David Wagner
David Wagner is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology where he teaches courses in global change ecology, conservation, entomology, and scientific writing, as well as off-campus courses tied to the biodiversity and climate crises. He has great enthusiasm for the wonder, beauty, and necessity of nature, and the urgent need to collectively build a sustainable and more equitable future. Underlying his teaching is a deep-seated want for his student’s successes, and understanding of their strengths, challenges, and aspirations—as they are our future—we need them to succeed, seek truth, lead, and affect positive change.
Vindya Pathirana
Vindya Pathirana is an associate professor in residence in the Department of Mathematics at the Waterbury campus. She teaches various undergraduate courses, including Calculus, Business Calculus, and Differential Equations. Additionally, she serves as the Coordinator of Math Tutoring at UConn Waterbury. Throughout her time at the university, she has taken on multiple roles, including serving as a member of the Undergraduate Program Committee, the Teaching Task Force, the P&R Dossier Committee for APiRs, and the CLAS Scholarship Committee.
As an instructor, Dr. Pathirana (often referred to as Dr. V) is dedicated to exploring adaptive learning strategies that foster an inclusive environment, accommodating students with diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and levels of preparation. She is passionate about project-based learning, which helps students have a positive experience in mathematics while allowing them to see real-world applications. This approach emphasizes the importance of making connections across multiple disciplines.
Michael Zacchera
Michael Zacchera, MA, NRP, is an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Allied Health Sciences on UConn’s Storrs campus. He teaches the EMT Training course and is the advisor for the student group UConn Rescue. Mike has been an EMS provider since 1987. He completed his paramedic training in Pittsburgh and has worked in a variety of pre-hospital and hospital positions since then. Mike earned an Associate degree in physical therapy assisting from Penn State University, a Bachelor’s in EMS Management from Charter Oak State College, and has his Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Mike joined Allied Health as an Adjunct in 2012. Mike sits on a number of statewide EMS boards and committees and currently works full time for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, where he is the Mobile Integrated Healthcare Coordinator.
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