Canisius College

Hometown: San Francisco, California
High School: Highland High School, Albuquerque, NM
College: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Grad School: University of California, San Diego

My favorite biological phenomenon: How a single fertilized egg can through development give rise to a baby and eventually an adult. How bacteria can grow and thrive at temperatures above boiling, e.g., 107—we would be quickly dead at those temperatures. It still boggles my mind every time I teach these things.

My favorite aspect of teaching: Helping students develop the skills they need to accomplish their goals in a career and life.

Why I chose Biology: The beauty and complexity of life always excite me from a tidal pool with sea anemones and small fish to a forest with butterflies and ferns to yeast under the microscopy that can make beer, wine, bread and also are great to study for their own sakes.

My hobbies: Reading, swimming, and parenthood.

My source of inspiration: Dr. Giese, my cell physiology professor as an undergraduate—He taught me how to be a teacher. Dr. Lester, my post doc mentor--He taught me how to do science and love yeast.