Kathleen Ireland was born and raised on the East Coast of the United States and obtained her B.S. from the University of Alabama while gaining experience working both for a major pharmaceutical company in their basic research labs and for a Marine Sciences Foundation in Florida. She continued her education at the University of Alabama, earning an M.S. in Marine Sciences in 1981, studying aquatic ecology, and working for the Geological Survey of Alabama in strip mine reclamation. After a few years working for an agricultural genetics corporation and giving birth to two sons, Kathleen returned to school, earning a Ph.D. from Iowa State University while teaching their Human Biology course. She joined the faculty at ISU until moving to Maui for a position teaching human biology for the University of Hawaii, Maui Community College. Kathleen is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Alpha Gamma Delta, NSTA, HAPS, and AACE, where she serves on their editorial board. She regularly participates in AP exam readings and has been published as a media editor and contributing author on both anatomy and anatomy and physiology premedical textbooks. She has received a 2008 Toyota Motor Corporation Institute of International Education Galápagos excursion, a 2009/2010 Toyota Tapestry large grant, and a multi-year HAIS/ HCF grant to enhance the schoolwide teaching of 21st century skills.