“My father’s favorite story about me: When I was five years old our family dog, Benji, died and my father buried her in the backyard. About a week later, I asked him if we could dig her up because I wanted to see what she looked like. Thankfully he had the presence of mind not to allow this. He did, however, dig her skull up on his own at some point. I have Benji’s skull to this day.”
Dr. Caroline Clark Rivera has been teaching human biology, human anatomy and physiology, and anthropology at the undergraduate and graduate levels at community colleges and universities for nearly two decades. She has coupled her extensive scientific background in gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and endocrinology with her deep interest in true crime in a podcast called Serial Killer Brains (SkB pod) in which she attempts to answer the age-old question of nature versus nurture among sexually motivated serial killers. Focusing on the biological and psychological factors responsible for the creation of these monsters, Caroline metaphorically dissects the brains of some the country’s most heinous serial killers.
A self-proclaimed “unnatural-scientist”, Caroline demystifies complex matters of human anatomy and physiology using simplistic examples told with unpretentious language. Caroline is able to break down complex structures and pathways in the brain into bite-sized chunks in layman’s terms, thus making them accessible to anyone.
Caroline has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Master’s degree in Forensic Anthropology, Master’s degree in Biology – All But Dissertation in Biomedical Sciences PhD, and a PhD in Community College Leadership. She is currently a full-time biology professor at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, FL.