Teaching

BIOPSYCHOLOGY, PSY 308, University of TExas at Austin 2023-present

  • Upper-level undergraduate course exploring the biological basis of psychology and behavior

  • Developing a team-based course that incorporates critical thinking and data interpretation

Biological Clocks and Behavior, PSY 332T, University of TExas at Austin 2018, 2020-present

  • Developed and instructed a new course based on biological clocks and rhythms

  • Topic: how the nervous and endocrine systems synchronize internal biological clocks to the external environment. Rhythms of feeding, sleeping, mating, hibernation, migration, menstrual cycles, and related pathologies

  • Small-group learning model used to incorporate active learning

Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin 2019, 2021

  • Graduate-level seminar course with diverse expert speakers in the realm of behavioral neuroscience. I enabled engagement of students and trainees through participation in speaker introductions and in question periods.

Neuroinflammation in Health and Pathology, PSY 394P, University of TExas at Austin 2019, 2022

  • Developed and instructed a new graduate course examining our emerging understanding of neuroinflammatory pathology

  • Topic: the role of pathological neuroinflammation in mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) and neurologic diseases and injuries (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, traumatic injury).

  • Design includes guest speakers, various engaging topics, student-led seminars, and writing/editing papers

Instructor, Principles of Neuroimmunology – MVIMG 750, OHio State 2011, 2013

  • Developed and presented a lesson twice to a class of 20 graduate students: “Neuroinflammation: Gaining perspective from the periphery”

  • Incorporated interactive techniques to engage students and consolidate learning

 

Instructor, Fourth Year Developmental Neurobiology, University of British Columbia (UBC) 2008 (twice), 2009, 2010

  • Re-developed and instructed the course to 50 upper-level students per semester

  • Major themes: neural induction, neuraxis formation and patterning, differentiation, axonal growth and targeting, nervous system refinement

  • Based course on a small-group learning model, with active learning at its core

  • Focus on linking concepts and on scientific process to improve scientific thought

 

Instructor, Third Year Cell Physiology, UBC 2010

  • Taught several themes: biological techniques, cell communication, cell junctions, cell adhesions, the extracellular matrix

  • Re-developed course: used small-group learning; focused on linking concepts
    Teaching Assistant, First Year Human Physiology, UBC 2004, 2005, 2007-2009

  • Prepared brief lessons on topics that were studied in the laboratory

  • Taught class independently and demonstrated a variety of techniques

  • Graded students’ exams

  • Re-developed quizzes and reports for lab section – focus on scientific process and conceptual understanding

 

Teaching Assistant, Third Year Cell Physiology, UBC 2003-05

  • Led laboratory section

  • Taught students complicated techniques, including electrophysiology, dissection, Northern blot, Western blot, photospectrometry, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

  • Graded students’ written and oral reports

 

Other Teaching and Supervisory Experience

Teaching for the Life Sciences student – BIOL 535, UBC 2006

  • Completed a graduate course on teaching in post-secondary institutions

  • Learned important pedagogical philosophies and techniques

 

Supervisor of technicians, trainees, and undergraduates 2003-04, 2009, 2010-present

  • Planned, implemented, and led projects completed by two Professional Research Assistants (2015-2018) and 15 undergraduates (2003-present)