�Ӱ�ԭ��

Education

Ph.D. in Biology, University of Rhode Island
M.S. in Marine Biology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
B.S. in Marine Science, Eckerd College

About Al

Ever since I was very young, I wanted to be a marine biologist and educator. My pathway to accomplishing these goals has been convoluted but worthwhile. I obtained my B.S. in Marine Science at Eckerd College, which solidified my core interests in marine animal physiology. After some time away from school, I built upon this interest by pursuing my M.S. in Marine Biology at UNC, Wilmington, which expanded my science �Ӱ�ԭ��toolkit�Ӱ�ԭ�� by integrating, among other things, biochemical approaches to studying organismal physiology. From there I went on to obtain my Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Rhode Island where my education opened my eyes to the impacts of climate change--specifically ocean acidification--on marine organisms. Concurrent with my graduate education, I was also an NSF Fellow and science outreach instructor.

Those experiences as a Fellow and in outreach sparked my passion for teaching. As an experienced educator I have taught groups of various sizes and all ages in both traditional and non-traditional classroom settings. To make science topics more tangible I strive to link current, real-world issues and events with each and every lesson. I find that this approach tends to make complex concepts more understandable and fosters student curiosity---which I believe is why people get in to the STEM fields. Seeing people of any age marvel at the wonders of our natural world never becomes tiresome.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, playing guitar, and making my own cheeses, sauces, and preserves.

Courses taught at the University of New Haven

- Introduction to Marine Biology
- Marine Vertebrate Zoology
- Introduction to Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Marine Pollution
- Biology I (for both majors and non-majors)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II