I’ve been teaching science for almost as long as I’ve been learning it – I started as an undergraduate Learning Assistant (uLA) during my Bachelor’s at the University of Sydney, Australia, and have had the chance to follow this love around the world – completing a Ph.D. at the University of Oxford, UK and postdoctoral fellowships in Montréal, Canada and Tallahassee, Florida before finally joining UMKC in Fall 2021. My scientific background in RNA biology, cell biology, and virology means that my favorite subjects to teach cover molecular biology, cell biology, virology, and genetics; however, any subject that allows me to engage with students and help them explore science a little more deeply is one that I enjoy!
I aim to build all my classes to be diverse, inclusive, and welcoming of students from all walks of life – we all learn better when we have a chance to do so in a safe and welcoming space. I’m particularly focused on mental health, having undertaken considerable training in crisis counseling and suicide prevention, and I am more than happy to talk to anyone – student or not – who might be struggling with their mental health.
When I’m not on campus you’ll likely find me out in a forest somewhere, pursuing some of my other biological hobbies – field herpetology (a.k.a. finding snakes!),paleontology, hiking or climbing (well, falling off…) cliffs. Feel free to come by my office – even if it’s only to check out the collection of fossils!