I absolutely love working with the amazing students at Cabrillo College! I started as an adjunct lecturer in January, 2021, and currently teach bio 450 and bio 451 classes. These no-fee, no-credit courses, focus on the amazing diversity of microscopic life found in the Monterey Bay and give students hands on experience working as part of a cooperative team doing ongoing science in the field and in the lab.

I received my undergraduate degree in science (emphasis on marine science) at UCSC, and later got my graduate degree at Moss Landing Marine Labs in Invertebrate Marine Ecology. I've spent the last 3 decades and more teaching at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and at CSUMB, in science, Marine biology, conservation and Natural History Interpretation. My research experience includes my thesis work on the affects of macro algal mats on the intertidal mudflats of Elkhorn Slough - studying the invertebrate ecology and conservation; to the Exxon Valdez oil spill's affect on the sea otter prey community and humpback whale research in Hawaii. I have a strong passion for plankton and sharing the beauty and diversity of the microscopic world. My greatest joy is introducing students to the unseen world within the ocean and facilitating their development in scientific methods of exploring our planet, and helping them achieve their goals and dreams.

I have identical twin boys who just graduated from college (one at UCSB in environmental Science and one at UCI in mechanical engineering), and are now working in their chosen fields! I live in Aptos with my husband Mark Silberstein, the executive director for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, whom I share the passion for all things muddy! In my spare time I enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, painting nature and exploring both terrestrial and aquatic areas.