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A student of biology must concurrently grow roots into the amassed canon of biological knowledge and wings to become an independent and original experimenter. As a teacher, I guide apprentice scientists in interpreting interconnected information, applying that knowledge to test novel hypotheses, and then distilling findings into clear oral and written communications. Importantly, these facets of becoming a biologist are learned at varied paces among students, in a non-linear fashion within a student, and with increasing nuance and attention to detail as students mature. In response to these challenges, several pedagogical principles guide my teaching: (1) centering course content around objectives that are accessible to students and endorsed by both biologists and pedagogues; (2) using diverse teaching methods to engage students in topics that stimulate and sustain learning; and (3) using assessments that encourage deeper understanding, application, and retention. I apply this anthem to all my courses, including those in my scholarly niche, core biology requirements, the general curriculum, and mentoring undergraduate research students.

Courses Taught @ Hobart and William Smith Colleges 

 

  • Biological Statistics 

  • Ecology 

  • Aquatic Biology 

  • Invasive Species Biology 

  • Suspended Animation: how & why organisms put life on hold

  • Nature in the Future

  • Science/Fiction/Prediction 

 

Study Abroad Programs and Courses

 

Italy 2020

  • Urban Ecology of Rome 

  • The Art & Science of Graphical Representations 

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Guatemala 2016

  • Ecology & Culture in Guatemala 

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Australia and New Zealand  2010, 2012

  • Sustainability Down Under 

  • Biogeography of Australia and New Zealand 

 

Russia 2009

  • Modern Siberia 

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Undergraduate Research Projects

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Ecology projects

  • Leaf Decomposition in the Glenwood Cemetery Creek, Coppers' Woods (Sarah Gray)

  • Differences in the food-web structure and productivity of pond habitats (Penelope Murphy)

  • Taxonomic composition and methylmercury in zooplankton (Rachel Best)

  • Methylmercury bioaccumulation in nearshore invertebrates (Kayleigh Buffington)

  • The potential use of environmental DNA for detection of Hemimysis (Kathleen Mendez)

  • Age and size predictors of mercury accumulation in Lake Trout (Alexander Gatch)

  • Using paleolimnology to study the last 100 Years of Owasco Lake (Corey Gallagher)

  • Effects of temperature and prey type on Hemimysis feeding (Nicolas Steijn)

  • Invasive plankton and the potential impacts on fish diets (Matthew Paufve)

  • Sediment loading and seiche transparency impact Daphnia retrocurva (Eleanor Milano)

  • Water quality controls in the southern basin of Cayuga Lake (Owen Hatch)

  • Population dynamics of Corbicula fluminea in the Seneca River (Bart Fylnn)

  • Developing light-based traps as a novel detection method for Hemimysis (Jamila Roth)    

  • Measuring predation of native and naturalized fish predators with video (Madison Sutton)

  • The fishhook waterflea’s impact on the native plankton assemblage (Jessica Popp)

  • Resting egg accumulation in deep and shallow locations of Seneca Lake (Michael Ellis)

  • Analysis of two management techniques for European frogbit (Bethany Bashaw)

  • Tracking the history of Cercopagis pengoi in Owasco Lake via lake sediments (Cam Avelis)

  • Does the PEG model apply to Seneca Lake? (Emily Runnells)

  • The Road to Immortality: exploring resting stages of native zooplankton (Taylor Raufus)

  • A tale of two ponds: the patterns of zooplankton in the Hanley ponds (Matthew Whalen)

  • Fish predators shape divergent pond productivity (Ryan Aruk)

  • Using zooplankton size to investigate trophic cascades in pond ecosystems (Stephanie Fisher)

  • Potential impacts of the fishhook waterflea in Seneca Lake (Laura Cummins)

  • Effects of the invasive diatom Didymosphenia geminata on stream invertebrates (Clancy Brown)

  • Vertical migration in the crustacean zooplankton taxa of Seneca Lake (Thomas Rood)

  • Invertebrate predator density and distribution (Joe Sullivan)

 

Environmental and interdisciplinary studies

  •  Lake Huron water-level fluctuations are impacting island and inland-lake area (Janne Knieke)

  • Aquatic education in the Finger Lakes, new materials for Science on Seneca (Rachel Best)

  • Connecting dance and the environment (Kathleen Merino)

  • Cold frame farming at Hobart & William Smith (Derek Weiss)

  • Using Lake Baikal as tool for environmental education (Margaret Yovanoff)

  • Capturing underwater wonder through watercolor (Melissa Gaydos)

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I also teach for Science on Seneca, an EPA-award-winning environmental education program for middle and high school students, and the Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institue. Science on Seneca was featured in Philippe Cousteau's 

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