Aaron Barton Sullivan (he/him/his)
Ph.D.
Faculty Lecturer
Aaron Sullivan earned his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and completed his post-doctoral studies at UC Berkeley and UCSF. His research interests have centered around the immune system of the eye, investigating diseases of the eye and the ocular biome.
Professor Sullivan’s passion for teaching began during his graduate studies at UC Berkeley, where he introduced one of his favorite topics to optometry students: the comparative anatomy of all the diverse types of visual systems found in the natural world. Building on his interest in teaching, he joined the Post-Bac Program in 2018; since then, he has taught a wide selection of courses, including Immunology, Human Anatomy and Biochemistry. His approach to teaching is inspired by his mentor, Ellen Robey, emphasizing a fun learning environment which is both challenging and world-expanding.
Professor Sullivan feels that post-bac students are a joy to teach. They challenge him to think more deeply about lecture topics and to find answers to their interesting questions if he does not have them at hand. Getting letters from his former students telling him about their academic successes is a rewarding experience and this, in turn, inspires him to become a better instructor every year.
When not on campus, Professor Sullivan enjoys spending time with his family. Additionally, he is an avid board and video gamer. He loves sci-fi, crafting his own beer and embarking on the occasional woodworking project.