Teaching
Goals:
Give students insights into the dynamic aspects of research
Engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving
Focus on improving writing and communication skills
Courses at Portland State University:
ESM 416/516 Ecosystem Restoration. Ecological theories and principles that guide restoration practices in a variety of ecosystems, including rivers, wetlands, forests, and prairies. Causes of ecosystem degradation, motivations for restoration, and factors that influence success in restoration. Interactions between science, philosophy, engineering, environmental management, policy, and politics in the dynamic world of ecosystem restoration. Fall term.
ESM 321 Analysis of Environmental Systems II.
Introduction to the structure and function of environmental systems with an emphasis on ecological processes and human impacts. Winter term.
ESM 324 Environmental Systems II Lab. Laboratory section accompanying ESM 321. Winter term.
ESM 427/527 Watershed Biogeochemistry. Study of the chemistry of watershed-based ecosystems, emphasizing physical and biological processes. Mechanisms of atmospheric input; rock weathering and soil development; physical and biological controls on the storage and flux of minerals, carbon, and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems; and impacts of management on biogeochemical processes in watershed-based ecosystems. Spring term.
Other interests: wetland ecology, urban ecology, and scientific research and writing.
Past teaching positions:
Lecturer in Fundamentals of Ecosystem Ecology graduate course, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (2011-2013)
Issues in Ecosystem Restoration, adjunct faculty at Elon University, Elon, NC (January 2009)
Ecology and Evolution (BIO116) and Biogeochemistry (BIO272), discussion instructor at Duke University (2006-2007)
Plant Biology, Ecology, and Introductory Biology, lab instructor at George Mason University (2000-2001)
Italian and French, recitation instructor at The College of William and Mary (1994-1997)