SEPAL Graduate Students
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William (Will) DengAbout MeI came to SF State after getting my B.S. in Biological Science & Earth System Science from UC Irvine. While I’m interested in the natural sciences (huge nature/outdoorsy person), I also really love teaching and working with students. I had the opportunity to work as a peer tutor (similar roles to that of a learning assistant) during my undergrad, and that experience solidified my passion in teaching. I am also one of the many GTA’s within our Biology Department — I hope to see you in one of my classes someday! When I’m not in the classroom, you can catch me exploring one of our many beautiful marine reserves and tide pools, or at trading card shows and retail stores browsing Pokémon trading cards (ask me about my collection : )). Research InterestsBroadly, I’m interested in instructor language and how that affects student behavior and learning outcomes. Recently, there has been growing research on Instructor Talk: non-content related language used in the classroom. Such language can have significant impacts on feelings of belonging and thus student success. As an instructor, one of my primary goals is to create a safe, positive classroom where students feel respected and welcome; I hope for this work to provide additional knowledge in that area. |
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Glenda NivenAbout MeI am a first-generation college student who earned my B.S. in Marine Biology and Limnology from San Francisco State University. Alongside my academic pursuits, I built a professional career in higher education communications and currently work in marketing and outreach at SFSU. My background in marine science, combined with my professional experience in communication strategy, information design, and content development, has shaped my interests in marine science communication, informal science education, and public understanding of ocean conservation topics. Research InterestsMy research is focused on exploring how invisible coastal and marine stressors, such as ocean acidification, hypoxia, and microplastics, are communicated to non-scientific audiences. Through this work, I seek to better understand the messaging strategies and communication choices used by informal science education centers when presenting information on complex ocean health issues in their public exhibits. |
