Teaching
As a student, the courses in which I found the greatest benefits from were those with enthusiastic professors, who shared the course material in ways that invited critical evaluation and allowed me to identify the concepts and applications of the subject matter in my day-to-day life experiences. In my teaching, I strive to bring about this effect for my students.
I have been instructor of record for General Biology (BSC 101) at Lincoln Land Community College during Spring 2020. Additionally, I have served as Teaching Assistant at Illinois State University for courses ranging from General Ecology (BSC 201) and Tropical Ecology (BSC 311) to graduate level Biostatistics (BSC 420.27). During this time, I acted as Head Teaching Assistant for General Ecology for 5 semesters, coordinating supplies, activities, and materials across 5 laboratory sections.
Mentorship
I’ve greatly enjoyed mentoring undergraduate students in the past, guiding them through independent research projects and collaborative studies in disease ecology. While I am not currently in a position to take on new students or mentees, I remain passionate about supporting early-career scientists and encourage those interested in disease ecology to seek out research opportunities in this exciting and growing field.
Past Mentees
I’ve had the privilege of working with a number of talented undergraduate researchers over the years. Each brought unique perspectives, energy, and curiosity to our projects in ecology. I'm proud to highlight some of the students I've mentored and the exciting work they've accomplished.
Cristian Huerta
Major: Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity & German
Duration: 2023-2024
Projects: Transgenerational Effects of Infection
Emma Baird
Major: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity
Duration: 2021-2024
Projects: Senior Thesis: host specificity and gene-by-gene interactions in O. pajunii
Lindsey Selter
Major: Biology
Duration: 2023-2024
Projects: Transgenerational Effects of Infection
Riley Jaye
Major: Biology (Pre-Vet)
Duration: 2022-2024
Projects: Phenotypic Plasticity, Senior Thesis: Antibiotic Resistance in Daphnia
Taleah Nelson
Major: Microbiology, Computer Science Minor
Duration: 2022-2023
Project: Transgenerational Effects of Infection, Maternal Investment
Kasie Chappell
Major: Biological Sciences
Duration: 2018-2020
Projects: Dilution, Nutrition Effects on Infection Prevalence
Kat Coburn
Major: Biological Sciences
Duration: 2018-2020
Projects: Host-Pathogen Local Adaptation
Megan Vaandrager
Major: Biology
Duration: 2021-2022
Project: Transgenerational Immune Priming
Miranda Gonzalez
Major: Biology
Duration: 2018
Project: Host-Pathogen Local Adaption