About Me

I am originally from upstate New York, but I have spent many years living in Syracuse, NY for my bachelor's degree (SUNY ESF; Environmental Biology), San Luis Obispo, CA for my master's degree (Cal Poly; Biology), and New Brunswick, NJ for my Ph.D. (Rutgers University; Ecology & Evolution), before ending up in Texas. My research has been in the field of physiological ecology, where I focused on the inter-relationships between androgens and other factors influencing ectoparasitism, growth, and color development in fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus and Sceloporus occidentalis). In addition to physiological ecology, my other areas of expertise are anatomy & physiology, ecology, evolution, biology education, and herpetology. My studies over the years have involved reptiles, such as anoles, Hog Island boa constrictors, and fence lizards; and biological education. 

Through the years I have taught classes focusing on Anatomy & Physiology, General Biology, Human Physiology, Instructional Techniques in Biology, Plant/Animal Physiology, and Vertebrate Zoology. I am currently a Professor of Biology and Department Chair of Natural Sciences at Keiser University, where I teach and develop curricula for non-majors and majors courses in General Biology I and II. Before this I was an Associate Professor of Instruction and lab coordinator for Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, and Anatomy & Physiology courses at The University of Texas at Arlington, where I developed lecture/lab curricula, created educational materials, taught lecture/lab components, supervised all labs, and mentored graduate/undergraduate students. I have earned teaching awards at Rutgers University (Graduate Student Teaching) and the University of Texas at Arlington (College of Science Excellence in Teaching & Provost University Excellence in Teaching). 

Outside of academia, my interests include traveling, hiking, camping, herping, cooking, craft beer, hockey, baseball, bowling, and live music. I also have a cuddly pit bull (Caju), 2 crazy cats (Lucas, Moe), and a beautiful Brazilian rainbow boa (Eliana).