So Dr. Joe...

California Poppy. Kern River Canyon, CA. Photo by Jose Saldivar.

...where did you go to school?

B.A. in Biological Sciences from CSU Fresno

Ph. D. in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine

...why did you want to become a biology teacher?

I never thought I would be a teacher. I was a pre-med student at CSU Fresno. I had the opportunity to do an internship at a hospital and realized that people in hospitals are usually very stressed: They scream, moan, yell, poop and pee all over you.  Oh by the way, they die every once in a while as well.

I realized this occupation did not fit my personality. I was still interested in science and helping people, so I decided to go to graduate school.

Medical and science research still allowed me to help patients without being directly at their bed side. One of the requirements of graduate school was to teach some Biology courses.  The first time I stepped into a college class room as a teacher, I knew that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. The rest is history.

...what are some of your hobbies?

Playing, officiating and discussing sports
Discussing current events and politics
Black and white photography
Golf
Reading
Traveling

...what are some of your favorite sayings?

"A goal without a plan is just a dream." -Herm Edwards

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” - Henry Ford

"Angels fly because they take themselves lightly."
- Ralph Barbieri

"In one day, if you laugh, think and cry,
you've had a great day." - Jim Valvano

"You don't really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." - Albert Einstein

"If at first you don't suck-seed, keep on suckin' till
you do suck-seed." - Curly, Three Stooges

"If you think money can't buy happiness,
you don't know where to shop." - David Lee Roth