Jerry Tortora is Professor of Biology Coordinator at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, where he teaches human anatomy and physiology as well as microbiology. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and his master's degree in science education from Montclair State College. He is a member of many professional organizations, including the Hyman Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), the American Society of Microbiology (ASM), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), National Education Association (NEA), and the Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists (MACUB). Above all, Jerry is devoted to his students and their aspirations. In recognition of this commitment, Jerry was the recipient of MACUB's 1992 President's Memorial Award. In 1996, he received a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) excellence award from the University of Texas and was selected to represent Bergen Community College in a campaign to increase awareness of the contributions of community colleges to higher education. Jerry is the author of several best-selling science textbooks and laboratory manuals, a calling that often requires an additional 40 hours per week beyond his teaching responsibilities. Nevertheless, he still makes time for four or five weekly aerobic workouts that include biking and running. He also enjoys attending college basketball and professional hockey games and performances at the Metropolitan Opera House. Mark Nielsen is a Professor in the Department of biology at the University of Utah and for the past twenty-one years has taught anatomy and its related subjects to over 16,000 students. In addition to teaching human anatomy in the Department of biology, he also teaches neuroantomy, embryology, a human dissection course, a teaching human anatomy course, and assist with the comparative vertebrate morphology course. he developed the anatomy course for the physician assistant program at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He developed and continues to help maintain the anatomy and physiology program for the Utah college of Massage Therapy (presently the largest massage school in the United States) and taught his program there for twelve years during its inception and development. His graduate training is in anatomy and his anatomy expertise has a strong basis in dissection. He has prepared and participated in hundreds of dissections of both humans and other vertebrate animals. All his courses incorporate a cadaver-based component in the training with an outstanding exposure to cadaver anatomy. He is a member of the American Association of Anatomists (AAA), the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), and the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI). Mark has a passion for teaching anatomy and sharing his knowledge with his students. In addition to the many students he has taught, he has trained and mentored 900 students who have worked in his anatomy laboratory as teaching assistants. His concern for students and his teaching excellence have been acknowledged through numerous awards. He received the prestigious Presidential Teaching Scholar Award at the University of Utah, is a five-time recipient of the University of Utah Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teacher and Mentor, a two time winner of the Outstanding Teacher n the Physician Assistant Program, recipient of the American Massage Therapy Association Jerome Perlinski Teacher of the Year Award, and a two time recipient of Who's Who Among America's Teachers.
