June 24, 2011

Faculty Profile on Tamily Weissman-Unni

2011-2012 Faculty Profile Q&A

Assistant Professor of Biology
Profile 

 

Education
 PhD 2004 Columbia University; MA 1998 Harvard University Extension School, Boston University; BA 1992 Pomona College

Research & Teaching Interests
 Neurobiology research, zebrafish 

What most excites you about joining the LC community?
 In no particular order:  1) An amazing group of colleagues; 2) Sharing my neuroscience research with undergraduates; 3) Teaching classes in LC’s small college setting; 4) Further developing a neuroscience focus for students; 5) Living in Portland after a long time in Boston and New York (I grew up near Seattle.); 6) Perhaps most of all, I am looking forward to simply working with and getting to know LC students – in class, in lab, and outside of class & lab!

What kind of hobbies or special activities do you enjoy outside of work?
 I have 2 adorable little girls who take up most of my free time outside of work (one was just born this past fall).  When they actually let me get enough sleep, I love biking, running, hiking, cross-country skiing, cooking, and making art.  I also sing.

What were your childhood goals/aspirations?
 I always had a lot of interests and it took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do.  (I can totally relate to the student who hasn’t quite figured this out yet.)  At different times I wanted to be a journalist, professional musician, politician, doctor, or artist.  Since college though, I have wanted to be a professor at a small college, and I feel very lucky to be starting to live this dream now with my young, incredibly supportive family.

What are you listening to in your car right now?
 Depends on my mood.  Yo La Tengo is my all-time favorite band (indie rock), but I love many other different kinds of music as well, like bhangra and hip-hop (even  some rap).  Often I crave classical music or even kids’ songs, musicals, or bagpipes (!).  

What was your favorite childhood story?
 I spent my early childhood in England and this question brought back rich memories of stories I haven’t thought about in many years.  I don’t know which was my favorite, but I remember loving Beatrix Potter (e.g Peter Rabbit).