We know it’s hard to believe, but professors have whole lives outside of the classroom (wild, right?!). We sat down with some professors to give you a glimpse of the human behind the title and the syllabus. It turns out they have favorite foods and pets and hobbies, too. Professors… they’re just like us!
What part of your work makes you most proud?
I am most proud when I am able to get my students engaged in a back and forth discussion in class and see them come to understand a new idea or a new set of data for the first time.
What makes your day better?
Having time to talk with colleagues and students casually at the end of the day.
What is the most exciting thing happening in your field right now?
Right now, it is a very exciting time in the field of comparative immunology. Some of the most important findings about how the immune system first evolved, how diverse immune responses are among animals, and how we might develop effective immunotherapies are coming from labs working with marine animals like hagfish, sharks, and anglerfish. That is very exciting for someone who has been working in comparative immunology for a long time using sharks as a model even when most people thought that was a silly thing to do.
How do you recharge?
I spend time with my family, my two dogs, and my new kitten.
What is the most unusual food you have eaten?
I once ate a small animal called a paca while visiting Iquitos, Peru and it was my first experience eating bushmeat, recently prepared by the family we were visiting. It was a very interesting experience to try something so different.
What part of your work makes you most proud?
When the students I mentor or write letters of recommendation for receive a scholarship, internship, or job offer. It makes me feel proud to have helped played a small part in their achievement.
What makes your day better?
When a student shares an interesting weather observation or story with me, especially if they are taking my cognate class. I try to get them excited about the weather and I’m always telling them to look up!
What is the most exciting thing happening in your field right now?
The work tying climate change to changes in extreme weather. Recently there are more studies linking a warmer world to stronger and more persistent heat waves as well as more powerful hurricanes and flooding rains.
How do you recharge?
Going on a run or walk and getting out in nature.
What is the most unusual food you have eaten?
Probably when I visited the Pantanal in Brazil, the world’s largest tropical wetland. There I ate capybara (the world’s largest living rodent!), alligator, and of course, chicken hearts.
You’ve met the humans behind the syllabi—next up, meeting you! We’ll see you on campus soon!
