Melissa DeMotta, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Transitions
Educational Background
PhD, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 2002
BS, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA 1994
Teaching Philosophy
Teaching and learning are not two separate activities but one activity that is shared between the professor and the student. If the professor is teaching and the students are not learning, then the activity was not successful. It is only when both teaching and learning have both occurred that the activity is successful. Because of this both the professor and the student must challenge themselves and be active participants. If only one entity is participating the activity will not succeed.
Clarke is truly a wonderful institution where everyone does care about each other. I think this has made me want to be my best — as a professor and as a person. I hope that students learn to appreciate the world around them and the wonder of their own bodies so that they realize science is not scary, but fantastic and wonderful.
Profile
Research Interests
- Physiology pedagogy
- Central regulation of cardiovascular function
- Regulation of brain function and the role of blood brain barrier
Courses Taught
- Human Physiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Biology of the Human Body
- Introduction to Life Sciences
- Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics Laboratory
Certifications and Memberships
- American Physiological Society – Member
- Society for Neuroscience – Member
- Iowa Physiological Society Member
- Clarke University Institutional Review Board – Member
Additional Information
- Biology Club Faculty Advisor
- Clarke University STEM Day – Presenter
- Clarke University Human Body Bee – Presenter