Rate My Professor Joel Abraham

Joel K. Abraham is a Professor in the Department of Biological Science at California State University, Fullerton, where he joined the faculty in 2011. He earned a PhD in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BSc from Howard University. Abraham's research specializations include biology education, with emphasis on graph construction competencies, student misconceptions in genetics and evolution, simulation-based learning, and inclusive teaching practices, as well as plant ecology focusing on urban agriculture, agroecology, plant physiology, decomposition, nitrogen mineralization, childhood nutrition, food safety, and waste diversion. His lab engages in community-based studies in greenhouses, field sites, and partnerships with schools and gardens. Abraham teaches courses such as Evolution and Organismal Biology, Plant Ecology, Seminar in Biology Education, Professional Aspects of Biology: Teaching, Think Like Einstein, and Conservation Biology. He redesigned Plant Ecology to incorporate semester-long independent group projects and developed capstone experiences in biology education involving local middle school students.

As director of the Catalyst Center for the Advancement of Research in Teaching and Learning Math and Science, Abraham promotes Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), professional development for educators, and equity in STEM through programs like Catalyst Teaching Lunches and individualized career planning. Key publications include Abraham et al. (2025), 'The Graph Construction Competency Model for Biology (GCCM-Bio): A Framework for Instruction and Assessment of Graph Construction' (Bioscience); Abraham and Price (2025), 'Annotations of LSE Research: Students Identify How to Support their Transfer from Community College' (Life Sciences Education); Meir et al. (2024), 'Designing activities for teaching higher-order skills: the effects of feedback and constraint on learning experimental design' (Life Sciences Education); Shukla et al. (2022), 'Reframing educational outcomes: Moving beyond achievement gaps' (Life Sciences Education); and Price et al. (2014), 'The Genetic Drift Inventory' (CBE-Life Sciences Education). Abraham received the 2022 Carol Barnes Excellence in Teaching Award from CSUF and the 2015 Stewards of Place Award for Community Engagement. He serves as a Program Officer at the National Science Foundation's Division of Biological Infrastructure (2023-2025) and as a member of the CSUF Academic Senate representing Biological Science.