Teaching
I teach a wide variety of courses for Centre College's Biology, Environmental Studies, and Latin American Studies programs.
My courses incorporate experiential learning through field trips, labs, and field courses to reinforce concepts we cover. These experiences are critical for making connections between scientific principles and what we can observe first hand in nature. By fostering curiosity for our natural environment, critical thinking and analyses, along with developing field and laboratory skills I am preparing my students for successful careers in science and environmental management.
I also have a strong commitment to international teaching and encourage students to study abroad. Through international study my students are experiencing different perspectives, exchanging ideas, and gain respect for other cultures. At Centre College I have taught CentreTerm (January-term) courses in New Zealand and Caribbean Ecology. I have also directed Centre's semester abroad program in Merida, Mexico.
Beyond academia I have taught in freshwater ecology outreach programs in Pennsylvania, science workshops in Tongan high schools, and environmental education in rural Nicaraguan elementary schools.
Courses
Centre-in-Merida 2019-2020
As part of this semester abroad program we explore dry forests and cenotes in the Yucatan, meet with government agencies responsible for water management, visit ancient Maya sites to learn about past water management strategies, and hike through wet tropical forests in Chiapas, Mexico and Costa Rica.
Water Equity in the Yucatan (ENS340)
This course introduces Yucatan Peninsula’s history, culture, governmental policies, and environment within the context of water equity. Due to the region’s geology, virtually all the available water is underground with very few natural lakes or rivers. The course explores 1) hydrology of the region, 2) how Pre-Columbians revered water and developed sophisticated strategies to cope with limited water resources, 3) how modern pressures and policies are challenging to balance access to safe drinking water, irrigation for agriculture, and tourism, and 4) address how the Yucatan might adapt to further stresses associated with climate change.
Tropical Ecology (BIO374)
We explore the various tropical bioregions, from the dry-tropical deciduous forests to wet tropical forests to understand why the tropics are so biodiverse (geographic patterns of tropical diversity, biogeography, adaptation, species interactions and evolution, trophic structure, and energy flow). We also address questions of sustainability, threats to the region’s biodiversity, and potential shifts associated with climate change. This course includes lectures, scientific paper discussions, observational papers, and field trips.
Centre College on-campus courses
Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology (BIO110)
An introduction to biology through the integrating theme of evolution. The first third of the course introduces the unifying principles of evolution upon which all biological study is based. The second third is a phylogenetic survey of the biodiversity originating via those evolutionary processes. The course concludes with an exploration of the ecological processes that govern the organization of populations, communities and ecosystems. The associated lab allows us to explore these concepts through hands-on exercises, field observations, and laboratory experiments.
Freshwater Ecology (BIO315)
An introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological processes associated with freshwater habitats. We cover topics including: water chemistry, habitat classification, evolutionary adaptations, population dynamics, community structure and species interactions, water quality monitoring, and human impacts. Our lab uses local streams and ponds to learn methodology used to assess how different abiotic characteristics and biological interactions influence freshwater biodiversity.
Principles of Ecology (BIO370)
We examine the interrelationships between organisms and their environment at four levels: individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. We cover topics including evolutionary adaptations, population dynamics, species interactions, community structure, biogeochemical cycles and energy flow. A survey of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and a discussion of human influences on ecological systems are also included. The laboratory includes exercises, along with field and laboratory experiments to understand important concepts, but also the methods for how to test and analyze these relationships.
Entomology (BIO330)
An introduction to the biology of insects. The course explores the extraordinary diversity of insects, their physiology, life history strategies, behavior, evolutionary and ecological relationships. Our lab focuses on learning about the diversity of Kentucky's insects and includes a series of field trips so each student can learn the field methods for how to find and capture insects from a variety of different habitats to make their own collection that represents the local insect diversity.
Advanced research topics (BIO/BMB 405)
This is a companion course for students conducting independent research with a faculty collaborator. In this course we discuss effective experimental research and develop effective science communication skills to present their research.
