PROFILE

SAMUEL VELEZ BIOLOGY

Claim to Fame: Velez, 63, has taught at Dartmouth since 1976, and in 2007 he was rated by The Dartmouth Review as one of the College's best professors.

Ingest or Dissect? Crayfish have been Velez's subject since graduate school. These crustaceans have nerve and muscle cells that connect in a precise pattern—excellent for the study of neurobiological development, Velez and the four to six undergraduates he advises research the regeneration of neuron-muscle connections and the effects of drugs such as caffeine, melatonin and serotonin on muscle activity. According to the Review, Velez's "Crayfish Experience," where students run experiments alone in the lab during the last half semester of neurobiology, "is not to be missed." The experience simulates the rigors of independent graduate research. "It appeals to students because they don't get that type of challenge in a regular bio lab," says Velez.

CV: B.S, M.S. in biology from the Universidad de Puerto Rico (1966,1968); Ph.D. in neurophysiology from Yale University (1974); postdoctoral work in developmental neurobiology at the University of Texas (1974-76).

in the Classroom; Teaches neurobiology, physiology, human physiology and advanced neurobiology.

Off-campus Lives in Hanover with wife Myrna, senior lecturer in Spanish, with whom he has four children. Enjoys walking 30 minutes to and from campus most days. "It's my exercise, my fun time, my thinking time," says Velez.