Bio
Julia
Smith is a tenured Professor of Biological Science at Holy Names University
in Oakland, California. Her teaching responsibilities regularly include
Fundamentals of Physiology (for non-majors), Introductory Biology,
Developmental Zoology, Systemic Physiology, Comparative Vertebrate
Anatomy, Animal Behavior, Environmental Studies, Field Studies, Senior
Seminar in Biology, and the Natural History of California. Julia believes
strongly in the importance of a liberal arts education and the mastery
of library research as the cornerstone of that whole. Thus, with college
library staff, she recently created (and published) cooperative learning
exercises for biology classes that foster library research skills
as well develop important biological themes. These exercises exemplify
the vision of science education portrayed by the National Science
Education Standards, in that they effectively teach teachers how to
create an environment in the library in which students and faculty
work together as active learners.
Julia's
most recent scholarly activity focuses on the study of montane riparian
and wet meadow habitats on the eastern slope of the Northern Sierra
Nevada in the Tahoe National Forest. These habitats are some of the
most imperiled and important habitats for landbird populations in
all of California, yet there is relatively poor information available
to establish conservation, management, and restoration priorities.
Julia's work is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation and involves researchers from The Nature Conservancy
and San Francisco State University. Her goal is to illuminate the
ecological role of high elevation meadows in general and the health
of specific Sierran ecosystems so that local communities, the federal
government, and conservation organizations can make informed decisions
regarding the future of these important pieces of land.
Julia
completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at Carleton College
in Northfield, Minnesota and graduated in 1983 with distinction on
her senior comprehensive exercise regarding avian siblicide. Because
of its strong tradition in ornithology, Julia chose to pursue a Master
of Science in Zoology at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
Her Master's thesis investigated a hybrid zone between two species
of woodpecker. In 1986 Julia completed her Master's and chose to continue
graduate study in ornithology at the University of California at Berkeley
in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. In 1993 Julia completed
her Ph.D. studying phenotypic plasticity in Song Sparrows. Julia has
been a member of the faculty at Holy Names since 1994.
|
