Faculty

Dr. Barcin Acar

E. Barçın Acar, Ph.D., earned her master's and doctorate from Oregon State University. Her research project was on mosquito host seeking behavior and incorporated testing the efficacy of repellents. She completed her postdoctoral appointment at Brigham Young University, studying olfaction and metabolic activities of beneficial insects. She was a project scientist at Intellectual Ventures Lab working on highly publicized Photonic Fence project in addition to being principal investigator on mosquito related projects. She also contributed to the five-volume cookbook Modernist Cuisine. Her teaching experience includes faculty appointments at Utah Valley State College, Renton Technical College and Lake Washington Institute of Technology teaching Majors Biology, Environmental Biology, Intro to A&P, A&P, Human Nutrition, Infectious and Chronic Diseases and Microbiology. Her teaching interests include scientific literacy, STEM, undergraduate research experience, inclusive science curriculum and open educational resources. 

Kimberly McClure, Ph.D.

Kimberly McClure is a full-time faculty member of the Science department at LWTech. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, Seattle, where her research focused on tissue regeneration using the animal model Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly). Kimberly then pursued research in the field of neurogenetics with a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Her previous work experience includes teaching as a Lecturer/Adjunct Faculty at University of Washington, Tacoma, Seattle University, Edmonds Community College, and Elmhurst College.

Michael Rodriguez

Michael has worked in education for 10 years, and this is his fourth year at LWTech teaching biology, anatomy, and physiology courses. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU) while leading an undergraduate research project examining fresh-water turtle endocrinology as a bio-indicator of ecosystem health. Michael earned his Master’s Degree in Behavioral Ecology from the University of Colorado, with an emphasis in tropical ant foraging and nesting behavior culminating in a research thesis. For two years, he helped build curricula for Temple Grandin School in Colorado, serving students diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and similar learning profiles, while teaching MS and HS science and math among other socio-academic classes.

Michael is Chair of the LWTech Applied Research Committee and successfully organized the first technical and community college Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Pacific Northwest. He uses passion and enthusiasm to engage his students, preparing them for today’s careers and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Amber Wyman

Amber Wyman, Ph.D., received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in zoology. She received her doctorate from the University of Rochester (NY) in toxicology, studying the effects of dioxin (TCDD) on the bone marrow development of B cell lineages. Her postdoctoral appointment was at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, studying receptors that modulate the immune system’s response to tumor cells.

Amber's teaching experience began in 2005 and includes adjunct positions at North Seattle, Edmonds, and Green River Colleges, as well as 10 years full-time at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY. She also has experience in emergency medicine, having practiced as an EMT/Paramedic in New York for five years. Amber has taught classes in general biology, chemistry, nutrition, pathophysiology, paramedicine and human biology, but is most often found teaching anatomy and physiology. She is passionate about science education, and helping her students find a way into difficult topics in science to build a foundation for their further education and studies in their chosen programs. She is also a practitioner of the 4 Connections with her classes.

Amber will be the Natural Science Faculty Director beginning in 2022 Fall quarter.

Judy Mattson

Judy Mattson, Instructional Support Technician II, has work for the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Science department since 2010. She earned her bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University majoring in Biology/Chemistry and has successful earned her certificate in Biotechnology from Seattle Central in 2009. Prior Work experience is in the field of Biotechnology.