Anatomy and Physiology with Shahira E.

I spent over four years in a biomedical laboratory studying microbial and mammalian cell systems. However, over the last year, I have switched to teaching the science I love rather than researching it! I find that my time working as a laboratory manager and project scientist lends itself well to teaching not only theoretical concepts in anatomy and physiology, but their real-world or laboratory application. Anatomy in general is often called "memorization-heavy," but I find it to be rich with intuitions about life and what sorts of physiological adaptations help it find a way. While individual details are important, it is these intuitions that help house such details in our minds more permanently, recall them more readily, as well as direct our thinking when we are asked to make inferences, like on "critical thinking" test questions. This in mind, I teach both: conveying anatomical and physiological content in relation to overarching patterns/relationships in biology, such that the facts we learn during class-time act to enrich our overall understanding, rather than as a disparate points of information. I find that this intuition-focused teaching strategy is better for information retention and new learning (by providing a framework for unfamiliar information to be incorporated), and I am excited to share it with you!