teaching
I consider learning a dynamic and collaborative process that builds off of the experiences, knowledge, and academic background of both the students and faculty. Because no single teaching model is fully applicable to all aspects of biology or will perfectly suit the learning style of every individual student, I aim to utilize a variety of pedagogical techniques to directly engage every student who is willing and able to learn.
In addition to providing students with a rigorous exposure to the methods and concepts pertaining to the field of biology, I believe it is important to concurrently pose questions such as; (1) why are these concepts important, (2) how has progress been defined and achieved in this field and most importantly, (3) what are the direct or indirect implications, both positive and negative, of the topics being discussed? These questions both serve to develop each student’s capacity for critical thinking and to provide societal insights that may ultimately prove more relevant to some students’ development than the content itself. Importantly, these topics must be discussed in an open and inclusive way.
I am interested in using a combination of cellular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics in both my teaching and research. My training has included using microscopy (light, fluorescence, and TEM), biochemistry (immunohistochemistry), genetics (molecular and organismal), and bioinformatics (comparative genomics) to address broad topics pertaining to cellular biology. I would like to make these vital biological concepts and approaches accessible to students and the general public by integrating them into my teaching, research, and outreach curriculums.
Model system biology provides a wonderful tool for sharing biological research with students and the greater public. The continuous development/refinement of techniques and community-wide resources are making it increasingly possible to bring many cutting-edge technologies directly into the classroom. As such, model systems provide exceptional time-efficient and cost-effective classroom and research subjects.
Based on the personal growth I experienced from spending several years abroad (including currently), I believe it is important to provide overseas educational opportunities to as many undergraduate students as possible. This can be accomplished by supporting formal study abroad exchange opportunities or by specifically designing and coordinating short research or classroom exercises abroad during summer semesters or holiday seasons.
