Suzanne Oppenheimer

I can trace my love of biology to my 6^th grade science class; after dissecting a cow’s heart, I was hooked. Since that day, I have had an unwavering interest and passion for biology. I have lived and studied all over the world. My biological career began in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, while an undergraduate at Occidental College. Since then, I have worked in the California deserts, Costa Rican rainforest, New England islands, and coastal northern California. My Ph.D. studies were conducted at the University of Wollongong in Australia, where I lived, studies, and explored for 5 years. Much of my research has focused on behavioral endocrinology and physiological ecology in birds. I am fascinated by the ways in which animals’ physiological systems interact with their social and physical environments. After completing my studies, I returned to the United States, where I began teaching undergraduate-level biology. I have taught a variety of classes, ranging from ornithology to pathophysiology. I joined CWI in 2010 and currently teach Human Anatomy and Physiology and Concepts of Biology. I am also a faculty sponsor for the biology club, in which I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for biology and the natural world.