Teaching and mentoring are my first passions. I am deeply committed to developing a strong, robust didactic and practical learning atmosphere for students in the classroom and trainees in the laboratory. My love for teaching took hold when I was an undergraduate at Cornell University, during which time I served for several years as either a teaching assistant or a course consultant, and it has intensified over the years because I believe that: (1) the ability to teach/articulate a concept effectively is the sign of when one has truly learned it well; (2) enthusiastic students at the best universities like Cornell should have direct access to their professors in order to nurture their creative spirit and sharpen their intellect at an early stage of their career; and (3) the overall scientific enterprise is strengthened when we take the time to invest in the next generation of scholars.

I am firmly committed to serving as a research mentor for undergraduate and graduate students, and I am particularly passionate about helping students grow not only as scientists, but also as artful and articulate communicators of their scientific work. Exchange of research ideas and goals, both with scientific and lay audiences, is extremely important and I have deeply enjoyed the opportunity to help train students improve their skills in this area. The most rewarding moments of my career so far have come in those times when I realize how much my students have grown not only as critical thinkers but also as effective communicators.

 

Courses

• BIOMG 7800 Stem Cells & Cancer (Spring 2018, Spring 2019)
• BIOMS/BIOAP/VTBMS 3100 Principles of Animal Physiology (Fall 2018 – Present)
• BIOG 2990/4990 Independent Study (Fall 2017 – Present)