Teaching is my passion. I love interacting with students and coaching them through complex problems. To me, science is more than intellectual content. It is a lens through which to teach critical thinking. Helping my students become independent critical thinkers is my goal. I use my research as a tool for teaching; it connects the real-world to classroom lectures and gives student much needed hands-on experience, in both laboratory and field-settings. Further, outreach is also a major component of my curriculum. Disseminating knowledge to the public and getting young students excited about science is a cherished feeling hope to continue my dream of helping students achieve their goals and reach the best of their abilities.
Teaching and Outreach Awards:
Mentorships and Excellence Award, UConn, Nomination Spring 2015
Provost’s Commission on Public Engagement-Finalist Fall 2010
Nominated by peers; 1of only 3 UConn Graduate Finalists
CT SeaGrant Marine Educational Outreach Fellow 2009-2010
Mentoring in Research:
Undergraduate Research Assistants: 10 Summer 2008-current
Middle School Science Teacher: 1 Summer 2014
High School Students: 2 Fall 2011
Teaching and Advising:
University of Connecticut:
Advisees: 11 official, 4 unofficial
Evolutionary Biology: EEB 2245 Spring 2015
Principles of Biology I: BIOL 1107 Fall 2015
Principles of Biology II: BIOL 1108 Spring 2015
Genetics: MCB 2410 Spring 2015
General Ecology: EEB 2244 Fall 2014,’15
Evolution and Human Diversity: EEB 2202 Fall 2014, ‘15
MAR4010/5010- Biological Oceanography (1/3 team taught) Spring 2012
Sacred Heart University:
Instructor: BIO 111- Introductory Biology, Lab Spring 2014
Instructor: BIO 111-Introductory Biology, Discussion (2 sections) Fall 2013
Instructor: BIO 112-Introductory Biology, Discussion Spring 2013
Stony Brook University:
Lecturer: MAR 502-Biological Oceanography Fall 2006
Laboratory Instructor: Biology 203 Spring 2005
Laboratory Instructor: Biology 151 (2 sections) Fall 2004
SUNY Geneseo:
Teaching Assistant- Biology 241: Invertebrate Laboratory Spring 2004
Teaching Assistant/Tutor-Biology 203: Principles of Ecology Spring 2004
Undergraduate Laboratory Instructor: Biology 104 Spring 2004
Teaching Assistant- Biology 303: Community Ecology Fall 2003
Undergraduate Laboratory Instructor: Biology 118 Fall 2002, Fall 2003
Vivarium-Biology Department: Senior Curator Fall 2002-Spring 2004