Senior Seminar (BIO500)
A study of current research topics in biology around a central topic. We explore this topic by extensive discussions of primary scientific literature. Every student writes a thorough literature review paper on a specialized topic of their choice and presents their synthesis at the end of the semester. To better understand the course topic we invite a series of researchers to present their work at Centre. Past topics I have chosen have included: Invasion Ecology, Disease Ecology, and Urban Ecology.
Centre Term courses
Caribbean Ecology in Belize (BIO372)
An introduction to the diverse ecology of Belize extending from the tropical highlands to the Caribbean Sea. For half the course students study the ecology of coral reef and mangrove habitats and the second half addresses the complexity of wet tropical forest ecosystems to understand why they are so biodiverse. Students connect these ecological concepts to Belize’s rich Mayan past and modern conservation challenges. A main focus of this course is doing field research projects to learn methods to study ecology and analyzing this data to communicate in formal written scientific reports and presentations.
Invasion Ecology in New Zealand (BIO373)
An introduction to invasion ecology in the context of New Zealand’s efforts to manage invasive species. To understand this topic we travel to New Zealand's South Island to the Southern Alps and West Coast, along with the North Island to visit an island reserve and facilities to prevent the spread of invasive species. In addition to fundamental ecological concepts, the we also cover the environmental and societal benefits and costs of invasive species management. The course includes discussions of primary scientific literature, methods in field ecology, data analyses, formal written and oral presentations.
Previous university teaching experiences
University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Freshwater Ecology Field Course
Demonstrator – School of Biological Sciences
2012, 2013
Taught physio-chemical and biological sampling techniques to evaluate streams across New Zealand's South Island. Helped undergraduate students develop, analyze, and present field experiments.
Insect Biology
Demonstrator – School of Biological Sciences
2011, 2014
Assisted with field and laboratory activities including: collecting insects in the field, pinning and identification of insects for students making independent insect collections.
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
Demonstrator – School of Biological Sciences
Assisted undergraduate students with laboratory and field exercises on a wide range of topics including: scientific writing, evolutionary selection processes, intra- and inter-specific competition, and community responses to habitat rehabilitation.
University of Georgia
Aquatic Entomology
Teaching Assistant – Entomology Department
2010
Taught graduate level aquatic entomology lab using laboratory identification and field trips to collect specimens for their own collections. Wrote and graded lab exams.
Tropical Insect Natural History
Teaching Assistant - Entomology Department
2009, 2010
Assisted students with collecting insects in a variety of tropical habitats, preparing their collections, and identification to family. Responsible for class field project comparing tropical and temperate insect diversity. Wrote and graded identification exams.
Principals of Biology II
Teaching Assistant (Instructor of Record) - Biology Department
2009
Taught introductory organismal biology for biology majors using inquiry-based teaching techniques, wrote and graded exams, helped students develop short experiments and writing for the intensive writing program.
Allegheny College
Stream Ecology
Teaching Assistant – Biology Department
2004
Prepared and organized equipment for labs, assisted students with basic aquatic macroinvertebrate identification and responsible for transportation on field trips.
Non-university teaching experiences
Tonga high school workshops
University of Canterbury & Tongan Ministry of Education
Project assistant – School of Biological Sciences
2012
Co-taught workshops on basic science methodology in five high schools on two islands. Workshops focused on the scientific method and different sampling techniques for simple field experiments. The goal was for students to use these methods in their own research projects.
Peace Corps, Nicaragua
Rural elementary schools
Environmental Education Volunteer
2004-2006
Taught a variety of environmental topics in primary schools and adult education in conjunction with Nicaragua’s Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Environment and the local municipal government. Helped revise manual used by Peace Corps environmental education volunteers (Guía Didáctica de Educación Ambiental).
Creek Connections
Pennsylvanian middle and high schools
Project Assistant – Allegheny College Biology Department
2000-2004
Prepared hands on activities for local high school and middle school classes: taught and led field trips for observations and evaluation of stream ecology, water chemistry and hydrology in local river systems.