact Us
  • 330-672-3000
  • info@kent.edu

Facebook
QUICK LINKS
  • Prospective Graduate Students
  • Research
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • linkedin
  • TikTok
  • X
  • snapchat
  • ...
Information
  • Accessibility
  • Annual Security Reports
  • For Our Alumni
  • For the Media
  • Health Services
  • Jobs & Employment
  • Privacy Statement
  • HEERF CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Act Reporting and Disclosure
  • Website Feedback
Kent State University logo
© 2025 Kent State University All rights reserved.