Q&A: Meet Professor Ana Estevez
Meet Your Biology Mentor
Professor of Biology Ana Estevez is passionate about guiding students through the complexities of neuroscience and biology. With a focus on research, mentorship, and hands-on learning, she inspires students to explore the intricacies of the brain and how scientific discovery can make a meaningful impact on the world.
What’s your favorite class to teach, and why?
I love teaching Introduction to Neuroscience because it’s students’ first deep dive into the field. If they go on to major in Neuroscience, I get to teach them in several more courses, which allows me to watch their growth and really get to know them over their undergraduate years—something I truly enjoy.
How do you make your courses engaging?
In my seminar course, Current Topics in Neuroscience, students shape the syllabus by selecting topics they want to explore. Each semester is unique, with students becoming experts in their topic through reading primary literature, leading a journal club discussion, presenting a background lecture, writing an annotated bibliography, and delivering a topic review presentation. My hope is that because each student gets to choose their topic, their interest and motivation in completing these assignments remain high.
What do you value most in your students?
Curiosity. I love when students ask questions in class and stump me! It shows me they understand the topic we’re covering and that they are thinking about the application/implications of those concepts enough to ask me complex questions.
What surprises students most about you?
Many students might be surprised to learn that I struggled in my first neuroscience course as an undergraduate. As a first-generation student, I lacked some of the academic preparation my peers had. I share this with students who struggle in my classes to show that early setbacks don’t define their college experience. Success often comes from finding the right study strategies and time management. As an undergraduate, I learned how I learn best—and now I teach neuroscience! My hope is that my story helps students see their potential to improve and thrive.
What have been your proudest moments as a professor?
I have a proud moment every time I see my students accomplish the goals they set for themselves. I have a proud moment every time I see a student excelling not only in the classroom but also in their co-curricular activities. I have a proud moment every time I learn about what a former student is accomplishing in their career. I have a proud moment when I get an email, letter, or postcard with life updates from former students. I have proud moments when former students come back to campus for visits and help inspire the next generation.
What’s a favorite alumni success story?
So many alumni success stories inspire me. One that comes to mind is of a student who initially struggled in Introduction to Neuroscience. She took that course as a sophomore and by the time she was a senior, she had it figured out! She was performing at the top of all of her classes and was also the lead undergraduate research student in my lab. She went on to medical school and is now a physician. When I received the postcard announcing her graduation from medical school it made me so happy for her. I know she really worked hard to achieve her goals and deserved all of the success.
