Radford University
Teaching
After 25 years of teaching college biology, I'm starting to get the hang of it! In all seriousness, teaching effectively is one of the hardest professional challenges I've faced - what works for one course and one group of students may not work the next time. I try to use nimble, learner-centered pedagogy that builds student skills and engages students in the real work of being a scientist.
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At Radford University, undergraduate research has always been a priority and a point of pride. Students have been a part of every research project I've done since starting at Radford in 2004, and it has been a great joy. See my CV for examples of the flashiest outcomes of that student research - peer-reviewed publications. Embedding authentic research experiences in courses has blurred the line between "undergraduate research" and teaching, and that is probably a good thing.
​Courses taught at Radford University
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Analysis of Biological Data (24 students, majors, computer lab)
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Environmental Toxicology (24 students, junior/senior level, with lab)
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Parasitology (24 students, junior/senior level, with lab)
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Tropical Field Biology (15 students, lecture/discussion course on campus with trip to U.S. Virgin Islands during spring break)
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General Ecology (24-48 students, junior/senior level, with lab)
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Environmental Biology (125 students, non-majors course, with lab)
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Principles of Biology (24-48 students, non-majors course, with lab)
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Ecology and Adaptation (24-48 students, freshman majors course, with lab)
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Freshman Biology Seminar (15 students, discussion and active exercise based course)
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Scientific Illustration (25 students, studio art lab in the service of science)
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Senior Seminar (~15 students, literature and writing focused course)
