Biology Department

Assistant Professor of Biology

Education

B.S., Florida Institute of Technology, Science Education/Biology
M.S., Florida Institute of Technology, Environmental Education/Conservation Biology option
Ph.D., Florida Institute of Technology, Ecology & Conservation Biology
Joined Westfield State College in 2008

Specialization

Biology Education (Coordinator)
I teach science methods courses for both secondary (BIOL 390/590) and elementary/early childhood students (GNSC 360). I serve as a member of the Teacher Education Council (TEC) and the Graduate Education Council (GEC). As the coordinator for the biology department, I serve as the academic advisor for biology education students. I enjoy outreach in our local schools- interacting with teachers and students in the schools and as a workshop facilitator on campus when collaborating with WSC's Center for Teacher Education and Research. I present on pedagogical topics such as shifting lessons toward inquiry, teaching about science misconceptions, and topics related to the Technology and Engineering standards as part of the Museum of Science's Engineering is Elementary program.

Paleoecology
My dissertation research included a 370,000 yr record of vegetation and fire history around Lake Titicaca (Bolivia/Peru). I also conducted a modern analog study in which pollen, charcoal, and limnological data were collected from 35+ lakes in Peru and Bolivia along an elevational gradient. I plan on incorporating these research methods into post-glacial investigations in the Northeastern United States. I enjoy discussing the topic of paleoecology with my students as a topical seminar course and as a graduate level course (BIOL 520). I am also involved in teaching labs and/or lectures within the introductory biology sequence (BIOL 128 & BIOL 129) and first-year seminar.