The Ethel Walker School
Science
Jeff Gonzalez
Middle School Science/STEAM Faculty
Dr. Julia Sheldon P'20, '23
Science Faculty
Dr. Julia Sheldon P’20, ’23 began teaching science at Walker’s in 1998. Her childhood fascination with the natural world led her to love science and eventually to pursue a degree in chemistry at the University of California at San Diego. During her time at UCSD, Julia became a certified SCUBA diver and worked in a research lab studying fish physiology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Julia also discovered a passion for teaching through serving as a teaching assistant and mentoring low income, first-generation college students in the Ronald McNair program at UCSD. After college, Julia continued her research and teaching at Yale University, where she earned a Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry while studying the interactions between DNA and the proteins that begin the cellular process of transcription.
At Walker’s, Julia is passionate about engaging students in science by encouraging them to observe the environment around them and to explore how science can help them understand and improve their world. A highlight of her career was being named a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, which allowed her to travel on an expedition to the Arctic and to develop and teach an interdisciplinary elective course about Climate Change at Walker’s. Julia also co-developed and co-teaches Honors Scientific Research in Antibiotic Discovery, Walker’s research-based science course that guides students to search for new antibiotics in response to the worldwide antibiotic resistance crisis. In addition, she has held several administrative roles at Walker’s including Science Department Chair, Co-Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Studies.
Julia has embarked on several more educational travel experiences over the past few years: two visits to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic, a safari to learn about climate change and sustainability in Tanzania, and an expedition to Antarctica with a cohort of female and nonbinary leaders in STEMM with Homeward Bound. She uses these experiences in the classroom to help her students to become engaged and informed citizens of the world.
Read Full Profile
Sandra Quinlan P'16
Chemistry Faculty
Sandra joined The Ethel Walker School in the fall of 2006 and, since then, has taught many courses in the science department, including Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Biology, Honors Biology, Physics 9, Honors Physics 9, Physics 11-12, and Human Biology (Middle School). In addition, she served as the Junior Project Coordinator for over 15 years. Sandra earned her master’s degree in Chemistry from Syracuse University and spent the early part of her career working in the pharmaceutical industry. Sandra was a research assistant in Discovery at Pfizer, then a research scientist in Process Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb for 11 years before transitioning to teaching.
Sandra is currently co-teaching a new course, Research in Molecular Genetics (Stan-X class) and has developed and maintained a research fly lab on campus.
Dr. Suzanne Piela P’22, '28
Science Faculty
Suzanne joined The Ethel Walker School in the fall of 2007 and since then has taught AP Biology, Advanced Biology, Honors Biology, General Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Biochemistry, Equine Science, and an independent study in Microbiology. Suzanne earned her B.S. in Biology at the University of Notre Dame and her D.V.M. at the University of Minnesota. She also did a small animal internship in medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, MA.
Suzanne practiced as a small animal veterinarian for 10 years before transitioning to teaching. Prior to her role at Walker’s, she worked as a park naturalist and taught ecology at the elementary level, and worked as a middle and high school science and math tutor.
Suzanne is currently the Science Department Chair, coaches JV Tennis, and loves to ride at Walker’s barn when she has time.
Read Full Profile
Dr. Emma Mitchell
Science Department Chair, Physics Faculty
A graduate of an all-girls independent secondary school, Emma earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics from Vassar College and her Ph.D. in Engineering Physics from the University of Virginia. Her doctoral research was in laboratory astrophysics and astrochemistry, focusing on thermal and radiation processing of frozen water in astronomical environments. She has received fellowships from both the NASA Earth and Space Science Program and the NASA Virginia Space Grant Consortium. She has been teaching at Walker’s since 2016. Emma also serves as President-Elect of the American Modeling Teachers Association, a non-profit organization that provides professional development in the Modeling Instruction guided-inquiry approach to teaching science. In her free time, Emma is also a passionate cook and baker.
Read Full Profile
Dr. Melissa Bernardo
Science Faculty
Melissa joined Walker’s in 2017 after completing her Ph.D. in Biology from Wesleyan University. Her dissertation dealt with nutrient-mediated manipulation of host-feeding behavior by a parasitoid. Melissa has taught a range of topics at the university level and brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to Walker’s chemistry, biology and environmental science classes. She also coaches volleyball and softball.
Read Full Profile