Heather Ayala 

Heather earned a bachelor of science degree in biology at Azusa Pacific University. She then attained her PhD in biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame. Her research focused on the genetics of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Since then, Heather has spent 12 years teaching college-level biology at small Christian colleges throughout the country, including George Fox University, Bethel College in Indiana, Elmhurst College, Wyoming Catholic College, and currently Belmont Abbey College, where she is the department chair of biology. She has taught courses in human anatomy and physiology, organismal diversity, parasitology, genetics, general biology, molecular biology, invertebrate zoology, and environmental science. Heather met her husband, Adolfo, in graduate school at the University of Notre Dame. They both have a passion and gift for teaching and help with a local high school homeschool co-op teaching math and science. Adolfo and Heather have four children who keep them very busy with piano, tennis, and ballet. Heather enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano, and sewing. She and her family attend a traditional Latin Catholic mass chapel outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Katie Rogstad 

Katie is a teacher, wife, mom, homeschooler, science nerd, and follower of Jesus. She earned her bachelor of science in biology from the California Institute of Technology and her master of science in biochemistry from Loma Linda University. During both programs, Katie did research in labs that study the chemistry of DNA and its role in cancer, resulting in her co-authorship of 7 peer-reviewed publications. While serving as a teaching assistant and mentoring younger students, she experienced great joy in communicating the wonder of biochemistry, which led her to pursue teaching as a career. Katie homeschooled her 5 children for a number of years, during which time she also taught secondary homeschool co-op science classes, including physical science, biology, chemistry, and science enrichment. She has also taught chemistry, physics, physical science, and health in a Christian school setting. Katie is currently a Novare educator at Redlands Christian Middle School, implementing the principles of mastery, kingdom, and integration on a daily basis. Katie’s love of molecular biology, her passion for integrating faith and science, and her experience in teaching for mastery intertwine in her contributions to General Biology. Katie and her husband, Dan, have been married for more than 15 years. They and their 5 school-aged children live in Southern California, where they are actively involved in their local Evangelical Free church. In her spare time, Katie enjoys singing, playing guitar, and leading worship with her family.