As a former De Anza student I do my best to work with my students to help them to understand the materials covered in my classes and to show them their own capabilities. My educational background is in environmental science and ecology, evolution, and marine biology. As a student, I participated in study abroad programs focused around tropical ecology, studying Restoration Ecology, with an emphasis on pollution prevention. I have worked in the private, public and academic sectors, which allows me to bring a unique perspective to my classroom. The primary focus of my career prior to becoming an instructor has been on integrated waste management. As an instructor I continue to educate myself in all aspects of my interests, including waste management and recycling, tropical ecology, social and environmental justice, biology, and environmental studies and sciences.