Teaching is one of the most important jobs of any scientist. While I absolutely love the thrill of discovery and joy of finally cracking a complex biological problem, I recognize that likely my largest impact as a scientist will be from the students I teach and train. One of my favorite things about teaching is sharing my passion for science with others and empowering my students to think of themselves as scientists too. Science is everywhere and we are all natural problem solvers whether we realize it or not. My role as an educator is not to serve as a gatekeeper to knowledge, but to provide students with the tools and the confidence to seek out this knowledge themselves.

Teaching experience

2015               Intersession instructor, RNA in disease

                        Johns Hopkins University

Proposed and developed the course covering:

  • Molecular mechanisms underlying RNA-based diseases

  • Practical, hands on experience processing gene expression datasets using Tuxedo suite tools and R

2014               Guest lecturer, Eukaryotic molecular biology

                        Professor: Van Moudrianakis

Johns Hopkins University

Designed and taught 5 lectures covering:

  • DNA replication and repair

  • Transcription

  • RNA processing & nuclear export

  • Translation and mRNA decay

  • Methods in molecular biology including high-throughput sequencing technologies

 

2012 - 2014     Participant

Symposium on Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the Sciences, Johns Hopkins University

 

2014                Teaching assistant, lecture

                        Cell biology, Johns Hopkins University

                        Duties: grading problem sets & exams, led 4 recitation sessions

 

2013                Teaching assistant, lab

                        Genetics, Johns Hopkins University

Duties: Introduced weekly lab concepts and techniques, supervised experimental procedures, graded lab reports, held office hours

 

2011                Teaching assistant, lab

Cell biology, Johns Hopkins University

Duties: Introduced weekly concepts and techniques, supervised experimental procedures, graded weekly lab reports, held optional review for final exam

 

2010                Teaching assistant, lab

Biochemistry, Johns Hopkins University

Duties: Introduced weekly concepts and techniques, supervised experimental procedures, graded weekly lab reports

 

2005               Teaching assistant, lab and lecture

                        General biology, Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA

Duties: Held weekly office hours, graded lab reports, problem sets and weekly quizzes, supervised experimental procedures