Message to My Students

     I discovered my enthusiasm and my interest in science while taking a required course in Biology as an undergraduate. I listened to my Professor talking about the wonders of learning about life and I was "Hooked".  I did my doctoral studies at Rutgers University and I have been teaching in CUNY for almost 20 years.   I love teaching; the sparks in the students' eyes when they discover their interest in science is my greatest satisfaction.
    In the past few years I have been involved in research both bench and educational.  I am currently involved in a research project at Staten Island's Institute of Basic Research (I.B.R.). I am working with a little worm, a nematode called C. elegans in an attempt to find an animal model for the study of the biochemical basis of Alzheimer's disease.
    My educational research has been focusing on the understanding of students' attitude and study skills in an effort to find new teaching methods that can help students to improve their performance.
    Furthermore, I am now taking part in a large study at New York University to bring computers into the classroom to help students to understand traditionally difficult biological concepts.
    My hope is that every student that studies with me can leave with something more than a few credits and a grade. I want every student to understand that science is for everybody and, in this modern world, it touches all of our lives.