Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy starts with the idea that self-efficacy is critical for student success in class and research settings. I believe empowering students to see themselves as scientists can have a major impact on their learning. Three characteristics of scientists I strive to highlight and model for my students are the ability to: i) make mistakes and learn from them to make iterative improvements; ii) communicate scientific topics to audiences of diverse scientific and personal backgrounds; and iii) ask informed questions that challenge the current scientific consensus. These characteristics form the framework for creating an inclusive learning environment with the goal of improving student self-efficacy, learning, and future career opportunities.

I am motivated to utilize a variety of teaching methods to engage all students. My time with the NCSU Biotechnology (BIT) Program, specifically our outreach events with the North Carolina School for the Deaf, has underscored the importance of learner agency and accessibility. I have implemented Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines in the classroom and during outreach events (e.g., 1.1: Support opportunities to customize the display of information; 4.2: Optimize access to accessible materials and assistive and accessible technologies and tools) to achieve these goals. Active learning, group work, standard lectures, journal clubs, hands-on demonstrations, student presentations and laboratory experiments are all tools I have used in a classroom to improve student learning and engagement. Students come from diverse backgrounds, both personally and academically, which influence their specific interests and how they learn. In order to improve student engagement, I believe it is important for students to have the ability to influence the class based on their own decisions. Within the boundaries of the class, I do my best to allow students to make their own choices (UDL Guidelines 3.1: Connect prior knowledge to new learning; 7.1: Optimize choice and autonomy), including choosing their own gene targets for lab activities and choosing their own topics for presentations.

Watching students grow and become confident scientists, both in the classroom and the lab, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I look forward to collaborating with students and instructors in innovative and inclusive environments.

BIT 495/595: Genome Engineering: CRISPR Technologies

This course was designed and implemented by Dr. Phillip Brown at NC State University in Spring 2024.

This 8-week course-based research experience designed to introduce the basic concepts, mechanisms, novel tools, applications and ethical questions of CRISPR. Major assessments include two presentations, a group presentation discussing a major topic in CRISPR and an individual poster presentation discussing a novel tool or application of CRISPR. As the use of CRISPR is becoming more widespread in molecular biology labs this allows students the autonomy to choose and focus on what tools and/or applications of CRIPSR interests them the most! These presentation also aim to provide more experience with scientific communication and improve student self-efficacy when discussing scientific topics.

In lab students gain experience designing and creating a CRISPR-Cas12a-equipped bacteriophage P1 for the purpose of Serratia marcescens biocontrol. This engineered phage will be designed to infect and kill S. marcescens cells through the creation of double-stranded DNA breaks in essential genes using the CRISPR-Cas12a system. Students start my designing their own Cas12a guide RNA sequences to target an essential gene of their choice. Students then utilize cutting-edge molecular cloning techniques, such as site-directed mutagenesis, Golden Gate Assembly, Gibson Assembly, and Lambda Red recombineering to create their final CRISPR-Cas12a-equipped bacteriophage product.

Additional Information

Figure 1. Example of terminated chains created from this activity.

Recent Publication the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education

A 3D-printed Sanger sequencing activity addresses student misconceptions

Abstract: The process of Sanger sequencing can be a challenging and unintuitive concept for students to master. In order to improve student learning, we developed a hands-on Sanger sequencing activity using 3D-printed models to incorporate tactile learning. These 3D models and the accompanying activity demonstrate the differences between gene amplification polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing, including the purpose and function of dNTPs and ddNTPs, both in terms of building and terminating the chain and in how the DNA sequence is read. After completing the activity, students self-reported high levels of both learning and enjoyment from the activity. Students were also asked to discuss what misconceptions they had prior to this activity that were addressed and provide suggestions for improving this activity. A majority of the misconceptions are related to the function and differences between dNTPs and ddNTPs, with others related to the function of primers, the high-quality region of sequencing, and the purpose of DNA fragment sizes. Overall, student responses indicate that this activity was enjoyable, improved student learning, and addressed specific misconceptions regarding Sanger sequencing. The use of online dice rolling software or additional computational analysis was a common suggestion from students to improve this activity further in future semesters.

Check out the article here

Setting the Stage for High Structure Courses

This project was developed through a collaboration between the NCSU Biotechnology Program (BIT) and Digital Education & Learning Technology Applications (DELTA).

