Thank you for your interest in our lab!
In the SLUBER lab we do research on biology teaching and learning, and we work with data collected from the classroom (mostly surveys and assessments). Our work falls under the definition of human subjects research and is regulated by the IRB (Institutional Review Board).
Because our lab does not conduct traditional bench or field biology research, the work that we do may not be what you are looking for in terms of biology research experience as an undergraduate. It is important that you think carefully about your goals for a research experience, and whether our lab would be a good fit for you.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
We are currently pursuing two main lines of research, both in the context of large-enrollment undergraduate introductory biology courses. For each main project, you can see an example of published research that was conducted by graduate students in the lab:
Systems Thinking and Model-Based Learning:
- Reinagel, A., & Bray Speth, E. (2016). Beyond the central dogma: Model-based learning of how genes determine phenotypes. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 15(1), ar4.
Self-Regulated Study Strategies and Academic Achievement:
- Sebesta, A. J., & Bray Speth, E. (2017). How should I study for the exam? Self-regulated learning strategies and achievement in introductory biology. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 16(2), ar30.
Research for Academic Credit:
Undergraduate students who join us for only one semester often choose to do a library research project (BIOL 4970-12, which satisfies the Senior Inquiry requirement for the BS in Biology). Topics revolve around science education, classroom practices, cognition and learning, but original ideas are welcome and encouraged, and we usually discuss and negotiate the expectations of a semester-long project together.
Undergraduate students who are interested in analyzing some data and seek a hands-on research experience typically make a two-semester (sometimes longer) commitment to a project (and may enroll in BIOL 4980-12, Advanced Independent Study, which also satisfies the Senior Inquiry requirement for the BS in Biology). All students who work with classroom data need to take the Human Subjects Research training and be added to a current IRB protocol before they start working with human subjects data.