"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
This quote by Confucius captures the essence of experiential learning—true understanding arises from active participation. Across both academic and non-academic settings, I have consistently demonstrated the value of engaging learners through hands-on experiences that deepen comprehension and retention. My professional experience spans several branches of STEM education, with a consistent focus on experiential learning, whether in formal classrooms or through community outreach.
Before pursuing my PhD, I managed the Truckee Demonstration Garden and volunteered as a Master Gardener while working for the Town of Truckee’s Recycling & Solid Waste division.
During my time at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), I honed my teaching skills by effectively conveying complex biological concepts to a diverse student population.
In addition to my paid positions, I also volunteered for several local non-profits.
This quote by Confucius captures the essence of experiential learning—true understanding arises from active participation. Across both academic and non-academic settings, I have consistently demonstrated the value of engaging learners through hands-on experiences that deepen comprehension and retention. My professional experience spans several branches of STEM education, with a consistent focus on experiential learning, whether in formal classrooms or through community outreach.
Before pursuing my PhD, I managed the Truckee Demonstration Garden and volunteered as a Master Gardener while working for the Town of Truckee’s Recycling & Solid Waste division.
- As Garden Manager, I prioritized inclusivity by collaborating with programs like ‘Sierra Senior Services’ and ‘Choices’ to engage senior citizens and developmentally disabled adults. I also led garden tours for school groups from the Tahoe-Truckee area, combining hands-on learning with environmental education.
- In my dual roles as a UC Master Gardener and Garden Manager, I facilitated collaborations between the organizations, organizing and leading free public workshops on high-elevation, short-season gardening and phenology studies on local vegetable varieties, thereby engaging the community in experiential learning.
- Additionally, my work with the Town of Truckee included managing the ‘Keep Truckee Green’ campaign and conducting outreach at local events and schools to promote waste reduction.
During my time at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), I honed my teaching skills by effectively conveying complex biological concepts to a diverse student population.
- In response to the rise of generative AI, in fall of 2023 we adapted coursework (Biol 415 - Evolution) away from traditional assignments - summary essays of scientific journal articles - that are susceptible to AI plagiarism to a final group podcast project where students create their own podcast on an evolutionary topic relevant to their interests and/or future careers. Having TA-ed this course for 8 semesters, I appreciated the faculty’s openness to integrating TA's insights into these changes.
- I mentored and trained 8 undergraduate students in both fieldwork techniques and lab procedures, including insect collection, morphotyping, and sample preparation for LC-MS analysis.
- In my position TA-ing Biol 192, I provided students with hands-on experience in scientific inquiry, from formulating hypotheses and designing experiments to analyzing data and presenting their findings, directly aligning with my commitment to experiential teaching.
- Leading K-12 school tours at UNR's Natural History Museum further strengthened my ability to communicate science in an engaging and accessible manner, fostering a passion for the subject among young learners while meeting state educational standards.
- Additionally, my collaboration with Nevada farmers through the Cooperative Extension enriched my understanding of the practical application of biological knowledge, particularly in agriculture.
In addition to my paid positions, I also volunteered for several local non-profits.
- With the Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships, I led outdoor science lessons for middle school students, guiding them in designing and analyzing observational experiments.
- I also served as a STEM Camp Leader with Sierra Nevada Journeys, co-chaperoning a camp cabin and leading field surveys and team-building activities that introduced 4th grade girls to fire ecology and outdoor science in the Sierra Nevada.
- For Nevada Bugs & Butterflies, I volunteered as a docent, leading hands-on activities in local elementary classrooms, including live "insect petting zoos," to teach insect ecology.
Teaching Assistant, Evolution
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV
Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Fall 2019
Lead discussion groups on topics including: roles of mutation, genetic drift, gene flow and natural selection; mechanisms through which new species arise; construct and interpret phylogenies.
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV
Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Fall 2019
Lead discussion groups on topics including: roles of mutation, genetic drift, gene flow and natural selection; mechanisms through which new species arise; construct and interpret phylogenies.
Research Assistant, Cooperative Extension
University of Nevada, Reno
February-October 2022
Assisted with outreach including Hemp Field Days, wrote and published Extension Fact Sheets, and lead undergraduate workers in final field experiment data collection and harvest.
University of Nevada, Reno
February-October 2022
Assisted with outreach including Hemp Field Days, wrote and published Extension Fact Sheets, and lead undergraduate workers in final field experiment data collection and harvest.
Teaching Assistant, Natural History Museum - K-12 Tours and Outreach
University of Nevada, Reno
Fall 2018- Spring 2019
Lead museum tours for K-12 school groups, develop science-based curriculum using Nevada state education science standards, organize special events throughout the academic calendar.
University of Nevada, Reno
Fall 2018- Spring 2019
Lead museum tours for K-12 school groups, develop science-based curriculum using Nevada state education science standards, organize special events throughout the academic calendar.
Teaching Assistant, Principles of Biological Investigation Lab
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV
Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018
Lead laboratory instruction of undergraduates, including the use of research equipment, common investigative techniques, and the fundamentals of scientific writing.
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV
Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018
Lead laboratory instruction of undergraduates, including the use of research equipment, common investigative techniques, and the fundamentals of scientific writing.
Cooperative Extension-Master Gardener Volunteer
University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources South Lake Tahoe, CA
Spring 2015-Fall 2016
Facilitate and present free public workshops on high elevation, short season gardening, vermiculture, composting and integrated pest management and facilitated penology studies on local vegetable varieties.
University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources South Lake Tahoe, CA
Spring 2015-Fall 2016
Facilitate and present free public workshops on high elevation, short season gardening, vermiculture, composting and integrated pest management and facilitated penology studies on local vegetable varieties.
Garden Manager - Truckee Demonstration Garden
Slow Food Lake Tahoe (Truckee, CA)
March 2015- August 2016
Lead school tours of the garden and outreach events for the public including with 'Choice's' and 'Sierra Seniors Services' - non-profits for adults with developmental disabilities and senior citizen, respectively .
Slow Food Lake Tahoe (Truckee, CA)
March 2015- August 2016
Lead school tours of the garden and outreach events for the public including with 'Choice's' and 'Sierra Seniors Services' - non-profits for adults with developmental disabilities and senior citizen, respectively .
