As a biology education researcher, I have three primary branches of investigation. 1) 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. 2) I also study how field-based research experiences provide students opportunities to interact with local community members and how these interactions can lead students to develop the desire and ability to engage - scientifically - with their communities (i.e., scientific civic engagement). 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 science 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
EBIO 1010 - Introduction to Quantitative Thinking for Biologists
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2021
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
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 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.
