Department of Biology

Tara received her Ph.D. in Ecology in 2004 from Michigan State University. Since moving to Bloomington in 2006, she has worked as a full-time mom, a free-lance editor, and an instructor in the Department of Biology. She began working with Biology Outreach in the fall of 2011; along with Diane, she coordinates visits and projects with local Kindergarten classrooms.

Joan has taught first, second, and third grades for more than twenty-five years. In 1997, she was recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children as the outstanding teacher of the year.

Diane received her B.S. in Horticulture from The Pennsylvania State University in 1980, and her Associate Degree in Applied Science in Early Care and Education in 2008. She has worked in biology and biomedical laboratories, and has published research in cytology and molecular biology. Diane has worked in preschool classrooms for over 6 years incorporating science- and nature-based activities and projects into the early years curriculum. She was Coordinator of Early Childhood STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Outreach at Indiana University's Center for P-16 Research & Collaboration bringing the how and why of science and math into area preschools. Diane has collaborated with WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology developing a Preschool Teacher Science Workshop Series that combines science knowledge and inquiry-based activities for teachers to bring the fun of science into their classrooms.

Peggy received her B.A.S. in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, her M.S in Biology from the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. in Botany from Duke University. Her research focuses on the restoration of native plant communities. She teaches Environmental Biology for non-majors and has been working with K-12 teachers and their students for several years to develop programs that inspire an appreciation for the environment.