About Me

I’m originally from New Hampshire but currently live in Syracuse, NY after living in Ithaca, NY for four years. Prior to that, I spent seven years in Colorado for grad school. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Zoology with a minor in Animal Behavior at the University of New Hampshire, my Masters of Science in Zoology at Colorado State University, and my Ph.D. in Biological Education from the University of Northern Colorado. 

 

My postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University focused on developing an assessment to measure students' critical thinking skills in ecology experimental contexts (i.e., the Biology Lab Inventory of Critical thinking in Ecology, or Eco-BLIC). You can learn more about the Eco-BLIC and other related instruments, as well as try out the Eco-BLIC for potential use in your classroom, on the Cornell Discipline-Based Education Research webpage: https://cder.as.cornell.edu/biology

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I began a Faculty Fellow position in Biology Education Research in the Department of Biology at Syracuse University in August 2024! I lead an independent research program centered on the critical thinking of undergraduates and how instructors operationalize critical thinking in the STEM classroom using backward design, with the intent to develop course materials and pedagogical tools for STEM curricula based on the findings. I also lead a multi-disciplinary research team to investigate student success and retention in introductory (generally large-enrollment) STEM courses at Syracuse University and develop appropriate pedagogical and inclusive interventions, with a particular focus on underrepresented students (e.g., first-generation, racial minorities).

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I love to collaborate and am involved in a number of other research projects ranging from how STEM instructors define and integrate inclusion in their courses, to how we can measure the learner-centeredness and equity-mindedness of teaching philosophies.

Outside of teaching and research, you can find me enjoying the outdoors and hiking around state and national parks. But I also love a good snowy day to curl up on the couch with a hot cup of coffee and read! As a true New Englander, I'm a diehard New England sports fan and will never pass up an opportunity to eat a lobster roll or visit the beach.