Author Biographies

		Microbiology Talaro, Talaro
		About the Authors

Author Biographies

Kathleen Park Talaro is a microbiologist, author, illustrator, photographer, and educator at Pasadena City College.

Kathy has had a keen interest in biology and microbiology ever since she was a child. From her earliest youth on a farm in Blackfoot, Idaho, she was drawn naturally to science and to observing the living world. Her curiosity extended to plants, insects, amphibians, and farm animals, but it was the amazing idea of the tiny creatures swimming around in her father's fishpond that most riveted her attention. Growing up in this small, nurturing community with a supportive family helped her develop skills as an artist and writer, starting with her first small book (a cowboy story) at the tender age of 6 years. This desire to create with words and pictures found an outlet in journalism classes and the high school newspaper staff. All the while, she sharpened her science knowledge by participating in science fairs and classes.

She began her college education at Idaho State University in Pocatello. Again, she found a niche that fit her particular abilities and interests, spending part of her time as a scientific illustrator for one of her professors and part as a biology lab assistant. After graduation with a B.S. in biology, she entered graduate school at Arizona State University, majoring in physiological ecology. During this time, she was married (to Arthur Talaro), had a daughter, Nicole, and participated in two research expeditions to British Columbia with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Excited by the diversity and career opportunities available in California, she moved to Pasadena and began working as a microbiologist at Pasadena City College. Kathy continued to expand her background, first finishing a Masters degree at Occidental College, and later taking additional specialized coursework in microbiology at California Institute of Technology and California State University.

If there is one continuing theme reverberating through Kathy's experiences, it is the love of education and teaching. She has been teaching allied health microbiology and major's biology courses for nearly 25 years. "It is so exciting to watch the students and their early awareness of microorganisms--when they first come face-to-face with the reality of them on their hands, in the air, in their food, and, of course, nearly everywhere. At first, they obsess a little bit about "germs" and handwashing, but in time, I see the light in their eyes as they begin to understand and apply what they have learned in a sophisticated way. My students come back to visit after going on to professional schools and emphasize the life-changing effect this learning and knowledge of the microscopic realm has had on them."

Kathy is a member of the American Society for Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She keeps active in self-study and research, and continues to attend workshops and conferences to remain current in her field. Her special interests are general medical microbiology and biotechnology. She has been actively involved in science outreach programs for young people by teaching Saturday workshops in microbiology and DNA technology to high school and junior high students.

Arthur Talaro