Teaching
At Stockton I currently teach courses in Human Physiology, Physiological Ecology, Biodiversity and Evolution, and a non-majors course called Superhuman. Links to descriptions of these courses can be found below.
Superhuman
This non-majors course explores the physiological performance of “superhuman” characters from science fiction, comics, and classical mythology. By questioning whether the abilities possessed by these heroes and villains are biologically possible, students will come to understand the physical and biological principles that limit human (and animal) performance. In addition to understanding the limits of living systems and the process of evolution, students will survey extant biodiversity and explore groups of animals that push the boundaries of physiological performance. I love teaching this course.
Principles of Physiology
In Principles of Physiology I teach students how their bodies work. The course begins with the basics of cellular physiology and then builds up to how those cells work together to form tissues and how those tissues work together to create the organ systems and regulatory pathways allow us to maintain homeostasis. Early in my career as a herpetologist, I did not expect that I would be helping to train future medical docs, nurses, PAs and PTs, but I really enjoy working with this dedicated and highly motivated group of students who want to make a positive difference in the world.
Physiological Ecology
Physiological ecology as a discipline examines how the environment impacts animal physiology and how the physiology of organisms has evolved to allow them to occupy different environments (e.g. hot vs cold or fresh vs salt water). In the course we focus our efforts on understanding how our current biodiversity is likely to be effected by ongoing changes in the environment and students conduct conservation-focused semester projects that examine how understanding physiology can be used to inform conservation and management strategies.