Working with undergraduates in the classroom and lab has been one of the most rewarding parts of my academic career.
Teaching
Visiting Instructor, Global Change Biology
Carleton College Fall 2017 I had the opportunity to return to my undergraduate institution and teach a non-majors course in the Biology Department focusing on how biological systems are being influenced by anthropogenic changes. Through the use of readings, discussions, computer modeling, lectures, and visiting experts we touched on subjects from eutrophication to species distribution models to the ethics of zoos. Faculty, Citizen Science Bard College Winter 2016 I was a faculty member with Bard College's Citizen Science Program. I designed a course for freshman non-majors to introduce them to the scientific method and how to effectively evaluate scientific data and experimental design. Using a combination of computer modeling, molecular lab work, and class discussions we explored the role of science in our society through a lens of infectious diseases. Check out this great program to learn more. Guest instructor, Animal Behavior and Ecology Macalester College Spring 2014 Under the mentorship of Mark Davis, I led three lessons on Minnesota mammals, animal territoriality, and biogeography. I was able to create an activity that used mammalian skulls from the Bell Museum of Natural History and student discussion to explore how mammals have adapted to different diets and habitats. Teaching Assistant, Mammalogy University of Minnesota Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2016 I instructed and directed students on mammalian biology and identification through the use of museum specimens. I was responsible for designing and implementing introductory lectures on diversity and identification along with creating assessments using museum specimens. Developed new exercises for the course, including building independent dichotomous keys using museum specimens. I was also able to give a guest lecture in the course on Biogeography and Niche Modeling. Received an Outstanding TA Award from the college through student nomination. Teaching Assistant, Foundations of Biology University of Minnesota Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Spring 2013 I instructed and facilitated laboratory exercises for Foundations of Biology 2002, an introductory course for undergraduate biology majors. |
Undergraduate Mentoring
Riley Gillette, undergraduate at University of Central Florida In addition to helping me compile decades of sea turtle nesting information across six National Seashores, Riley completed an independent project quantifying shifts in nesting latitude of loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, on the US Atlantic coast. Riley presented this work at the University of Central Florida's Showcase of Undergraduate Research. Riley is now pursuing a graduate degree in biostats and public health at the University of Colorado. Camille Herteux, undergraduate at University of Minnesota Camille completed an independent project looking at aggression in sympatric and allopatric populations of two species of Plethodon. Camille is now pursuing a graduate degree in wildlife biology at Florida Atlantic University. For more information visit Research. Jonathan Keller, undergraduate at University of Minnesota Jonathan has been using his knowledge of X-ray micro CT technology to work with me on assessing variation in jaw characteristics within and between species of Plethodon. For more information visit Research. Taylor Wells, undergraduate at Carleton College Taylor assisted with collecting molecular data for gene flow analyses over the summer of 2013. |