Teaching

Teaching Assistant at the University of Texas at Austin

Our Maymester course in front of Volcan Arenal, summer 2017.

I have been a teaching assistant for my entire PhD at UT Austin. Courses I have assisted in:

• Introductory biology for non-biology majors – general (two semesters)
• Introductory biology for non-biology majors in the Plan II Liberal Arts Honors Program (eight semesters)
• Land Use Issues in Rainforest Conservation; Study Abroad Costa Rica (two summers)
• Animal Behavior (one summer)
• Evolution (one semester)
• Introductory Biology Lab (one semester)

Mentoring

Over the years, I have mentored multiple students in lab techniques and general research practices. During my PhD, I spent a few years mentoring a female undergraduate student through multiple independent research projects on spider taxonomy and behavior.

I was the Lead Facilitator for a Freshman Interest Group (~20 students) during their first semester at UT. We met once a week to discuss time management techniques, study strategies, and other tips for doing well in college. I was also an Academic Coach/Mentor for three undergraduate females working to get off of academic probation in their second semester of freshman year.

Scientist in Residence for the UT Environmental Science Institute

Teaching high school students about microbiome research.

During the 2017-2018 academic year, I have worked with Teresa Oleniczak as a Scientist in Residence in two International Baccalaureate Biology Classes at Anderson High School. In the classes, I share my research and experiences as a scientist, develop and carry out lesson plans, and help students design and work through experiments for their IB diploma.