Author Profiles
Leslie Bach
Leslie Bach is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at the University of San Francisco. She received a BS in animal science from Michigan State University and a PhD in genetics from the University of California, Davis. Her graduate research focused primarily on the genetic factors in control of the hair growth cycle in the domestic cat and the construction of a high-resolution radiation hybrid panel to aid the correct assembly of the full cat genome. Dr. Bach is a White woman and a member of the LGBT+ community writing from her perspective as a biology professor with extensive experience teaching introductory courses in biology. Her work is grounded in a strong commitment to equity and inclusion in science education to support all students in feeling seen, respected, and empowered in their learning. Dr. Bach currently teaches general biology, human anatomy, and human physiology.
Nour Al-muhtasib
Nour Al-muhtasib is an instructor in the Department of Biology. Dr. Al-muhtasib’s graduate research focused on the neurons within the nucleus accumbens and how they differed from each other. Dr. Al-muhtasib teaches general biology, human physiology, and neurobiology. She is a Muslim Arab woman born in the United States to immigrant parents, and her identity informs her commitment to a more inclusive scientific community. Her academic journey took her from a bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland to a PhD in pharmacology at Georgetown University. Her research focuses on the neurobiology of addiction using electrophysiology. She is passionate about decolonizing the curriculum and has intentionally worked to broaden the perspectives presented in this text beyond the traditional canon. Her dedication to active learning is embedded in the structure of each chapter to encourage your deep engagement. The decision to make this an open-source textbook is a deliberate choice to ensure knowledge is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.
Leslie King
Leslie King is an instructor in the Department of Biology at the University of San Francisco. She received her BS in zoology from the University of California, Davis and her MA in physiology and behavioral biology from San Francisco State University. Professor King’s graduate research focused on hemoglobin-oxygen affinities in adult and fetal swell sharks (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum). Upon completion of graduate school, she focused on teaching at the university level as a career. She maintains active interests in comparative and human physiology, marine biology and conservation, and science communication. Professor King is a White woman with over 33 years of experience teaching physiology at the college level, and during this time her pedagogy has evolved to incorporate active and inclusive methods in the classroom. She regularly reflects on how her identity and journey influence content selection, language, and examples. She is committed to ongoing reflection in her teaching and authorship, and in writing this textbook, she has strived to present the material in a way that is accessible, respectful, and inclusive of diverse learners of all identities and backgrounds. Professor King currently teaches courses in general biology, comparative animal physiology, and human physiology.
Nicole Thometz
Nicole Thometz is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at the University of San Francisco. She earned a BS in biology from the University of Portland and a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Thometz is a broadly trained physiological ecologist who runs an active research lab focused on the energetics, physiology, and behavior of marine mammals. A former college athlete, she has long been fascinated by the physiology of human performance, and her research now explores the remarkable physiological adaptations that enable marine mammals to thrive in challenging aquatic environments. As a White academic, she recognizes the privileges her identity carries within the scientific community and is committed to fostering equity and inclusion in her teaching and mentorship. Her background and lived experiences inform her efforts to create learning environments where all students feel valued, respected, and supported. In addition to human physiology, Dr. Thometz teaches courses in comparative animal physiology, ecology, and marine mammal biology.