Studies have shown that high structure courses benefit student learning, particularly for those from underrepresented backgrounds. However, it is unclear if students understand the importance of frequent assignments to their learning. We collaborated with our learning technology office to develop short reflective videos that introduce students to the high structure format, its benefits, and how to scaffold workload. These videos are designed for students to interact with during the first few weeks of the course to provide students with the appropriate context to be successful and embrace the high structure format.

Additional Information can be found on the BIT website and DELTA News

Course-based research experiences, scientific communication & student self-efficacy

This project was developed through funding from the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Institute (SoTL) at the NCSU Office for Faculty Excellence. This study is part of the BIT 495/595: Genome Engineering: CRISPR Technologies course design and is currently in progress.

Current Courses

BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2023, Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2026

Course Description: Introduction to molecular biology and protein chemistry. Theory behind laboratory techniques and overview of cloning strategies starting from nucleic acid or protein sequence data. Laboratory sessions involve subcloning, preparation of competent cells, transformation, screening recombinant DNA by colony hybridization and PCR, SDS-PAGE of recombinant protein, affinity purification, and western blots.

BIT 495/595: Genome Engineering: CRISPR Technologies

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

Course Description: This course will train students in the use of CRISPR technologies for genome engineering and other applications. Students will learn about the potential of genome editing and the utility of CRISPR-Cas systems for this purpose. The hands-on lab sessions will design and apply this technology in silico, in vitro and in vivo. Students will utilize CRISPR techniques in bacterial cells and assess their efficacy.

Previous Courses

BIO 183: Introductory Biology: Cellular & Molecular Biology

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2018

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Course Description: Basic concepts and principles of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Emphasis is placed on the physical basis of life, on the molecular mechanisms that guide evolution, on the cell as the fundamental unit of life, and on the mechanisms involved in the development of multicellular organisms. The course promotes the development of crucial scientific skills including critical thinking, problem solving, design of experiments, and effective oral and written scientific communication.

BIT 100: Current Topics in Biotechnology

Semester(s) Taught: Fall 2025

Course Description: This course provides both science and non-science students an opportunity to learn about current issues in biotechnology that play a role in our society. Topic areas will include contemporary and historical applications of biotechnology. From alternative fuel sources to the ramifications of the elucidation of the human genome on health care issues, advances in biotechnology are constantly reshaping the world we live in. Students will give presentations and participate in discussions in the classroom, as well as be engaged in the laboratory on a variety of different topics in biotechnology that affects all our lives.

BIT 214: Biotechnology & Sustainability

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2025

Course Description: Students will evaluate the challenges of sustainable recycling of electronic waste and possible solutions using biotechnology. Students will design and develop approaches that incorporate sustainability and biotechnology to address wicked challenges, such as the accumulation of discarded electronics.

BIT 402/502: Biotechnology Networking & Professional Development

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2024

Course Description: This course provides students interested in the biotechnology field an opportunity to gain valuable network, job application, and interviewing skills. Over the course of the semester students will meet with ~20 biotechnology professionals in our area. In addition, students will learn from individuals in biotechnology jobs about the diverse careers options available and strategies for navigating the job market successfully.

BIT 477/577: Metagenomics

Semester(s) Taught: Fall 2023

Course Description: Participants will be introduced to a variety of methods for studying the complex microbial populations that surround us, including theory, applications, limitations, and health and legal implications. Students will apply deep sequencing techniques to mine the genetic diversity of complex microbial populations such as the rhizosphere, a swine lagoon sample, or even the communities of microbes growing happily inside your kitchen sink drain. This course will provide hands-on experience with molecular and computational tools that can be used to study the relationships between microbial communities and ecosystems or hosts.

BIT 479/579: High-Throughput Discovery

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2023

Course Description: In this eight-week lab module, participants will be introduced to high-throughput [HT] discovery science and the underlying quantitative biology skills necessary for robust assay design. Participants will learn modern high-throughput screening approaches that will prepare them to design, validate, and perform cutting-edge screens. Different HT approaches will be discussed using authentic case studies and critical thinking scenarios based on published studies. Essential quantitative biology skills for the design and analysis of HT discovery science will be emphasized and tested regularly using "biomath" quizzes. The power of automation and robotics will be highlighted and hands-on experience with a liquid handler and the software used to operate it will be routine in the lab sessions. Participants will also be exposed to novel high-throughput approaches through discussions of new technologies and guest speakers who are experts in the field.

