Current Classes
ABS 494, Medical and Veterinary Entomology (2025 - present, Fall semester only) - Discover the arthropods and arthropod- vectored diseases that affect human and animal health, globally and in Arizona. Students develop a strong understanding of the ecology and morphology of disease-causing arthropods, as well as the major symptoms of the diseases they transmit. This class emphasizes insect-transmitted diseases in Arizona and throughout the US. Students learn about epidemiology and transmission cycles while examining current issues in medical entomology. Students also build professional skills for careers related to public health entomology, including surveillance techniques, the application of scientific data to inform disease prevention and control strategies, and effective communication with the public. This is a hands-on class with field trips and labs to sample and identify vector species.
ABS 417, Comparative Immunology (2024 - present, online class spring semester only) - Examine unique but also shared immunological characteristics of animals with the goal of understanding how different animals respond to microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Presentation of material is guided by hierarchy of structural organization, using molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, whole animals and even ecosystems and the environment to convey important concepts related to our relationships with pathogens. Students participate in regular discussions, work on projects and presentations in small groups and learn to communicate complicated immune mechanisms to a general audience.
Past Classes
BIO 202L, Anatomy and Physiology Lab (2016-2022) - As an instructor for BIO202 lab, I introduce students to human anatomy & physiology. This hands-on lab emphasizes the major human organ systems, structures, and functions. As a teaching assistant for BIO 202, I provide a working knowledge of the different tissues and anatomical terminology of the endocrine, cardiovascular, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems through lectures, dissections, histology and diagnostic activities. My goal as an instructor for 202L is to teach students how physiological systems interact with each other and how what we do in our everyday lives can affect our systems and anatomical function.
BIO 182L, Unity of Life II Lab (2018-2019) - As an instructor for BIO 182L, I provide an overview to the major plant and animal groups and an introduction on plant and animal structure, life functions, taxonomy and ecological background. I provide information and evidence of evolutionary history and relationships of these groups through lecture and hands-on experiments. Through experiences in lab exercises involving observation, manipulation, taking notes, drawing of preserved and living specimens, dissections and examining microscope slides my goals is to teach students proper scientific method as well as how to question the world around them.
BIO 223L, Vertebrate Zoology (2020) - As an instructor for BIO 223L, I teach evolution, systematics, distribution, ecology, and primary adaptations of the major vertebrate groups to undergraduate students. I use hands on experiences, including field trips to sites throughout Arizona, so students have the opportunity to observe the vertebrate groups we discuss in lab in their natural habitats.
BIO 698, Implicit Bias and Women in STEM Fields (2017 - 2023) - I developed and co-teach this graduate-level seminar with the goal to bring awareness to biases against women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields by discussing peer-reviewed articles analyzing the interactions and views of women working in male-dominated STEM fields. The goal of this seminar is for STEM graduate students to better understand and question this standard in order for future scientists to help change it. This seminar prepares early career scientist (graduate students) to have open discussions about implicit bias towards women in STEM and create awareness of the bias towards women in STEM fields.