Nathan P. Crowe

Dr. Crowe's research sits broadly at the intersection of biology, technology, and culture in the modern world. His first book, Forgotten Clones: The Birth of Cloning and the Biological Revolution (2021) explored the development of cloning technologies in the middle of the twentieth century and the subsequent emergence of a social awareness surrounding the promises and perils of cloning and similar biotechnologies. In doing so, Dr. Crowe has become an expert the role of federal funding in the sciences after WWII, and the social, cultural, and political contexts in the second half of the twentieth century. Some of his current projects include: memory and memorialization of biotechnologies, the history of developmental biology after WWII, and the ethical and environmental issues emerging with contemporary research into marine biotechnologies.

Dr. Crowe is the undergraduate coordinator for the history department and cares deeply about how we teach history and develop majors. He teaches a wide variety of courses related the history of science, technology, medicine, and health humanities as well as courses on historical methodology. His teaching has won accolades at the university, including the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence award, the Distinguished Professor of Teaching award, Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence award and the Discere Aude award for outstanding student mentoring.

Education

Ph.D. in History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, University of Minnesota
M.A., in History, North Carolina State University
B.A., in Biology and History, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Specialization in Teaching

History of Science, Technology, and Medicine from the ancient period to today
Medical Humanities
Research methods

Research Interests

Dr. Crowe is interested broadly in the history of the biomedical and biosciences in the twentieth century, with a specific emphasis on what is often called "biotechnology". His interests cover not only scientific development but the social, cultural, ethical, and political discussions that such developments generate and the political and social contexts in which they emerge. He is also intersted in the ways that the history of the biosciences in the twentieth century can be used to shape the development and use of biotechnologies today and in the future.

Professional Service

Undergraduate Coordinator - Department of History
Coordinator - Medical Humanities minor

Honors & Awards

Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award, UNCW, 2023-2024
Distinguished Professor of Teaching Award, UNCW, 2023-2024
Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award, UNCW, 2021-2022
Discere Aude Award for Outstanding Student Mentoring, UNCW, 2019-2020
Joseph H. Hazen Education Prize, History of Science Society, as part of the Embryo Project Team, 2018