Dr. Standish earned his Ph.D. degree from George Mason University working on application of the Polymerase Chain Reaction to systematics, particularly species and strain identification. His primary research organism was Caenorhabditis elegans . A primary research interest remains the application of molecular techniques to resolving questions about classification of organisms. In addition, he has also developed research activity investigating the molecular basis of behavior in crickets. Funding for Dr. Standish's research has come from the National Science Foundation, Geoscience Research Institute, Sigma XI, and Andrews University Faculty Research Grants.
Recent publications range from systematics to behavior.
As a botanist with broad interests in plant growth and development, Dr. Steen began his research by investigating the role of ethylene in shaping plant cells. This early work, done while working on his Ph.D. at Loma Linda University, resulted in cotributions to our understanding of ethylene biosynthesis and its subsequent role in altering the architecture of cortical microtubules. These developmental studies led naturally into questions that required plant tissue culture methods. Now, Steen's research focuses on factors determining the induction of somatic embryos. He has received funding from NSF, Loma Linda University, Southern College, and from AU Faculty Research Grants.