Greg Hatlestad serves as an Associate Professor in Howard Payne University’s School of Science & Mathematics, where he teaches in the Department of Natural Sciences. With 14 years of experience as a professor, including 10 years at HPU, Hatlestad brings a strong background in genetics, cell and molecular biology, plant biology, and research to his work with students.
Hatlestad teaches Genetics, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Plant Biology, General Biology I and II, Human Biology, Introduction to Cancer Biology, Biological Science, Research, Thesis, and Global Studies in Biology. His favorite courses include Genetics, Cell Biology, and Developmental Biology because they allow students to explore how DNA, cells, and signaling pathways shape living organisms. He is especially fascinated by gene regulation and the way identical DNA can give rise to the many different types of cells, tissues, and organs found throughout the human body.
One of the aspects Hatlestad values most about teaching at HPU is the university’s small class sizes. Because he often teaches the same students in multiple courses, he has the opportunity to know them personally and understand their individual strengths, goals, and challenges. This allows him to guide, support, and train students in more personalized ways. He also appreciates the strong sense of community at Howard Payne and the Christian spirit that influences campus life.
Hatlestad is passionate about biology because DNA and cells form the foundation of all living things. He enjoys helping students understand how these basic components affect health, medicine, agriculture, nutrition, forensics, environmental cleanup, industrial processes, and many other areas of life. He is particularly interested in the ways advances in genetics are helping make medical treatment more personalized by considering the unique genetic characteristics of each individual.
Hatlestad earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota, completing majors in Biochemistry, Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Plant Biology, along with a minor in History. He later earned a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Austin.
His research has contributed to the fields of plant genetics, pigmentation, developmental biology, and molecular biology. Hatlestad has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including research published in Nature Genetics, Developmental Biology, PLOS ONE, and other scientific journals. His research accomplishments include discovering a novel virus and identifying genes involved in determining red pigmentation and color intensity in beets.
Outside of the classroom, Hatlestad enjoys sports, outdoor activities, home improvement projects, woodworking, cooking, baking, making ice cream, traveling, and reading. Originally from Minnesota, he is married and has two children. He is also an Eagle Scout and is involved with St. John’s United Methodist Church in Austin and Coggin Baptist Church in Brownwood.
Hatlestad’s office is located in Winebrenner 215. Through teaching, research, mentorship, and faith, he seeks to help students appreciate the complexity of life and develop the skills needed to become thoughtful and capable scientists.
