Martha Rosenthal

Dr. Martha Rosenthal is a Professor of Neuroscience and Physiology in FGCU’s Department of Biological Sciences and a founding faculty member of the university. She teaches a wide range of courses, including neuroscience, human physiology, pharmacology, and drugs, and human sexuality, bringing interdisciplinary expertise into the classroom. In addition to her teaching, she is the author of several widely used textbooks, including Drugs: Mind, Body, and Society (Oxford University Press). She has been honored with the Teacher of the Year award at both the University of Florida and FGCU, reflecting her sustained excellence in education.

Dr. Rosenthal teaches a wide variety of courses, include neuroscience, human physiology, pharmacology, drugs: mind, body, and society, cannabis and its impact, and human sexuality. Teaching is her passion, and she strives to focus on critical thinking skills and interactions across disciplines in all her classes. She also uses enthusiasm, humor, and respectful interactions to make the classroom a safe and enjoyable space. Dr. Rosenthal has been honored to receive the Teacher of the Year award at both the University of Florida and at FGCU and to have presented a TED talk about sex and gender.

Dr. Rosenthal is the author of several textbooks, including Human Sexuality from Cells to Society (Cengage) and Drugs: Mind, Body, and Society (Oxford University Press), which is in its third edition. She is currently writing Human Sexuality: Mind, Body, and Society, 1e, with Oxford University Press. Dr. Rosenthal also co-authored Discoveries in Human Systems with Helen Cadwallader. Dr. Rosenthal has also published ancillary materials for these textbooks, including instructor’s manuals, testbanks, videos, and podcasts. Her current research is about cannabis use in the United States. In addition to textbooks and research articles, Dr. Rosenthal has created dozens of educational games and has published and presented on the use of games in the classroom.

A founding faculty member, Dr. Rosenthal has been committed to serving FGCU since it opened in 1997. Dr. Rosenthal is proud to have been the founder and first director of FGCU’s Honors Program. She also initiated, designed, directed, and led the Cannabis Research, Education, and Workforce (CREW) initiative from 2018 to 2024. This was the nation’s first multidisciplinary cannabis education program, with cannabis courses, workshops, and student internships in the cannabis field. Dr. Rosenthal is the longest serving faculty senator and has served several times as a senate officer. She chaired the student affairs committee, the CAS college governance team, and has been a member of committees that serve the department, college, university, and community.

Dr. Rosenthal has received numerous recognitions that reflect her excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. She is notably honored to have earned the Teacher of the Year award at both Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and the University of Florida, highlighting her consistent impact as an educator across institutions.

Her scholarly contributions have also been formally acknowledged—her textbook Human Sexuality: From Cells to Society (Cengage) was named “Most Promising New Textbook” by the Text and Academic Authors Association in 2013, underscoring its innovation and educational value. In addition, she has been awarded FGCU’s Team Service Award for her collaborative contributions to the university community. Early in her tenure, she was also recognized as one of the “20 Most Influential People at FGCU” (The XX) in 2000, reflecting her significant role in shaping the institution.

Beyond academia, a unique early recognition of her talent includes performing violin at Carnegie Hall at the age of nine—a notable personal achievement that highlights her longstanding dedication and excellence. She also creates stained glass artwork, reflecting her continued engagement in creative pursuits outside of her academic career.