My current research interest is in assessment of educational programs.  To that end I have been conducting a Knowledge Assessment of CBS undergraduates.  This assessment tracks knowledge gains by students over the course of their undergraduate career.  The data from the assessment will be used to identify aspects of the CBS curriculum that are problematic for students, with the goal of improving graduating students’ understanding of the basic concepts underlying a wide range of biology sub-disciplines. 

My prior research group investigated DNA mutation during meiotic recombination and in non-dividing, quiescent cells. Perhaps not too surprisingly given my training and research interests, my teaching is focused on Genetics and Molecular Biology. 

I am also the Head of the Department of Biology Teaching and Learning (BTL), where I work to support the research and teachings mission of the Department—to discover and apply innovative pedagogical strategies in biology education.  CBS students have benefited enormously from the advances in teaching and research identified and instituted over the last decade by the faculty in BTL, and it’s important to share that expertise with the wider academic community.

Degrees earned

• Bachelor of Science in Biology - Carnegie Mellon University (1987)
• PhD in Biology - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1994)

Courses taught

• BIOL 1951 - Foundations of Biology I
• BIOL 2003 - Foundations of Biology II
• BIOL 3020/3025 - Molecular Biology and Society 
• GCD 3022 - Undergraduate Genetics for Non-CBS Students
• BIOL 4003 - Genetics for CBS Majors