I first discovered my academic passion for the study of brain and behavior as an undergraduate student in psychology at the University of New Mexico (UNM). After finishing my PhD in experimental psychology at UNM, I worked as a postdoctoral research scientist at the Unviersite de Montreal and later took a position as Assistant Professor of Psychology at Indiana State University. Next, I moved to California State University San Bernardino, where I worked for over a decade and went on to become a full Professor of Psychology, directing a research lab studying brain mechanisms of learning and memory and teaching over 100 undergraduate and graduate classes in psychology.

As a behavioral neuroscientist studying the neurobiology of learning and memory, I used concepts and tools from the psychology of learning (e.g., classical or operant conditioning) and from cognitive psychology (e.g., working memory, attention) to explore the relationship between brain and behavior. My research focuses on the role of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in mediating attention, learning, and memory, and on the consequences of damage to acetylcholine-producing neurons such as occurs in Alzheimer's disease.

In 2013, I returned to my home state of New Mexico and to UNM where I currently serve as a Principal Lecturer teaching undergraduate courses in Introductory Psychology, Brain and Behavior, Learning and Memory, Perception, and Cognitive Psychology. Throughout my career, teaching has been the single most rewarding, engaging, and fun part of the work I am so fortunate to be a part of.

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The earner of this badge has successfully completed the OLC 2-week training on Quality in Online Learning. This training program will help Cengage faculty consultants to better support, mentor, and provide virtual coaching to faculty at various institutions on effective practices of quality online learning, including course design, facilitation, and assessment.