Teaching_2

My goals as an instructor are to: 1) maintain a constructive, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment for students, 2) improve students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and communications skills, and 3) promote lifelong learning. I have implemented innovative teaching techniques, including the use of peer instruction, active learning exercises, group problem-solving exercises, dynamic interactive quizzes and polls, and other techniques for building students’ metacognitive skills and establishing a growth-oriented mindset. One of the most valuable things I can do for the field of biology is to mentor young scientists. It is also one of the most personally rewarding aspects of my job; I greatly value these experiences for a number of reasons – mostly because I enjoy helping people and usually learn a lot for these relationships. Here are a few of the courses I’ve taught:

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Conservation Biology - BIO-037 - Spring 2019 - Forthcoming

SWARTHMORE COLLEGE

Marine Mammal Biology & Conservation

Swarthmore College

As Visiting Assistant Professor, I adapted this course from one I taught at SIO-UCSD, with the additional of a laboratory. I designed and implemented all new lab activities including modules on comparative anatomy of mammals (including 3D Laser Scanning) R statistics, as well as trips to sea and to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History’s Marine Mammal Collection.

Swarthmore students and I made use of the teaching collection to learn modern morpholocial tools, including 3D scanning and printing. In doing so, we also practiced comparative biology, phylogenetics, and learned cranial anatomy along the way.

In addition, we got off campus to the Smithsonian’s Marine Mammal Collection (the biggest in the world), and went out to sea at Cape May, NJ. 

Marine Mammalogy

UC-San Diego & Scripps Institute of Oceanography

Visiting Assistant Prof. & Instructor of Record: I designed and implemented all aspects of this class including the basic structure of the course, assignments, grades, course website, etc. Gave traditional lectures and student-guided discussion periods, I also lead field trips to the San Diego Natural History Museum, the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center to reinforce material and spark curiosity.