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About Us

Team Lead

B.S., Pharmacy, University of Granada, Spain

M.S., Human Nutrition, University of Granada, Spain

Ph.D., Molecular Biology, University of Granada, Spain

Postdoctoral Scholar, Animal Sciences Department, Purdue University

Currently: Continuing Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences

I wasn't always standing at the front of the classroom. My journey began in Granada, Spain, where I earned a pharmacy degree and a PhD in molecular biology, eventually leading me to research at Purdue University. My passion for teaching and learning started brewing long before then, even back in my school days. I remember enjoying explaining concepts to classmates, and that fascination carried forward. Even while studying pharmacy, my class notes became a valuable resource for classmates (and even future students!). Little did I know this knack for synthesizing and presenting the information would lead me down a path of positively impacting hundreds of students.

I have found that teaching wasn't just about imparting knowledge—it was about learning from my students. Through teaching, I'm discovering how my students study, their individual needs, and how they learn best. This insight allows me to better serve them by crafting resources that empower them to thrive.

My innovative approach recently earned me the prestigious Purdue 2024 Class of 1922 Helping Students Learn Award for my initiative, "Beyond One-Size Fits-All: Tailoring a Large Enrollment STEM Course to Boost Engagement and Foster Success." But this is just the beginning. I'm committed to creating a dynamic learning environment where every student feels empowered to reach their full potential.

Lab Members

Alana Diedrick

Alana Diedrick

Major: Biomedical Health Sciences with a Pre-Dental concentration

Ayush Bansal

Ayush Bansal

Third-year Biomedical Health Science student on a pre-med track

Carla Hernandez

Carla Hernandez

Major: Nutrition & Dietetics and Fitness & Health

Gabriella Conjelko

Gabriella Conjelko

Major: Neurobiology and Physiology with a Pre-Med concentration.
Madison Munoz

Madison Munoz

Major: Kinesiology with a Clinica Exercise Physiology concentration, Pre-PT/OT 
Samantha Johnson

Samantha Johnson

Samantha is studying Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Psychology, aspiring to become a clinical dietetian. 
Wojciech Kielbus

Wojciech Kielbus

Third-year Neurobiology & Physiology student on a pre-med track
Caleb Goodwin

Caleb Goodwin

Major: Brain and Behavioral Science with a Pre-Med concentration

Our Collaborators

  • Kelsey Smart: undergraduate student at Purdue University studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with additional majors in Sociology and Linguistics. She is an active participant in the Student Pedagogy Advocate (SPA) program. Kelsey has been working with Dr. Castro as a student advocate for BIOL203/204 since Fall 2023.