Teaching Philosophy

I teach the same way I conduct research, with creativity, curiosity, and rigor. The themes I use in my classroom are curiosity, exploration, and understanding of the scientific process in order to critically analyze and interpret material. When my students leave the classroom, I don’t want them to leave with a memorized set of information. I want them to 1) be able to critically analyze data, 2) know where to find trustworthy information, and 3) use that information to synthesize new knowledge, which can be applied to future problems. 

Publications Related to Education

Courses offered at UTSA

Spring 2025

MMI 7113: Teaching in the Life Sciences

Course description: My main goal is to provide you with basic knowledge about pedagogy principles and get you ready to teach a class!  

The overall goals of the course are as follows:

• Gain working knowledge on basic pedagogy principles.

• Develop a lesson plan on a topic of your choice utilizing knowledge and tools acquired throughout the course.

• Teach a 25-minute session based on your lesson plan to undergraduates.

• Develop a teaching statement.

MMI7041: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Colloquium

Fall 2024

MMI 4483 and 6733: Medical Mycology and Advanced Medical Mycology

Course description: Fungi are amazing organisms! They are everywhere and play key roles in our everyday

lives. They are master decomposers, breaking down complex organic matter and

recycling nutrients back into the environment. Some fungi form symbiotic relationships

with plants, enhancing nutrient uptake and promoting growth. In medicine, fungi have

been the source of life-saving antibiotics, such as penicillin, and are used in the

production of various biopharmaceuticals. However, their ecological roles are still not fully

understood. In this course, we will explore the diversity of clinically important fungi, the

mechanisms they employ to cause disease and interact with their host and other

microbes, and the mechanisms they use to withstand environmental insults (e.g.,

antifungals).

MMI 7001: Professional and Leadership Development

Course description: My main goal is to provide you with a personalized tool belt that

can help you optimize your graduate school experience. As such, this course focuses

on building individual development plans, initiating mentoring plan discussions with your

current mentors, and integrating professional and leadership skills that will help you

make a successful transition after graduate school.

The overall goals of the course are as follows:

• Use the mentoring compact and individual development plan to initiate a conversation with your advisor focused on your short- and long-term goals and transition to the next stage.

• Develop a structured plan that you and your advisor will adhere to.

• Present your plan in the course to receive feedback.

• Develop a career exploration and transition plan.

Spring 2024

MMI 7113: Teaching in the Life Sciences

Course description: My main goal is to provide you with basic knowledge about pedagogy principles and get you ready to teach a class!  

The overall goals of the course are as follows:

• Gain working knowledge on basic pedagogy principles.

• Develop a lesson plan on a topic of your choice utilizing knowledge and tools acquired throughout the course.

• Teach a 25-minute session based on your lesson plan to undergraduates.

• Develop a teaching statement.

Fall 2023

MMI 7001: Professional and Leadership Development

Course description: My main goal is to provide you with a personalized tool belt that

can help you optimize your graduate school experience. As such, this course focuses

on building individual development plans, initiating mentoring plan discussions with your

current mentors, and integrating professional and leadership skills that will help you

make a successful transition after graduate school.

The overall goals of the course are as follows:

• Use the mentoring compact and individual development plan to initiate a conversation with your advisor focused on your short- and long-term goals and transition to the next stage.

• Develop a structured plan that you and your advisor will adhere to.

• Present your plan in the course to receive feedback.

• Develop a career exploration and transition plan.