Dr. Lia Gavazzi

Education 

• B.S. The Pennsylvania State University (2017)
• B.A. The Pennsylvania State University (2017)
• M.A. The Pennsylvania State University (2017)
• Ph.D. Kent State University (2023)

Biography

Dr. Gavazzi grew up in Central PA and received a Bachelor's in Biological Anthropology, a Bachelor's in Italian Language and Literature, and a Master's in Anthropology from Penn State. While at Penn State, she was a member of the Marching Blue Band. She then earned her Ph.D. from Kent State University where she studied the evolution and development of whales under Dr. Hans Thewissen and Dr. Lisa Cooper. As part of her doctoral degree, she taught anatomy, histology, and embryology at the Northeast Ohio Medical University for four years.

Dr. Gavazzi's research interests focus on the prenatal development and skeletal morphology of 'weird' mammals like sloths, primates, whales, and bats. When she isn't thinking about bones, Dr. Gavazzi enjoys hiking, knitting, reading, and spending time with her husband and four cats. 

Courses Taught

• BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I for UPMC Mercy Nursing
• BIOL 201L - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab for UPMC Mercy Nursing