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Faculty Director
Professor Marion Preest has been a member of the Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges since 1999. She received tenure in 2002 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2009. She served as Interim Dean of the department from 2014-2017 and assumed the role of Faculty Director for the Scripps Post-baccalaureate Program in 2018.
Professor Preest is an animal physiological ecologist, particularly interested in the physiology and ecology of energetics, thermal biology, and osmoregulatory physiology. She received her B.Sc. (Hons) from University of Otago, New Zealand and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University. She spent 3 years in a Postdoctoral position at San Diego State University working on hummingbird physiology and 3 years as an Assistant Professor at University of Miami.
Her published research includes papers on chemical prey attraction in chameleons (Preest et al. 2016. Physiol. Biochem. Physiol. 89:110-117), stress responses in lizards (Preest, and Cree. 2008. Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 81: 641-650; Preest et al. 2005. J. Exp. Zool. 303A: 823-835), ionoregulation in fishes (Preest et al. 2005. Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 78: 259-272; Gonzalez and Preest. 1999. Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 72: 156-163), physiology of hummingbirds (Beuchat et al., J. Morph. 240: 95-100; Preest et al., 2003. The Auk 120: 1091-1101; Preest and Beuchat. 1997. Nature 386: 561-562), and recommendations for the use of live amphibians in classrooms (Mendelson et al. 2009. Herpetological Review 40:142-144). She has twice received the Mary W. Johnson Faculty Achievement Award in Scholarship from Scripps College.
Marion regularly offers lecture and lab courses in Introductory Biology, Vertebrate Physiology, Herpetology, and Physiological Ecology.
Director
DeEttra Mulay became Director of the Scripps Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program in 2010 after serving as an Associate Dean of Students at Scripps College. She brings to the job professional experience in advising, orientation programming, new student programs, student activities, diversity programming, and career advising. She is currently an active member of both regional and national medical professional organizations and regularly attends national conferences related to current events in medical school admission.
After earning her BA from California Lutheran University, DeEttra obtained an MS in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University. When not on campus, DeEttra enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
“The Scripps Post-Bac program is truly a place to change your life!” says DeEttra.” I am inspired by the men and women in our program who make the decision to follow a passion to become health care providers. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to personally advise each student. Through this process, I get to know our students, both personally and professionally, as they complete the program and apply to professional school.”
Administrative Coordinator
Messina Zurbuch became the Administrative Coordinator in 2016 after working as Technical Assistant to the Registrar at Scripps College. She brings with her a professional and calm presence while assisting the Post-Bac office and students.
Messina received her B.A. in Studio Art from University of La Verne with a concentration in Sculpture. When away from the office, Messina loves to spend time with family – usually camping, creating art, practicing yoga, and running trails.