Lauren M. Gillespie, PhD

I have been teaching General Biology at CCC-Columbus for a little over a year. I am a first-generation college student from rural Maine. I attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst on a division I field hockey scholarship, and fell in love with animal behavior along the way. I began substitute teaching at 18 years old, and coached Varsity field hockey (2009-2011).  I worked as an avian field research assistant for Texas Tech University and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem studies (2009-2011), and pursued my PhD in Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi (2011-2015). I taught 15 semesters of introductory biology laboratory courses, and my research explores effects of human-altered habitats on hormones (testosterone and corticosterone, the bird stress hormone), multiple behaviors, and plumage colors in eastern bluebirds. I have mentored and trained 17 undergraduate students in research and secured ~$15,000 in funding from the Department of Defense, the North American Bluebird Society, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) prior to my time at CCC.

 

 Hard work, perseverance, and accepting support and guidance from those around me has helped me to achieve my goals, and I believe that journey-oriented, hands-on learning is critical to developing critical thinking skills and a passion for science, or any discipline! I believe one person can make a positive difference in their community, our society, and the world through compassionate pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. I have two miniature schnauzers named Darwin and Lola, and I love to spend my free time keeping in touch with family and friends, reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors.