Melba D. Horton

Bio

Dr. Melba D. Horton started her teaching career right after graduation at Mindanao State University, Philippines where she was hired as a pioneer alumna in the Marine Biology program. She was awarded a scholarship by the Department of Science and Technology to pursue her Master’s degree in Marine Science for her research work on seaweed cultivation and coastal conservation. She was then selected as a Research Fellow through the Monbukagakusho Scholarship Program in Japan working on the alginate content of brown seaweeds at Kitasato University. Because of her contributions to the improvement of seaweed farming and coastal management in Asia, she was selected for the Group Study Exchange Program by the Rotary Club, International to share her experience with various organizations throughout Southeast Asia.

Through a research project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) at Michigan Technological University joint with the University of Essex in England on the role of extracellular polymeric substance from diatoms, Dr. Horton worked as University Research and Teaching Assistant before earning her doctorate degree. This broadened her perspective of biological applications in various fields. Since then, she was able to present her work in various conferences and gained recognition both at local and international settings.

Dr. Horton is a strong advocate of collaborative learning. When she joined SEU, she launched the “ABLASE (Applied Biological Learning And Scientific Exploration) Forum” where students in Biology 1 present the conceptual framework of their proposed research in a Christ-centered way. The event was sponsored by Course Hero and was featured in their Best Lessons web page. She continues to encourage and inspire students inside and outside the classroom. Her personal mantra “We Are Designed To Serve And Be The Fire Of Change” motivates her to touch the lives of students as they explore their God-given purpose through education.