Jennifer Avena

Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences, SJSU

Dr. Jennifer Avena is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Science Education Program at San José State University (SJSU). She received her B.A. in Genetics and Psychology at Ohio Wesleyan University and her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder, and she completed her postdoctoral work in Science Education.  The courses she teaches include genetics and quantitative and qualitative data methods and analysis.  Her research interests include student conceptual understanding and problem solving in biology, instructor and peer instructor (i.e., learning assistants) professional development, and practices that support an inclusive science community.  She also collaborates with faculty across SJSU to support students in engaging in applied computing in biology.