BIT 482/582: Virus Biotechnology: Pathogens to Therapeutics

Semester(s) Taught: Fall 2024

Course Description: In this course, students will be introduced to concepts spanning principles in molecular virology through to engineering of viruses as molecular therapeutics. Students will be able to describe the basic tenets of molecular virology, articulate several principle uses of viruses in biotechnology applications, and perform data analysis on several fundamental virus assays.

BIT 501: Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2025

Course Description: Students investigate and discuss current controversial issues in biotechnology. This course emphasizes thinking about new technologies in a rational and thoughtful way.

MB 351: General Microbiology

Semester(s) Taught: Summer 2021, Fall 2022

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Course Description: Rigorous introduction to basic principles of microbiology for students in biological and agricultural sciences and for all students planning to take further courses in microbiology.

MB 352: General Microbiology Laboratory

Semester(s) Taught: Summer 2018, Summer 2019, Summer 2020, Summer 2022

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Course Description: Laboratory experience in general microbiology. Aseptic technique, isolation and identification of bacteria, staining and microscopy. Enumeration of bacteria and viruses.

MB 354: Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Laboratory

Semester(s) Taught: Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Course Description: Inquiry-guided laboratory experience in general microbiology, for microbiology majors and honors students, and those desiring a more rigorous exposure to this topic. Aseptic technique, isolation and identification of bacteria, staining and microscopy, and Koch's postulates.

MB 360: Scientific Inquiry in Microbiology: At the Bench

Semester(s) Taught: Spring 2020

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Course Description: Scientific questions, controls and variables, designing, preparing for and carrying out experiments, keeping a notebook, interpreting results, and presenting their findings: i.e. the pragmatic things a student must know in order to work efficiently in a research lab regardless of the discipline.

Guest Lectures

BIOL 101: Principles of Biology (Instructor: Dr. Jordan Claytor - UNC-Chapel Hill)

Semester Lectured: Spring 2025

Lecture Title: Microevolution

Course Description: An introduction to the fundamental principles of biology, including cell structure, chemistry, and function; genetics; evolution; adaptation; and ecology.

CHEM 430: Introduction to Biological Chemistry (Instructor: Dr. Brian Hogan - UNC-Chapel Hill)

Semester Lectured: Spring 2025

Lecture Title: Enzyme & Enzyme Mechanisms

Course Description: The study of cellular processes including catalysts, metabolism, bioenergetics, and biochemical genetics. The structure and function of biological macromolecules involved in these processes is emphasized.

ET 201: Environmental Technology Laboratory I (Instructor: Dr. Angela Allen - NCSU)

Semester Lectured: Fall 2023

Lecture Title: Water Quality & Biotechnology

Course Description: Use of field and laboratory instrumentation for monitoring water quantity and quality. Management, analysis, interpretation, and oral and written reporting of complex environmental data sets. Hands-on, real-world experience in water quality monitoring and maintenance.

FS 405/505: Food Microbiology (Instructor: Dr. Lynette Johnston - NCSU)

Semesters Lectured: Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025

Lecture Titles: Subtyping and molecular epidemiology of food-related microbes, Tale of Two Foodborne Pathogens: Listeria & Campylobacter

Course Description: Microorganisms of importance in foods and their metabolic activities. Source of microbial contamination during food production, processing and storage. Microbial spoilage; foods as vectors of human pathogens. Physical and chemical destruction of microorganisms in foods and the kinetics involved. Conversions of raw foods by microorganisms into food products. Microbiological standards for regulatory and trade purposes.

Grants & Awards

Senior Personnel. Chen S, Goller C, Srougi M. Structured for Success: A Primer for Students. NCSU Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications (DELTA) Exploratory Grant, 7/25/23. $8,000.
Principle Investigator. Brown P. Understanding how the use of communication-focused assessments impacts student learning outcomes and self-efficacy in a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE). Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Institute Mini Grant – NCSU Office for Faculty Excellence, 4/27/23. $1,250.
Genetics & Genomics Academy Travel Award 2022 – NCSU ($1,000)
Graduate Student Association 2021 Teaching Award Honorable Mention – NCSU
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences 2021 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award Nominee – NCSU

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