Sandra has been teaching biology full-time at NIC since 2003. Her three degrees are in the fields of toxicology and neuroscience, but she is now a “generalist,” naturalist and life-long learner.
Sandra has grown roots in the #CampbellRiver community and is fortunate to be active in community organizations that affect positive change, including Greenways Land Trust, Discovery Passage Aquarium, the Cycling Advocacy Committee, BC Centre for Aquatic Health Science and the Beaver Lodge Trust Committee. Her actions support what basic biology tells us: that we must advocate for the species who cannot speak for themselves and act to share our space with them.
Sandra's advocacy efforts have been recognized with several commendations, including the first Local Environmental Hero Award, the Canada 150 Land Trust Honour Roll, the Communities in Bloom Best Green Garden and Best Residential Garden and the Campbell River Stewardship Special Recognition award.
Within the NIC community, Sandra served on the Research Steering Committee, developing policy needed to gain Tri-Council eligibility and paved the way to federal research funding for NIC faculty. Representing faculty on the PD committee, she organized many events over the years, bringing faculty and staff together to learn about the training we do to stay current in our fields.
As an educator, Sandra loves to bring the fun of learning to the community by providing public outreach on local birds, intertidal life, brain anatomy, heart dissections, local history and invasive plants.
Sandra also brings the outside community and nature into the classroom, with classroom topics focused on the daily events happening in our bodies, brains, communities and world so that students can connect concepts to their interests and future careers.
She has three talented children, whose experiences in university inform her teaching and keep her in touch with people of all ages.
