Teaching
While I've been teaching in Higher Ed since 2019, as a current professor at Mitchell College, I teach courses related to Marine and Environmental Science.
Conservation Biology
Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on the conservation of biodiversity on multiple levels,
including genetic diversity, species, ecosystem and landscape diversity. The causes and consequences of biodiversity loss
in an ecological and evolutionary context is discussed in relation to conservation problems. This course exposes students
to multiple sides of current conservation issues and the science behind them, including sustainability, habitat restoration,
introduced species, extinctions, pollution, disease and others using examples from aquatic and terrestrial systems.
Marine Biology
Marine Biology is an introductory course designed to provide students with information on the fundamentals of marine biology and to help students develop an appreciation for the diversity of life in the oceans and in coastal areas. Fundamentals include discussion of properties of water, basic oceanography and ecological principles, comparison of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, a survey of major organisms in marine systems, deep sea biology, intertidal ecology, estuaries and salt marshes, symbiotic relationships, and human impact on the sea. The laboratory exercises will introduce students to biological methodology including the surveying and sampling of populations and designing and conducting experiments. Many of the labs will be held outside and will make use of local resources.
Communicating Science
Students develop and demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific concepts, study findings, and arguments to expert and non-expert audiences using various media forms
Environmental Science/Studies
This course will introduce students to environmental issues on local, regional, and global levels. Students will explore environmental problems and their solutions with reference to the connectivity among social, political, technological, and personal arenas. Topics covered in the course include: biogeochemical cycles; biodiversity of terrestrial and aquatic systems; natural resource use and sustainability; human population growth and associated problems with food production, pollution, climate change, waste management, energy efficiency and renewable energy, environmental hazards and toxicology, and sustainable societies. A primary focus of this course is on the unique challenges posed by urban environments, including solid waste disposal, air pollution, sewage discharge, noise pollution, human health, land conversion, social disruption, and smart growth. The role that new technologies play in the context of developing solutions to such challenges on personal, local, regional, and global levels is incorporated into each course unit.
Biology I
BIology I provides a broad overview of biological molecules, transformation of energy in living organisms, genetics and inheritance, gene expression, and an introduction to modern biotechnology. Lab work provides hands-on experiences to accompany the major course themes and an introduction to data analysis.
Research Compliance
Research Compliance will examine ethical issues related to current and historical human and animal research through examination of case studies, research reports and legal documents. The policies and procedures relevant to contemporary research on human an animal subjects will also be introduced.
