Dr. Fins describes herself as a knowledge omnivore with interests in science, people and cultures, natural resourceS and social issues, environmental economics and sustainable management and living. Her diverse degrees in Psychology (B.A.), Forestry (M.S.) and Genetics (Ph.D.) are evidence of her passion for connecting people, natural resources and science. She began teaching as a graduate student at Colorado State University where she taught “Dendrology” (tree taxonomy and evolution). She continued as a teaching assistant in “Resource Genetics” at the University of California and has taught a diversity of courses at the University of Idaho, including “Forest Genetics”, “Forest Ecosystem Management”, “Fire, Myth and Mankind”, “Society and Natural Resources”, and “The Natural History and Culture of Chocolate." Her research has focused primarily on population genetics of forest trees, with emphasis on blister rust resistance in western white pine. For 21 years, as Director of the Inland Empire Tree Improvement Cooperative, she provided leadership and education in forest genetics and tree improvement in the Inland Northwest. Her current research on whitebark pine populations in the Frank Church Wilderness Area has taken her to places of astonishing and inspiring beauty. She enjoys contact with students and had particular fun teaching the class on chocolate. As a hobby, Dr. Fins enjoys acting in local, university and regional theatre. Her performances in 2008 include the roles of Nat in “Rabbit Hole,” Aunt Lou in “Trio with Flute,” Shaindl in “Fiddler on the Roof” and a monologue as Ruth in “Collected Stories.”