My teaching is built around a simple goal: students should gain strong scientific reasoning skills, confidence in working with biological data, and a clear understanding of how scientists test ideas using modern experimental and molecular approaches. I emphasize learning that connects core biological concepts to real-world environmental and societal challenges.
Courses
BIOL 111 — Organismal Biology (Instructor)
BIOL 111 introduces biological diversity and function across microbes, fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates within an ecological and evolutionary framework. In my invertebrates unit, students explore how form and function are shaped by environmental conditions and how comparative evidence is used to understand evolutionary solutions across lineages.
BIOL 311 — Advanced Methods in Organismal Biology (Course Coordinator & Instructor)
BIOL 311 is a hands-on laboratory course focused on experimental design, hypothesis testing, and data analysis using modern organismal biology methods. Students complete research modules that include environmental DNA sampling and molecular workflows (DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, barcoding and metabarcoding), population genetics and genomics, and experimental evolution. Scientific communication is emphasized through written reports and poster presentations.
Undergraduate Research Supervision
I supervise undergraduate students who want to conduct independent research projects in molecular ecology and environmental genomics, often in collaboration with partners from government agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations. These projects allow students to work on real-world environmental questions while gaining hands-on experience with current research methods.
If you are interested in an independent research project, honors thesis, or volunteer research experience, please email me with (1) a short paragraph describing your interests, (2) your CV, and (3) your transcript. Projects may be for academic credit or volunteer-based, depending on the context.
Students typically gain experience in experimental design, laboratory and/or field methods, data analysis, and scientific communication, and some projects contribute to conference presentations or peer-reviewed publications.