Dr. Bridget Goldman is currently a professor at Siena College, teaching courses in Anatomy & Physiology and Nutritious Cooking for Human A&P.
Her Campus Siena: Provide a little background about yourself.
Dr. Goldman: I received my BA from one of the most diverse places on earth: Queens! At Queens College, CUNY I majored in Biology and minored in both Education and Music. I went on to complete my Ph.D. in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology at The Graduate Center in Manhattan (which is right across the street from The Empire State Building). I have a passion for nutrition and work to incorporate practical applications for health through all the courses I teach at Siena. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies I sang with choirs on every famous NYC stage you can think of from Carnegie Hall, to The NY State Theatre, to The Cathedral of St. John The Divine.
DG: I seek the truth. Science allows me to ask questions, design experiments to test hypotheses, and analyse data with the hope of understanding the world we live in. I do my best to help others through understanding scientific principles, human anatomy and physiology, nutrition and then hope they take that knowledge to make the best lifestyle choices for optimum wellness.
HCS: Tell me about some of the research you have completed throughout your career!
DG: I studied anthocyanins which are the pigment molecules that turn fruits and vegetables the varying hues of red, blue, and purple. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that protect plants from damaging free radicals. When we consume vegetables and fruits with anthocyanins, the antioxidant properties of these molecules have myriad health benefits for humans.
DG: I play the piano and I have backyard chickens (fresh eggs!).
HCS: What advice would you give an individual going into a health career?
DG: My advice for those pursuing a career in health is don’t follow the current medical model which mainly treats symptoms. Instead, work and learn to heal your patients. Lead by example and teach your patients to halt toxic ingestion of processed foods. Processed food builds inferior anatomy, then physiology can not run properly which leads one on a path toward chronic metabolic diseases (heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, NAFLD, cancer, dementia). Not to mention that it impairs the immune system so we can not fight off infectious diseases. Encourage small changes toward health. Ex. Never drink soda. By making small positive changes, it will help one look and feel better and encourage the individual to continue on a path toward health.
HCS: Any favorite memories you have while teaching at Siena?
DG: I absolutely love teaching at Siena! Siena truly has the best students and I feel privileged to work with them every year. There are so many great memories, it’s hard to choose. One of my favorite labs for Human Anatomy and Physiology II is the Nutrition lab (I was not able to run it the last two years due to SARS-CoV2). I reserve a big Siena kitchen and all of my A&P students meet early on a Saturday morning. Together, we cook all morning (I have stations set up) and it culminates in a lovely healthy REAL FOOD lunch. On that day we cook together, create together, say grace together, eat together, and connect with one another in a way that unites us as a Siena A&P Family.
Becoming more knowledgeable of what Dr. Goldman has achieved, it definitely inspired me to be more knowledgeable of the things I consume and ways of healthy eating. If your in the Health Studies or Biology major, I would highly recommend meeting with her. Not only has she had experiences in the biology, she also has great ways to implement nutritious foods into an everyday lifestyle!