Community Colleges: Bringing Research Opportunities to Students and Creating Sustainable Pathways

Laurie McConnico is a tenured biology professor at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA. She earned her BS in Biology from UC San Diego, MS in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Labs, and PhD in Marine and Coastal Studies from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, México. Laurie is trained as a Marine Biologist/ Ecologist with a specialty in seaweeds. Her work in the field of marine science has led to research experiences in California, Florida, Alaska, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Costa Rica and México. Laurie teaches marine biology, ecology, organismal biology, and a range of field courses that take her students to the Sierra Nevada, Channel Islands, Big Sur, and Baja CA, México. Her passion for field studies and research in marine biology helped launch several research courses for undergraduates at Cuesta College. In her free time, Laurie enjoys traveling, hiking, exploring the outdoors, and most all water activities, when the water is warm!

Dr. William R. LaCourse is a Professor of Chemistry and Dean of the College of Natural Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Northeastern University. Dr. LaCourse has a strong background in leadership and continues to work with his colleagues to develop and implement ambitious goals for the advancement of the educational and research mission of the College. He maintains an active research group and possesses a strong record of training and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. His research focuses on basic and applied research on hydrodynamic electroanalytical techniques, especially pulsed electrochemical detection (PED), to (bio)analytical problems of critical significance in the areas of pharmaceutical, toxicological, forensic, environmental, and life science arenas. His research and now teaching innovations have resulted in 128 publications, a sole-authored book, two issued patents, and hundreds of presentations at national and international meetings. Dr. LaCourse is committed to enhancing student success at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, to the advancement of faculty, and to forging new links with business, national agencies, and universities at both the college and university level.