Dra. Heidy Contreras
@chapinaphd.bsky.social
Insect wrangling parental unit, lover of cheese, loves to read, dance, and creating safe, equitable learning environments in STEM.
Comparative Physiology 🐛🪳🦂🐸
STEM Education 🤓🥼
Water Quality 💧 🚰
Budding drummer 🥁
Comparative Physiology 🐛🪳🦂🐸
STEM Education 🤓🥼
Water Quality 💧 🚰
Budding drummer 🥁
Up for tenure this year and spent the first couple of months of the semester working on my portfolio, prepping a new Entomology course (and lab), teaching first year Biology, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in my lab. I'm barely dragging to the end. It's only getting busier!
November 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Up for tenure this year and spent the first couple of months of the semester working on my portfolio, prepping a new Entomology course (and lab), teaching first year Biology, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in my lab. I'm barely dragging to the end. It's only getting busier!
As a response to all the crazy things happening lately, and to provide a way for students to feel empowered I along with some of my research students started Scientists Supporting People Advocating for Community Equity. They have been so busy this semester reaching out to our communities!
November 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
As a response to all the crazy things happening lately, and to provide a way for students to feel empowered I along with some of my research students started Scientists Supporting People Advocating for Community Equity. They have been so busy this semester reaching out to our communities!
It's research time in the Contreras Lab!
November 22, 2025 at 5:56 AM
It's research time in the Contreras Lab!
Wowza this semester has been crazy busy! We are in the middle of research in all my teaching labs. I love seeing students fall in love with science! Undergrads and grad students are also filling my lab, trying to finish up/starts projects. It's like Christmas up in here (but also exhausting).
November 19, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Wowza this semester has been crazy busy! We are in the middle of research in all my teaching labs. I love seeing students fall in love with science! Undergrads and grad students are also filling my lab, trying to finish up/starts projects. It's like Christmas up in here (but also exhausting).
Decided that the world needs more people to be curious about the natural world. So, I started a kids program on the topic of sound ecology. So far, they have learned about the physics of sound, the science behind sound recording, and then went to capture nature sounds. Natureunmuted.com
July 20, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Decided that the world needs more people to be curious about the natural world. So, I started a kids program on the topic of sound ecology. So far, they have learned about the physics of sound, the science behind sound recording, and then went to capture nature sounds. Natureunmuted.com
Now, this might be a silly question, but to all of you freshwater scientists out there: What is the best wader you have used? In one week of field work, two out of our 3 waders sprung a leak. Any suggestions are appreciated!
June 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Now, this might be a silly question, but to all of you freshwater scientists out there: What is the best wader you have used? In one week of field work, two out of our 3 waders sprung a leak. Any suggestions are appreciated!
We made it home! Next week is data analysis time. On the drive back, one student said: This was honestly a life changing trip!
Music to a mentor! Thank you @keithkueny.bsky.social
Music to a mentor! Thank you @keithkueny.bsky.social
June 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
We made it home! Next week is data analysis time. On the drive back, one student said: This was honestly a life changing trip!
Music to a mentor! Thank you @keithkueny.bsky.social
Music to a mentor! Thank you @keithkueny.bsky.social
There's no better workplace than this! The canal we are surveying will soon have a floating solar panel. We are interested in studying the aquatic ecology of the area before/after. We shared space with golden eagles, terns, pelicans, and a river otter!
June 26, 2025 at 7:21 AM
There's no better workplace than this! The canal we are surveying will soon have a floating solar panel. We are interested in studying the aquatic ecology of the area before/after. We shared space with golden eagles, terns, pelicans, and a river otter!
Water samples packed and sent off to our collaborators! We are so excited to get results back soon!
June 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Water samples packed and sent off to our collaborators! We are so excited to get results back soon!
Field work means spending the day in beautiful places, shared with Osprey, Bald Eagles, countless dragonflies, lady bugs, and bees! After 15 hours, we were 4 very tired but very happy people with tons of water samples and macroinvertebrates to analyze. @csusb.bsky.social @keithkueny.bsky.social
June 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Field work means spending the day in beautiful places, shared with Osprey, Bald Eagles, countless dragonflies, lady bugs, and bees! After 15 hours, we were 4 very tired but very happy people with tons of water samples and macroinvertebrates to analyze. @csusb.bsky.social @keithkueny.bsky.social
Prepping and calibrating equipment at our AirBnB is the definition of field work. We are ready to collect water samples and conduct our macroinvertebrate surveys!
