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Why do we desire to understand concepts or information we know little about? For example, why does it matter if one understands the nervous system and its effect on how we interpret and perceive the world? It has been said that “All our knowledge has its origin in our perception”. In other words, what and how we perceive the worlds determines what we know. However, what we know can also influence how and what we perceive things. Knowledge and perception are fundamentally linked. Knowledge and perception are the very things that helps us make sense of the world around us. Therefore, knowing and understanding are instrumental to our survival and subsequently our existence. For millions of years, our evolution and survival on this planet have depended on this type of framework and it will do so far into the future.

My passion for and knowledge of biology began early and continues today. I received my BA from Austin College with a major in Biology. I received my PhD from the University of Ottawa studying Macroecology--broad empirical patterns, across continental scales. My experience in teaching is broad and diverse and includes years of teaching anatomy and physiology, zoology, general biology, cellular biology, organismal biology, plant science, entomology, microbiology and environmental science.

Part of my teaching toolbox incorporates the perspective of Macroecology towards the class-subjects I teach. Utilizing microscopic sub-hierarchal knowledge, Macroecology examines broad-scale conceptual regularities that gives a comprehensive perspective on how one sees and interprets complex systems. One complex system for example, includes our human body with its multitude of traits resulting from millions of years of evolution. With respect to Anatomy and Physiology, my work in Macroecology gives me a unique perception in relation to our participation in the natural selective process that has given rise to our common and species-specific characteristics. This is observed when dissecting Cadavers that we use in our Anatomy and Physiology program. Subsequently, I incorporate how our anatomical and physiological traits have been instrumental to our macroevolutionary success. Another part of my teaching philosophy stems from the premise that to be ourselves is to have memory. Whereupon a memory changes our brain in such a way that it alters the way our brain works in the future. Subsequently, the memories we make through the acquisition of knowledge or through our educational experience will ultimately affect our perception of the world we live in and therefore influence the choices we make as well as help us formulate predictions about the things we understand and about the things we remember.

Our Anatomy and Physiology program works:
A few comments from students -
“I feel that Dr.Walker is one of the best teachers I've ever had…”
… Best Bio course I've had”,
“I think Dr.Walker is a great teacher.”,
“Dr. walker is a great instructor and very strict but lenient”,
“…the instructor was great at teaching this difficult subject and always prompt at answering questions.”