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.

My core professional responsibility is teaching. I instruct eight different lecture courses over three semesters, the most of any faculty at Avery Point or in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I never teach the same course twice in an academic year. Thus, even though my courses are smaller, I am continuously engaged in course preparations across topics. While I do not instruct the biology labs I am involved in their structure and design. I’ve successfully advocated for over $10,000 for the Avery Point biology labs through CLAS surplus (announcement by EEB department head). My course rotation is:

 

Fall even: BIOL 1107*, EEB 2244, EEB 2100;

Fall Odd: BIOL 1107, EEB 2245, EEB 2202;

Spring: BIOL 1108*, MCB 2410, UNIV 1820 TYE Transition Year Experience

Awards and Nominations:

Awards:

Provost’s Award for Outstanding Service: Emerging                        Spring 2024

 

Excellence in Teaching:

UConn College of Liberal Arts and Science Faculty award              Spring 2020

UConn AAUP Excellence in Teaching Early Career                         Spring 2019

UConn Avery Point                                                                            Spring 2016

 

Excellence in Mentoring & Advising

UConn Avery Point

Excellence in Student Engagement and Support                    Spring 2018, 2019, 2020

Excellence in Advising                                                           Spring 2017

 

New London Day Newspaper: Front Page feature on teaching         October 16, 2016

CT SeaGrant Marine Educational Outreach Fellow                           2009-2010

Herman Forest Gaia Award                                                               Spring 2004

 

Nominations and Finalists:

UCONN AAUP Excellence in Teaching Early Career                      Spring 2018

UConn CETL Innovation in Teaching Award Nominee                    2016

UConn AAUP Innovation in Teaching Award Nominee                   2016

Mentorships Excellence Award, UConn: Nomination                       2015, 2016, 2017, 2020

Provost’s Commission on Public Engagement-Finalist                      Fall 2010

1of only 3 UConn Graduate Student Finalists