June 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Prepping and calibrating equipment at our AirBnB is the definition of field work. We are ready to collect water samples and conduct our macroinvertebrate surveys!
Day two of our trip to Oregon. We made it to Klamath Falls after a bit of hiking and some good eats. First thing we visited in Oregon was our field site. We saw lots of birds and 2 deer there!
June 21, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Day two of our trip to Oregon. We made it to Klamath Falls after a bit of hiking and some good eats. First thing we visited in Oregon was our field site. We saw lots of birds and 2 deer there!
The Contreras lab on a roadtrip to Oregon to do some science! @keithkueny.bsky.social thanks for this opportunity! One day into the trip, not even there yet, and we are ecstatic!
June 20, 2025 at 4:08 AM
The Contreras lab on a roadtrip to Oregon to do some science! @keithkueny.bsky.social thanks for this opportunity! One day into the trip, not even there yet, and we are ecstatic!
Field work Day #2!
June 11, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Field work Day #2!
DAY 1 of our summer field work @csusb
June 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
DAY 1 of our summer field work @csusb
Some of my 2024 -2025 research students (5 are not pictured here). Three graduated this Saturday, one graduated in the Winter, one has a cool summer research gig lined up, and 2 are my family. :) Transitions are hard, I hate saying goodbye to students but at the same time I am SO PROUD!
May 20, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Some of my 2024 -2025 research students (5 are not pictured here). Three graduated this Saturday, one graduated in the Winter, one has a cool summer research gig lined up, and 2 are my family. :) Transitions are hard, I hate saying goodbye to students but at the same time I am SO PROUD!
So proud of all of my students! I can't believe I am living my dream by making other people's dreams come true!
May 19, 2025 at 3:32 AM
So proud of all of my students! I can't believe I am living my dream by making other people's dreams come true!
That time of the year when 1st year Biology students showcase their semester long research. All of this learning without funding. Imagine how much we could do if science was supported! I was writing a grant to support this work, due date was May 31st. The current administration defunded it.
May 7, 2025 at 10:10 PM
That time of the year when 1st year Biology students showcase their semester long research. All of this learning without funding. Imagine how much we could do if science was supported! I was writing a grant to support this work, due date was May 31st. The current administration defunded it.
My research lab and Club SSPACE spreading some science love at the CSUSB CNS Science Carnival this week.
April 26, 2025 at 11:49 PM
My research lab and Club SSPACE spreading some science love at the CSUSB CNS Science Carnival this week.
My Principles of Biology I course is at the point of data collection for their drinking water quality projects. It's my favorite part of the year!
April 24, 2025 at 1:46 PM
My Principles of Biology I course is at the point of data collection for their drinking water quality projects. It's my favorite part of the year!
CSUSB Club SSPACE doing their thing spreading community and knowledge about the ramifications of federal funding cuts to science.
April 23, 2025 at 12:58 AM
CSUSB Club SSPACE doing their thing spreading community and knowledge about the ramifications of federal funding cuts to science.
Seeing my students grow professionally is a kind of love that is hard to define. I absolutely love my students. Each of them decided to pursue graduate school after their experience in my lab. I can't wait to hear their stories and how they end up changing the world!
April 13, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Seeing my students grow professionally is a kind of love that is hard to define. I absolutely love my students. Each of them decided to pursue graduate school after their experience in my lab. I can't wait to hear their stories and how they end up changing the world!
My best comes out when I am surrounded by tropical rainforests. My first time at El Yunke National Forest did not disappoint. I am hoping this place, and all the rangers, will still be here 4 years from now.
April 4, 2025 at 2:00 AM
My best comes out when I am surrounded by tropical rainforests. My first time at El Yunke National Forest did not disappoint. I am hoping this place, and all the rangers, will still be here 4 years from now.
"Poo-tee-weet"
March 27, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Poo-tee-weet"
I have a meeting coming up in Puerto Rico, and I am honestly concerned about whether I will come back home. I'm still going because I'm not letting their fear mongering work, but it's 100% on my mind.
How Dictators Work!
People disappear in the night and are typically never seen again!
Now is the time to scream and yell at the top of your lungs
while we can still support each other
People disappear in the night and are typically never seen again!
Now is the time to scream and yell at the top of your lungs
while we can still support each other
March 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I have a meeting coming up in Puerto Rico, and I am honestly concerned about whether I will come back home. I'm still going because I'm not letting their fear mongering work, but it's 100% on my mind.