Teaching critical thinking in the sciences
I started becoming keen on teaching when I was a teaching assistant at Hopkins Marine Station. Then after graduating with my PhD I decided to do a teaching-focused postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University in the Thinking Matters Program. During my postdoc I cultivated my teaching interest and practices. Now I am grateful to be an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Chaminade University of Honolulu, a university that values diversity and science education.
I focus on creating a classroom environment where all students feel confident and comfortable to actively participate. I bring material into the classroom that challenges my students to evaluate their understanding and assumptions. I design activities where students analyze evidence and draw connections. As global citizens, I think it is important for all my students to develop critical thinking skills in addition to understanding the material.
Article in the Stanford News: Stanford sows the seeds of diversity in academia with PhD fellowships
Students from Living With Viruses (winter 2020) receive creative project award for podcast “Unheard Voices“ about the Zika virus and connections to the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo credit: LA Cicero
Courses Taught
Fall 2016 - Spring 2020: Teaching fellow, Stanford University
Sustainability Challenges & Transitions
The Cancer Problem
How Does Your Brain Work?
Living With Viruses
Spring 2020: Visiting Instructor, Saint Mary’s College of California
Introduction to Cell & Molecular Biology Lab
Summer 2019: Visiting lecturer, American University of Paris
Introduction to Environmental Science
2012, 2013: Graduate TA, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station
Ecology, Evolution, & Plant Biology
Invertebrate Zoology
Guest Lectures
2018: Chaminade University of Honolulu
Marine Environmental Sciences
2015, 2016: California State University Monterey Bay
RNA-Seq Project Course
Marine Conservation