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, 2007-2009Prepared 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)