Shayani Pieris of Creve Coeur, Mo., added as Plant Sciences assistant professor at Missouri Baptist University

ST. LOUIS, MO (06/06/2012)(readMedia)-- Several notable educators have been added to Missouri Baptist University faculty fall 2012.

MBU's growing degree programs and increasing enrollment have contributed to the expansion of some divisions and academic concentrations. Shayani Pieris of Creve Coeur, Mo., was appointed by the Board of Trustees February 2012.

Dr. Shayani D.N. Pieris, Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences – Pieris holds a B.S. in general science from University of Colombo-Sri Lanka and a Ph.D. in interdepartmental plant physiology from Iowa State University. She was a graduate teaching assistant at Iowa State where she earned a graduate teaching excellence award, and has researched at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and in Sri Lanka. Her background in presenting, mentoring and research hones her interest in biology.

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Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in Saint Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and its new terminal degree, the Doctor of Education. In addition to its 66-acre West St. Louis County campus, MBU offers degree programs at 10 regional learning centers throughout St. Louis, in Southern Illinois and online. For more information, go to www.mobap.edu or call 1-877-434-1115.