As a biology education researcher, I have three primary branches of investigation: 1) I study how community-engaged research experiences influence predictors of students future scientific civic engagement, such as their self-efficacy in engaging, the value they believe scientific civic engagement holds, their knowledge of how to engage effectively, and their intentions to engage in the future. Our lab studies these outcomes with the intention of increasing experiences that help students to develop both scientific and civic identities and motivation to act in pro-social ways after college. 2) I study teaching and learning in biology with the aim of understanding what drives students to persist in biology research endeavors when they encounter challenges, setbacks, and ambiguity. My focus is on students' development of motivation, grit, and resiliency in scientific research pursuits and how we, as instructors, can provide students with opportunities to develop these characteristics. 3) Finally, I study how community college faculty develop skills and self-efficacy in performing discipline based education research and in offering research experiences in their classrooms.
keywords
discipline based education research, life sciences education, biology education, ecology and evolutionary biology education, equity and inclusivity in biology education, course based undergraduate research experience assessment, resiliency in science, field-based undergraduate research experiences, creativity in science, community-engaged science, scientific civic engagement
Teaching
courses taught
EBIO 1010 - Introduction to Statistics and Quantitative Thinking for Biologists
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Focuses on the collection, visualization and analysis of data that are relevant for advancing critical thinking, student-directed learning, and the development of quantitative analysis skills, with an emphasis on using R and examples from ecology and evolutionary biology.
EBIO 1250 - Introduction to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2024
Introduces students to research in ecology and evolutionary biology topics in the context of investigations about Boulder�s local historic apple trees. Students will learn about the genetics, physiology, and urban ecology of the trees in the lecture and have the opportunity to research one of these topics more in depth in the laboratory courses. Results from the research on Boulder�s Apples will be reported back to the Boulder community by student researchers.
EBIO 2040 - Principles of Ecology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
Lecture and laboratory. Introduces principles of ecology, emphasizing patterns and processes at various levels of biological organization. Scope global, but examples often from local environment. Laboratory emphasizes techniques of field biology. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1030 and EBIO 1040 and EBIO 1050 or EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 (minimum grade C-). Same as EBIO 2640 and ENVS 2000.
EBIO 3020 - Next Steps: Preparing for Life After Graduation
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Helps upper-division students prepare for what comes after graduation. Topics include exploring careers; how to write a resume or CV; interviewing tips; how to build your portfolio; asking for letters of recommendations. This course is specifically designed for juniors starting to prepare for the next stage post-graduation. Same as IPHY 3020 and MCDB 3020.
EBIO 4870 - Independent Research: Upper Division
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
EBIO 4990 - EBIO Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
To be taken during the final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of the final phase of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Recommended prerequisites: minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared EBIO major and approval by departmental Honors program.
EBIO 5460 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023
Familiarizes students with specialized areas of biology. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Same as EBIO 4460.
ENVS 5930 - Internship
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2022 / Summer 2023
Provides academically supervised opportunities for environmental studies majors to work in public and private organizations on projects related to the students' research and career goals, and to relate classroom theory to practice.
