Joyce Fassbender

Joyce Fassbender is an Instructor II in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), specializing in entomology and arachnology. She holds a PhD in Biology from CUNY and teaches courses including General Biology, Entomology, and Forensic Entomology. Her research focuses on insect biodiversity, pollinator/plant interactions, and carrion-feeding insect ecology, with a particular interest in arachnid biodiversity conservation.

Dr. Fassbender mentors undergraduate students in senior research projects and is affiliated with professional organizations such as the Entomological Society of America and the American Arachnological Society. She has contributed to studies on wood-boring weevils in tropical ecosystems and presented at national entomology conferences. Her teaching emphasizes interactive and supportive learning environments for both majors and non-majors.