As a biology education researcher, I investigate 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. As the fields of Ecology and Evolution continue to develop, the problems we tackle will become increasingly complex and require scientists to tackle increasingly challenging problems. To best instruct the next generation of scientists, we must understand why and how scientists make progress when challenges arise. My focus is on students' development motivation, grit, and resiliency in scientific research pursuits and how we, as instructors, can provide students with opportunities to develop these characteristics.
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
EBIO 1010 - Introduction to Quantitative Thinking for Biologists
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
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
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, learn techniques for how to do research in these areas, and engage in a research project that addresses one of these topics. Results from research on Boulder�s Apples will be reported back to the Boulder community.
EBIO 2040 - Principles of Ecology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019
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.
