Contributors

Vanessa Hilliard is an Associate Professor of Biology and the director of the Ecuador Study Abroad Program at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. Her work broadly examines relationships between form and function, evolution, and ecology, with a particular emphasis on locomotor structures (limbs and tails).  Other areas of scholarship include diversity and inclusion in STEM disciplines, the development of inclusive field safety plans, human kinematics and injury prevention, and population dynamics and conservation of yellow-footed tortoises in the Ecuadorian Amazon. At Saint Mary’s, Dr. Hilliard teaches Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy, Human Anatomy and Physiology (Nursing), Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Foundations of Form and Function, and Environments of Ecuador. When not at work, Dr. Hilliard enjoys time outside (running, hiking, camping, gardening), baking and canning, live music, dancing, and quality time with the people she loves, especially her sons.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8168-4261

Lisa Whitenack is a Professor of Biology and the Director of Faculty Development at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. Her scientific research investigates the evolution of morphology, especially the evolution and biomechanics of shark teeth across their 400 million-year evolutionary history. Dr. Whitenack’s other area of scholarship is in K-undergraduate STEM education, from pedagogy to DEIB and access. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy is one of her favorite courses to teach. Outside of academics, Dr. Whitenack is a baker, musician, crafter, and parent to two science-loving, musically-inclined kiddos.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1360-2783

Bill Ryerson is a Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Foundation Course Leader at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on the functional morphology, behavior, and biomechanics of feeding in vertebrates, particularly reptiles. He also participates in scholarly work in veterinary education, particularly in the teaching of anatomy and physiology to students interested in human and animal medicine. He has taught Comparative Anatomy and Human Anatomy and Physiology at the undergraduate and professional school levels. Outside of the classroom Dr. Ryerson is bad at many things, but his favorites are wildlife photography, fishing, and riding his motorcycle.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5756-5745