Teaching
I believe that we, as scientists, have a responsibility to
teach the next generation of learners about science. This
includes teaching both new biologists and non-scientists
alike. I enjoy teaching and mentoring students, and take
advantage of every opportunity to do so that I can. While
working in labs during my PhD and post-doctoral research
experiences, I have had the opportunity to mentor a variety of
younger students, from undergraduates to new graduate
students. All throughout my education, I was also able to act
as a teaching assistant for a variety of courses, which has
helped me learn to teach others. It is very important to learn
how to teach, and there is no better way to do so than by
observing and working with quality instructors. More recently,
as a post-doc, I have received a Collaborative
Teaching Fellowship with Towson University. This
fellowship included both a short course on teaching principles
and the opportunity to teach biology to non-majors
while under the supervision of an experienced
faculty member. While I was the instructor of record for the
course and was in the classroom alone, I was able to get a lot
of help in designing the course, and was always able to ask my
advisor for help, making this a valuable learning experience
for me, as well as for the students.
Towson University |
Adjunct Professor: Principles of Biology |
Spring 2017 |
University of Maryland School of Medicine |
Contributor: Host Defenses and Infectious
Disease |
Fall 2016 |
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health |
Teaching Assistant: Biology of Parasitism |
2013-2015 |
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health |
Teaching Assistant: Public Health Perspectives on Research |
2013-2014 |
Michigan State University |
Teaching Assistant: Integrated Studies
Biology |
Fall 2009-Spring 2010 |
Oberlin College |
Teaching Assistant: Principles of
Computer Science I and II |
Fall 2007-Spring 2008 |
Other academic activities:
While most of my academic activities are focused on my
research and teaching, I also participate in a number of other
activities to further the cause of science. While a student at
Johns Hopkins, I acted as a member of the Student Assembly for
multiple years, including one as the Vice-President for Social
and Cultural Affairs. This gave me the opportunity to work
closely with the school administrators to promote the
well-being of the students. I also served as an Associate Editor
for the
POSTDOCket, the monthly publication of the National
Postdoctoral Association. I was a founding member of the
SPACE group at Johns Hopkins, which works to
promote science policy advocacy and
community engagement. I am committed to supporting fact-based
approaches to solving problems in the world, and promoting
STEM education for everyone.
Free time:
They say that all work and no play makes people dull, so I
make sure to make time for recreation. In high school and
college I ran track and cross country, and upon moving to
Baltimore I started playing Australian rules football with the
Baltimore-Washington Eagles
in the United States Australian
Football League, and act as the treasurer for the club.
I am also an active member of Highland Lodge #184 and enjoy
medium to short walks on the beach, concerts with friends, and
food in all its forms.