James Van Sandwyk

About

I was born and raised in South Africa, where wide-open landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity sparked my lifelong fascination with the natural world. That curiosity eventually led me deep into the heart of Kruger National Park, where I completed my Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Pretoria. My doctoral research focused on the molecular epidemiology of the Cardiovirus genus in African wildlife, blending fieldwork, molecular biology, and disease ecology to better understand how pathogens move through natural populations.

Today, I am an Assistant Professor of Biology with more than a decade of global experience spanning academic, educational, scientific, and corporate environments. My career has taken me from research laboratories to classrooms across continents, shaping an interdisciplinary perspective that I bring into every course I teach. I am known for creating inclusive, engaging, and technology-enhanced learning spaces that invite students to think critically, ask bold questions, and connect biological concepts to the real world.

As the Program Director of General Biology and Health Sciences at Keystone College, I combine a scientist’s precision with an educator’s heart. Whether guiding students through foundational biology or advanced topics in health and disease, my goal is to help them discover their own curiosity, confidence, and passion for discovery, both inside and beyond the classroom.

Education – Degrees & Certifications

• Alternative Route to Certification in Education, Connecticut Office of Higher Education (2023)
• Ph.D., University of Pretoria (2014)
• M.Sc., University of Pretoria (2007)
• B.Sc., University of Pretoria (2005)