Karen Atwood
Title: Assistant Instructor
CV:
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Phone: 941-359-4392
Email: katwood@usf.edu
Office: Mote Marine Laboratory
Karen Atwood is an Assistant Instructor of Biology in the School of Natural Sciences and Math at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. She brings to this position more than 15 years’ experience in harmful algal blooms from the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg, along with a teaching background in Biology and Environmental Science at University of Tampa.
Ms. Atwood received her B.S. in Zoology from USF Tampa and her M.S. in Marine Science from the College of Marine Science at USF St. Petersburg. Her thesis was titled Brevetoxin body burdens in seabirds of Southwest Florida. She is currently working on her Ph.D. from the College of Education at USF Tampa where she will focus on accommodations and accessibility for University employees in an effort to support diversity.
At the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus she teaches Biology I and II, Genetics, and Microbiology laboratory courses. In addition, she teaches a lecture course titled Marine and Freshwater Toxins, which focuses on the Florida Red Tide organism, Karenia brevis. She also leads a study abroad course focusing on fieldwork, service, and cultural immersion to the Galapagos Islands each summer titled Island Ecology and Biology, which is open to students from all USF campuses. Ms. Atwood enjoys volunteering in her community and spending time with her family. She is looking forward to sharing her experiences in the field and science community with her students.