By Irina Motilla
CIS University Professor Susana García Tíscar discovered her passion for education almost by chance. A biologist devoted to marine ecosystems, Dr. Tíscar inspires students to think critically and appreciate the natural world in class every day.
Could you tell us your areas of expertise both within CIS University and in your work outside of it?
I am a marine ecologist, which is a scientist who studies marine ecosystems. Essentially, what I do, or what I started doing, is interaction between marine mammals, like dolphins, killer whales, and fisheries. Then I moved to the interaction of fisheries not only with marine mammals but with the whole ecosystem. After that, I moved on to marine protected areas. So, right now, I’m trying to figure out how fisheries affect marine protected areas and marine ecosystems, especially in southern Spain.
At CIS University, I started teaching Environmental Issues seven years ago. After that, they needed someone who could teach science-related topics, so I started with Statistics and Business Computers.
What inspired your transition from working primarily as a marine ecologist to teaching subjects like Environmental Issues at CIS University?
I didn’t have any teaching experience at the time, but they needed a teacher for Environmental Issues, and I needed a job, so I decided to give it a try, and I fell in love with teaching. I really, really love it. CIS University opened a completely new field for me, and I really enjoy it. After that, they offered me the possibility to teach other classes, and of course, I said “yes”.
Was it challenging to shift from working as a marine ecologist to becoming a teacher in a different field?
It was challenging! The first year was difficult because it was completely new for me. I didn’t know how I was going to feel; I didn’t know if I was going to be able to teach, to actually teach something to my students. But it all went really smoothly. It was just about telling my students what I had done in the past and what was happening in nature and the environment.
Do you still find ways to stay connected to your passion?
Yes, I still do research on marine protected areas. In fact, next month I’m going to go to an experts’ meeting of ecotrophic modelling, which is a very specific part of what I do, with experts from all around Spain, so yes, I’m still actively engaged in both areas.
How do you bring your scientific mindset into teaching Business Computers and Environmental Issues?
It’s a difficult path, but what I try to help my students understand is that science is simply a method for answering questions. We need to be as objective as possible and work to avoid confirmation bias, for example. We must apply all our critical thinking to truly understand the world we live in. This applies not only to science classes, like Statistics or Environmental Issues, but also to other subjects. For instance, in a computer class, which is very practical, the goal is to teach students tools that can help them perform better in other classes. The Business Computers class has two parts. The first focuses on technical skills, such as learning Excel, which is essential for statistics, for example. The second part involves understanding how we use technology in our lives. We explore this during the presentations at the beginning of each class, reflecting on whether we are using technology or if technology is using us. That’s where I bring my scientific mindset into the class.
Who inspires you the most in your career?
I find inspiration in many places. My PhD supervisor was a great mentor who taught me so much, and I’ll always be grateful. My father also inspired me, taking me to the mountains and ocean as a child, which made biology the natural career choice. I’m also deeply inspired by Jane Goodall, who reminded us that every day we leave a footprint on this planet, and we must choose what kind of footprint to leave. Every morning when I wake up, I ask myself: what footprint will I leave today?
Are there any books, articles, or resources you would recommend for someone interested in your field?
Yes, there are plenty of books I love, but one that stands out is The Sense of Wonder. It’s about how to truly appreciate nature, the incredible things we often take for granted. When you really stop and think about them, it’s mind-blowing. Another favorite is The Secret Life of Plants, which shows that plants communicate with each other and respond to the various stimuli they receive from their environment.