Those experiences in conjunction with the studies I did on hippocampal function in Dr. Ronald Salafia's laboratory as an undergraduate set me on the path I continue to explore as a behavioral neuroscientist. Since I began my graduate work in 1977, my research has been in the area of recovery of function after injury to the hippocampal formation. Having dedicated and energetic professors such as Drs. Boitano and Salafia at the undergraduate level and Dr. Stein in graduate school inspired me to become a college teacher as well as a researcher. My own approach to teaching and research is deeply influenced by these gifted professors.
Scientists approach a problem by asking questions.
I was, of course, determined to learn how I could teach neuroscience in such a way that it would inspire my students to become passionate about the nervous system and its relation to behavior. Each informs the other, and the outcome of this dynamic exchange is an educator who is better prepared to inspire, encourage and empower his or her students. Active engagement in our own research programs, in our own quests for knowledge, energizes us as teachers so we can inspire our students. Having to deal with the frustrations and wrong turns that are often encountered in research sensitizes us to the frustrations and fears our students may have when beginning their own studies in our areas of specialization. The sense of empathy we gain from these experiences can translate into a commitment to support and to encourage our students when they flounder.