Seminar Series

Upcoming Seminar

Understanding Life Without Oxygen Through Observations of Mussels and Worms
Dr. Kwasi Connor, UC Irvine

April 23, 2026
4:00pm-5:00pm via Zoom

Join 4/23 Zoom
Meeting ID: 845 7121 0189

Image

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York City, my formative years were defined by two great passions: music and athletics. These early interests cultivated a discipline and creativity that would later inform my scientific career. After relocating to Pasadena, California, I completed my secondary education at Pasadena High School before pursuing undergraduate studies at Morehouse College, where I earned a degree in accounting—a pragmatic choice designed to ensure professional stability upon graduation.

Following several years as a practicing accountant, I found my enthusiasm for the field waning. This period of professional reflection catalyzed a transformative career pivot: I enrolled in California State University, Los Angeles, where I simultaneously pursued a teaching credential and a Master's degree in Biology. During this time, I engaged in marine biology research, investigating the ecological dynamics of mussel populations. However, my burgeoning passion for research ultimately superseded my plans to enter secondary education.

Compelled by my interest in marine systems, I pursued doctoral studies at the University of Southern California (USC), where I specialized in the molecular biology of mussels. Upon completing my Ph.D., I was honored to receive a UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Irvine, followed by a research appointment at USC Medical School. Subsequently, I served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at California Lutheran University for two years before being recruited to UC Irvine in 2019 as an Assistant Professor in the "Physiology Group."

My laboratory currently investigates the molecular biology of facultative anaerobic animals, marine mussels and terrestrial worms, in their response to complex environmental challenges.