Teaching and Mentorship

Teaching Philosophy

I view teaching as a reciprocal process of creating authentic connections between individuals, concepts, and contexts that influence the worldview of both teacher and learner alike. I strive to support this philosophy as an instructor and mentor with equitable and evidence-based teaching strategies that promote the development of deliberate scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills.

Student Mentorship

Current research mentees
Joshua Reid, Clemson University
Project: The relationship between tooth complexity and diet in reef-associated fishes. Josh contributed as a co-lead author on a poster presented at Clemson's 19th Focus on Creative Inquiry Forum.

Past research mentees
Lanier Nelson, Clemson University
(mentored January 2023-May 2024)
Project: The relationship between tooth complexity and diet in reef-associated fishes. Lanier's work has led to two co-lead author poster presentations at Clemson's 18th and 19th Focus on Creative Inquiry Forum.

Phong Tran, Clemson University
(mentored September 2022-May 2024)
Project: The relationship between tooth complexity and diet in reef-associated fishes. Phong presented his work twice as a co-lead author on posters presented at Clemson's 18th and 19th Focus on Creative Inquiry Forum.

Teaching Experience

Lecturer at Tri-County Technical College: Biological Science I (1 semester, current)

Graduate Teaching Assistant at Clemson University:
Functional Human Anatomy Lab (1 semester, current)
Principles of Biology Lab (4 semesters, 1 as Lead Teaching Assistant)
Vertebrate Biology Lab (3 semesters)

Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Minnesota:
Conservation Genetics Lecture (2 semesters)
Herpetology Lab (1 semester)

3D Slicer Workshop at Clemson University:
Taught a single-day workshop on how to use 3D Slicer

Guest lectures:
Rhodes College- Co-led a paper discussion on research methods in Dr. Kelly Diamond's Comparative Vertebrate Morphology course
University of Minnesota- Gave guest lectures on methods in conservation genetics as a graduate teaching assistant

From left to right: Josh, Phong, and Lanier presenting their work at Clemson's 19th Focus on Creative Inquiry Forum. Also featured: 3D-prints of fish teeth!

Clemson 3D Slicer workshop participants proudly showing off their volume rendering skills!