Dr. Maria Carles shares her lifelong fascination with the natural world with her NECC students.

Dr. Maria Carles has had a lifelong fascination with the natural world and all living organisms. She shares this fascination with her students, hoping to awaken their own curiosity and interest in life sciences.

Since 2011, Carles has been teaching and sharing her interest in science with NECC students in Anatomy & Physiology, Clinical Microbiology, Human Biology, Human Health & Nutrition, and Microbiology.

She uses a variety of tactics to make complex material accessible to her students. In addition to lectures and hands on activities using elaborate, anatomical models of skulls, hearts, eyes, and organ systems, she engages her students by turning the tables and asking them questions that relate to real life situations, such as bases for inherited diseases.

“That way, they can relate what they learn in the classroom with their own lives and better remember the material presented to them,” she says.

For Carles, an eager student is her best student. A native of Panama, Carles was once an eager student of science herself which led to a first career as a scientist.

Carles earned a bachelor’s in zoology, a post baccalaureate in clinical microbiology, a master’s in immunology, and a PhD in biomedical sciences with a specialization in immunology/drug targeting.

She prides herself in having a hand in training the next wave of scientists, biologists, microbiologists, and medical professionals.

“I believe science opens the doors to a variety of careers and work opportunities,” she says.

Northern Essex offers associate degrees in biology, laboratory science, liberal arts: physical science as well as associate degrees in a number of health care programs including nursing, respiratory care, medical laboratory technology and radiologic technology.

“We aim to prepare our students to work or continue with their studies in four-year colleges and universities,” she says.