Co-instructor, Aquatic Insects, Spring 2009

Aquatic insects examines the taxonomy and ecology of insects having aquatic stages in their life cycle.  This upper-level undergraduate and graduate lecture and laboratory course was co-taught with Dr. R.A. Hellenthal.  Instructor responsibilities included giving 4 lectures (aquatic insect ecology, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and secondary production), running laboratories, developing and grading exams, and grading students on their final projects (insect collection). 

Teaching Assistant, Aquatic Ecology, Fall 2008

Aquatic Ecology focuses on the physical, chemical, and biological components of aquatic systems.  Students gain hands-on experience in field sampling through weekly trips to Notre Dame's lakes as well as laboratory analysis of collected samples.  TA responsibilites included running laboratories, grading final research papers, as well as giving a lecture on primary production. 

Co-instructor, Ecosystem Ecology, Summer 2008

Introduction to Ecosystem Ecology course for graduate students in the NSF-IGERT program (co-taught with Dr. G.A. Lamberti).  The course included morning lectures and afternoon field exercises/laboratory analyses and was held at the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC).  Instructor responsibilities prior to the course included developing a 4-day curriculum, writing lectures, and designing labs. 

Teaching Assistant, Biostatistics, Spring 2008

The basic principles of biostatistics are covered, including regression, analysis of variance, non-parametric approaches, and experimental design.  TA responsibilities included running laboratories (experimental design and SYSTAT software), grading labs and exams, and holding office hours.    

Teaching Assistant, General Ecology, Fall 2006

The General Ecology lab allows students to gain hands-on experience in field and laboratory exercises in order to complement the lecture material.  TA responsibilities included running laboratories, grading labs and quizzes, and leading discussion groups on the primary literature.

Undergraduate Mentoring, 2006-2007, 2008-2009

At the University of Notre Dame, undergraduate students are encouraged to carry out honors thesis projects under the supervision of a graduate student or professor.  

In 2007, Therese Frauendorf completed an undergraduate thesis project under my supervision.  She presented her thesis project, entitled 'Bt leaching from corn detritus and the effects on stream sediment respiration', at NABS in 2007.  Therese is currently a graduate student at SIU Carbondale with Dr. Matt Whiles. 

In 2009, senior Jennifer Kang is currently working on her undergraduate thesis project entitled 'The leaching and degradation of Cry1Ab protein from genetically engineered maize in stream ecosystems'. She will be presenting her thesis research at COSJAM, Notre Dame's annual undergraduate research symposium. 

Teaching Assistant, Animal Physiology (University of Toronto), 2004-2005

Animal physiology introduces students to the basic principles, processes, and mechanisms of animal functioning (circulation, metabolic and hormonal control, etc) through hands-on work in the laboratory.  TA responsibilities included running laboratories, grading labs, and holding office hours.