Teaching and Mentoring
I teach at the University of Colorado Boulder
I hold a part-time appointment at University of Colorado Boulder where I teach introductory molecular biology classes, and in the future hope to teach Science Communication courses, as part of the Division of Continuing Education. Since I teach through continuing education, I get to work with a variety of students, from traditional degree seeking students looking for additional flexibility with the coursework to post-baccalaureate students preparing for additional school or interested in making a career change.
My teaching philosophy is founded on bringing the real world into the classroom, equipping students with the skills to succeed in class by grounding the class in educational neuroscience, and using evidence-based course design. I firmly believe in the power of biology education to make a positive impact on the world and creating an educational experience that is meaningful and useful to students long after the semester ends.
Online Course Offerings through Coursera
Locations of students around the world, as of summer 2026
Biology Everywhere
I collaborated with the Office of Academic and Learning Innovation at University of Colorado Boulder to create two specializations (and 8 courses) on Coursera.
My first specialization, Biology Everywhere, is based on my book, Biology Everywhere.
This course covers topics such as cell biology, conservation, and genetics as they apply to your daily life. The course touches on current biological issues in today’s society, while also relating the study of biology to other fields, such as business, art, and chemistry.
Since its launch in 2020, over 20,000 people around the world have enrolled in this course!, with around a third of those who initially sign up completing one of the courses
The refreshed Biology Everywhere course launches in Fall 2026!
Designing Effective Science Communication
My second specialization and mini course, Designing Effective Science Communication, are on evidence-based science communication.
What you'll learn in this course:
Describe principles of human learning that are important to consider when designing science outreach activities.
Compare and contrast modalities for science communication/outreach.
Identify common pitfalls in science communication/outreach.
Design a science communication/outreach activity based on principles learned in this course.
Over 10,000 people from around the world have enrolled in one of my science-communication courses from around the world!
The science communication course offerings are undergoing a refresh in Fall 2026, and will relaunch in late 2026/early 2027!
Research Interests and Mentoring
In addition to my affiliation with Division of Continuing Education at the University of Colorado Boulder, I am also a research scientist within the Institute of Cognitive Science.
My research interests integrate my molecular biology and learning sciences backgrounds to take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding teaching and learning within educational contexts, including formal classroom learning and informal/science communication spaces.
In addition, I mentor a team of undergraduate students on their independent research projects, including serving as the advisor on honors theses.
One of our current projects is investigating the impact of direct instruction on evidence-based study strategies on improving student performance in first-year biology classes. We are also examining if our intervention promotes equity among biology students by closing achievement gaps between minorized/disadvantaged groups and non-minoritized/non-disadvantaged groups.
In addition, we are also studying quilts as a modality for science communication. Our hypothesis is that since quilts are a familiar object with cultural significance, they may provide a safe gateway to curiosity in science topics by engaging the public without triggering cognitive phenomena like motivated reasoning. Creation of quilt blocks, which is the activity I’m co-facilitating here, is also a way that different communities can co-create science narratives.
You can read more about my science quilts and view my work about quilts here.
To read our latest research findings, please view my Google Scholar Profile.
Two of my students presenting their research at the CU’s Center for STEM Learning annual symposium in Fall 2025.