Michael J Budziszek (he/him)
Professor College of Arts & Sciences Department of Biological and Physical Sciences Providence
Biography
Michael Budziszek has an M.S. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, and his background is in plant molecular biology. He is a research scientist and has applied his skills as a researcher to both the scientific field and the field of teaching and learning.
Budziszek’s current scientific research involves defining the roles that various cell wall synthase genes have on the development of the plant cell wall. He is also actively researching how students learn in order to better align his teaching style and attempt to create a more optimal environment for learning. He is a member of the College of Arts & Sciences Outcomes Assessment Committee (chair from 2014–16).
At JWU, Budziszek has assisted in the development of both the Physician Assistant (PA) and Biology programs. He is also the advisor to the Arts in Sciences Club, where students use scientific protocols to produce artwork. In the future, Budziszek hopes to engage Biology students in scientific research endeavors.
Education
PhD, University of Rhode Island
Molecular and Plant Biology
MS, University of Rhode Island
Biological Sciences
BS, University of Rhode Island
Biological Sciences
Open a Cannabis Business Workshop- Boston
Cloverleaf University, Denver, CO.
2026 JWU Athletics Gamechanger Recognition
JWU Women’s Softball
Senior Toast 2025
President Marie Bernardo- Sousa
Senior Toast
President Marie Bernardo- Sousa
Gamechanger
JWU Women’s Ice Hockey
Gamechanger
JWU Men’s Ice Hockey
Gamechangers
JWU Women’s Softball
Johnson & Wales University Teaching Excellence
Johnson & Wales University
Travel Grant
North East Section of the American Society of Plant Biologists
Graduate Poster Award
Gordon-Kenan Research Conference Seminar
Teacher Excellence Award
Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Teacher Excellence Award
Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Teacher Excellence Award
Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Army R.O.T.C. Student Athlete Award
U.S. Army
“Higher Education.” Budziszek, M. (March 1, 2024)
https://www.rimonthly.com/cannabis-entrepreneurship-programs/
“Cannabis Programs are Growing in RI Schools.” Budziszek, M. (February 28, 2024)
https://subscribe.providencejournal.com/restricted?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.providencejournal.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Feducation%2F2024%2F02%2F29%2Fwhy-ris-cannabis-education-college-courses-dont-have-internships%2F72710181007%2F&gps-source=CPROADBLOCKDH&sltsgmt=0051_B
“Cannabis 101: Cannabis Campus.” Budziszek, M. (November 1, 2023)
https://www.rimonthly.com/cannabis-campus/
“Local University Creates Cannabis-Based Degree Program.” Budziszek, M. (November 18, 2022)
https://www.abc6.com/local-university-creates-cannabis-based-degree-program/
“Science of the Cannabis Plant.” Budziszek, M. (November 18, 2022)
; https://www.abc6.com/science-of-the-cannabis-plant/
“Brace for abrupt shifts in legalized cannabis market.” Budziszek, M. (September 30, 2022)
https://pbn.com/brace-for-abrupt-shifts-in-legalized-cannabis-market/
“3 Ways JWU Cannabis Entrepreneurship Program Can Impact the Industry.” Budziszek, M. (September 19, 2022)
https://www.jwu.edu/news/2022/09/cannabis-entrepreneurship-panel.html
“Opinion/Thorsson and Budziszek: States see green in emerging cannabis industry.” Budziszek, M. (April 9, 2021)
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/04/09/opinion-thorsson-and-budziszek-states-see-green-emerging-cannabis-industry/7093876002/
“The Business of Cannabis Education.” Budziszek, M. (February 5, 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uejQoPY4fmQ&t=7510s
“What’s New at JWU? An Interactive Chat with New Provost Kyle McInnis, Sc.D., FACSM & Special Guests.” Budziszek, M. (February 3, 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbYXhqPLBmY
“Measuring climate change, on the backs of scuba divers.” Budziszek, M. (February 12, 2020)
https://expmag.com/2020/02/measuring-climate-change-on-the-backs-of-scuba-divers/
“The tobacco farmers chasing a sweeter crop.” Budziszek, M. (January 1, 2020)
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50629107
“J&W opens center with ‘cutting-edge’ ribbon cutting.” Budziszek, M. (September 1, 2019)
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2016/09/01/j-amp-w-opens-center/25533418007/
“Panelists advocate for local farming.” Budziszek, M. (April 2, 2019)
https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2019/04/panelists-advocate-for-local-farming
“Effects of Climate Change on California Wildfires.” Budziszek, M. (November 15, 2018)
https://www.wpri.com/fox-providence/11-15-jwu-science-professor-michael-budziszek-talks-california-wildfires-on-state-of-mind/
“What Happened to Recalled Flubber 50 Years Ago?.” Budziszek, M. (May 19, 2014)
https://turnto10.com/amp/archive/what-happened-to-recalled-flubber-50-years-ago
Sigma Xi
Southside Community Land Trust
The Adult Higher Education Alliance
American Society of Plant Biologists
American Association for the Advancement of Science
National Association of Biology Teachers
American Chemical Society
National Science Teacher Association
Roberts, A. & Dimos, C. & Budziszek, M. & Goss, C. & Lai, V. & Chaves, A. (2020). Knocking Out the Wall: Revised Protocols for Gene Targeting in Physcomitrella patens: Methods in Molecular Biology. (Book Chapter).
