Teaching, Mentorship, & Science Education Research

Teaching Philosophy & Experience 

Throughout my years as a mentor, teaching assistant, and instructor at Duke, Emory, and PSU, I have focused on integrating student achievement and engagement via active learning and scientific inquiry. In my teaching and mentoring, I aim to challenge, encourage, and inspire my students with a passion for science. I work constantly to improve my abilities in the classroom through programs like Duke's Certificate in College Teaching, Emory's FIRST postdoctoral program, the Inclusive Classrooms Workshop Series, and the Faculty Mentoring Series. Lastly, I have also dedicated time to scientific education research, and even contributed some of my own work! I'm looking to further my scientific education research, so if you'd like to participate, fill out this form.

Instructor (2020-Present), University of Cincinnati: Anth1003 Introduction to Biological Anthropology; Anth2045 Genetics of Human Variation & Disease; Anth3050 Primate Sexuality; Anth4040 Human Evolution: Past, Present, & Future; 

Co-Instructor (2016), Evolution, Emory-Tibet Science Initiative at Sera Jey Monastery

Co-Instructor (2015), Introduction to General Biology, Clark Atlanta University

Instructor (2013), Primate Field Biology, Duke University

Teaching Assistant (2008-2013 for 10 semesters), Duke University - Human Evolutionary Genetic, Primate Sexuality Lecture & Discussion, Introduction to Anthropology Lecture & Discussion, Primate Field Biology

Mentorship

I have mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, of whom I am extremely proud! Many of my mentees have earned research grants, presented at national conferences, and earned co-authorships on scientific publications. Click the links below to see where my former mentees are now! 

Christine Peterson (2022-2023), University of Cincinnati Undergraduate

Miarisoa Ramilison (2021-2023), Central Washington University Masters student

Grace Miller (2021-2022), University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Honor Thesis student

Audrey Arner (2017-2021), Pennsylvania State University Undergraduate Honor Thesis student

Matthew Davis (2016-2017), Emory University Undergraduate, Graduation with Highest Honors

Jennifer Merritt (2015-2017), Emory University PhD Candidate

Laura Damiani (2013-2014), Duke University Undergraduate

Christine Adams (2013-2014), Duke University Undergraduate, Graduation with Distinction

Skylar Klager (2012-2013), Duke University Undergraduate, Graduation with Distinction

Randriarimanga Tahiriniana (2012), University of Anatananarivo Masters Student

Jillian Wisse (2012), Research Assistant

Gwendolyn McGinnis (2011-2012), Duke University Undergraduate, Graduation with Distinction

Lydia Greene (2010-2011), Duke University Undergraduate, Graduation with Distinction

Ghanasyam Bey (2010), Research Assistant

I also maintain an open door policy of informal mentoring for all. I've shared resources, edited grants and applications, and talked out career plans with many students. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if need be!

Science Education Research & Active Learning Activities

Over the course of my development as an instructor, I have had the opportunity to use or develop several activities for use in the classroom that rely heavily on active learning pedagogies:

- Using Sticky Notes to demonstrate evolutionary mechanisms - small group activity - A published teaching activity which won the T. H. Huxley Award for Education and Outreach from the Society for the Study of Evolution! See link. We are actively recruiting teachers to help us test the effectiveness of this activity in their classrooms - Please fill out this survey if interested!

- Candy Phylogenies - small group activity (modified from this post)

- Hominin Evolution - jigsaw activity

- Evolution Review Activity - Living Concept Map

I am happy to share them! If you are interesting in trying them in your classroom, please email me at: kathleen.e.grogan@gmail.com

*Photo by Amanda Melin of her class doing our Sticky Note activity!