Jennifer A. Hanselman, Ph.D. (Chair)
Associate Professor and Chair
jhanselman@westfield.ma.edu
220-C Wilson Hall
Office: 413.572.5776
Fax: 413.572.8109
University Involvement
- Biology Education Program Coordinator
- Faculty Athletic Representative
Education
B.S., Florida Institute of Technology, Science Education/Biology
M.S., Florida Institute of Technology, Environmental Education/Conservation Biology option
Ph.D., Florida Institute of Technology, Ecology & Conservation Biology
Joined Westfield State University in 2008
Research Specialization
Paleoecology: My dissertation research included a 370,000 yr record of vegetation and fire history around Lake Titicaca (Bolivia/Peru). I also conducted a modern analog study in which pollen, charcoal, and limnological data were collected from 35+ lakes in Peru and Bolivia along an elevational gradient. I have also developed an interest in other areas of ecosystem dynamics and can be found conducting gap analyses in local forests.
STEM Literacy: I am frequently conducting outreach in K-12 schools on ecological topics, especially climate change. In addition, I partner with Westfield State's Center for Teacher Education and Research (CENTER) to offer teacher workshops. I present on pedagogical topics such as shifting lessons toward inquiry, debunking science myths and misconceptions, and connecting the Next Generation Science Standards to the Common Core.
Off-campus Collaborations
- Science Education Resource Center (SERC)
- Museum of Science, Boston
- Westfield, MA public schools (MMSP Title IIB grant)
- Gateway public schools
- Florida Tech's PaleoLab group
Spring 2017 Courses:
BIOL 0289: History and Nature of Scientific Knowledge (Seminar)
BIOL 0278: Biostatistics
BIOL 0608: Climate Change (graduate course)
Spring 2017 Office hours:
Monday, 8:15-9:05am; Tuesday, 1:30-3:15pm; or by appointment
researchgate.net/profile/Jennifer_Hanselman
linkedin.com/pub/jennifer-hanselman/36/3b0/b6a/