Springer New York, 125-144.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0621-6_8
Roberts, A. & Dimos, C. & Budziszek, M. & Goss, C. & Lai, V. & Chaves, A. (2020). Knocking Out the Wall: Revised Protocols for Gene Targeting in Physcomitrella patens: Methods in Molecular Biology. (Book Chapter).
Springer New York, 125-144.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0621-6_8
Berry, E. & Tran, M. & Dimos, C. & Budziszek, M. & Scavuzzo-Duggan, T. & Roberts, A. (2016). Immuno and affinity cytochemical analysis of cell wall composition in the moss Physcomitrella patens. (Journal Article).
Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 248.
Berry, E. & Tran, M. & Dimos, C. & Budziszek, M. & Scavuzzo-Duggan, T. & Roberts, A. (March 8, 2016). Immuno and Affinity Cytochemical Analysis of Cell Wall Composition in the Moss Physcomitrella patens. (Journal Article).
Frontiers in Plant Science, 7.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00248
Roberts, A. & Dimos, C. & Budziszek, M. & Goss, C. & Lai, V. (2011). Knocking Out the Wall: Protocols for Gene Targeting in Physcomitrella patens: Methods in Molecular Biology. (Book Chapter).
Humana Press, 273-290.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-008-9_19
Roberts, A. & Dimos, C. & Budziszek, M. & Goss, C. & Lai, V. (2011). Knocking out the wall: protocols for gene targeting in Physcomitrella patens: The Plant Cell Wall: Methods and Protocols. (Book Chapter).
Springer, 273–290.
Budziszek, M. Molecular cloning of CesA genes from a gametophyte cDNA library of the fern Ceratopteris richardii /.
Powell, J. & Longo, C. & Budziszek, M. & Neill, A. & Hague, J. & Ayrapetov, M. & Chandlee, J. & Guadette, A. & Steere, B. & Maxwell, R. & Buckley, C. & Smith, C. & Lins, J. & Crothers, N. & Clark, A. & Masso, K. & Kausch, A. & Neff, M. (March, 2004). “Modern Techniques of Genetic Engineering”: Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Creeping Bentgrass Cv. PennA4 using a mutant BAS1 construct for the production of dwarf plants. (Journal Article).
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal, 40, 30A-30A.
Hague, J. & Derrig, G. & Longo, C. & Ayrapetov, M. & Neill, A. & Budziszek, M. & Powell, J. & Chandlee, J. & Kausch, A. (March, 2004). A project-based approach: Teaching agricultural biotechnology to high school teachers and students using modern techniques of genetic engineering. (Journal Article).
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal, 40, 39A-39A.
Ayrapetov, M. & Longo, C. & Neil, A. & Budziszek, M. & Powell, J. & Hague, J. & Chandlee, J. & Kausch, A. (March, 2004). Project-based education in plant biotechnology: A unique approach. (Journal Article).
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal, 40, 39A-39A.
50th Annual In-Person AHEA Conference, “A Framework for Experiential and Reflective Pedagogy in Cannabis Science Education,” AHEA https://www.ahea.org/, Tampa, FL, United States. (March 20, 2026).
86th Annual Northeast ASPB (American Society of Plant Biologists) Conference, “Genotype Analysis of PpCSLD5/8 CRISPR/Cas9Knockout Mutants,” American Society of Plant Biologists, Old Westbury, NY, United States. (April 22, 2023).
Sunshine State Teaching and Learning Conference, “Teaching Science Using Stories: Application of the Story-Based Inquiry Method,” University of Central Florida, Daytona Beach, FL, United States. (2020).
University Faculty In-Service Seminar, “Mobile Learning (mLearning),” Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI, United States. (2013).
Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning: Rhode Island College, “Mobile Learning (mLearning),” Rhode Island College, Providence, RI, United States. (January 11, 2013).
Expertise
biochemistry; biology; botany; chemistry; environmental sciences; genetics; molecular biology; nutrigenomics; organic chemistry; sustainability; targeted gene transformation