My own interest in science is due in large part to the inspirational teachers I had throughout the years, as well as the good fortune to participate in a wide range of research projects in high school and college. I am grateful to be able to provide similar opportunities to students. I have led several classes in animal behavior and ecology, and have ensured rich and meaningful experiences through use of exciting media, hands-on inquiry-based activities, and interaction with professional scientists.

I have a strong commitment to supporting diversity in the sciences. As an instructor, I make sure that assigned readings and in-class examples reflect female scientists and scientists of color. In lecture, I also include short videos of scientists from different backgrounds describing their research in their own words, so my students see more faces than just mine advocating for the field.

I have incorporated a strong mentorship component into my own research. Many current students and recent undergraduates have conducted a variety of field and laboratory-based projects with me. More than 10 undergraduates are co-authors on publications with me.

Teaching Experience: (bold denotes Full Instructor)

University of California Davis

• Fall 2018: Instructor, EVE 100 Intro to Evolution
• Spring 2017: Instructor, EVE 100 Intro to Evolution
  
• Winter 2017: Instructor, EVE 100 Intro to Evolution
  
• Winter 2016: Instructor, WFC 141 Behavioral Ecology
  
• Fall 2013: Instructor, EVE 100 Intro to Evolution
  
• Summer 2013: Instructor, NPB 102 Animal Behavior
  
• Fall 2012: Instructor, EVE 100 Intro to Evolution
• Co-Instructor, Animal Behavior Graduate Core Course, Spring 2007-16
• Guest Lecture, Animal Communication Course, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
• Guest Lecture, Freshman Seminar, 2009
• Guest Lecture, Behavioral Ecology, 2008, 2010
• Guest Lecture, Animal Behavior Course, Summer 2006

University of California Berkeley

• Instructor- IB 144/ESPM C126 Animal Behavior
• Course Coordinator- Research Reviews in Animal Behavior, 2004-2005
• Grader/Organizational TA, Behavioral Ecology (2005)
• Head TA/Course Coordinator, Animal Behavior (2002, 2003)
• Lab TA, Mammalogy, 2001
• Co-Leader, Field Ecology Section, Intro. Bio, 1998-1999
• TA, Intro Bio, 2000, 2004

Mentorship:

Supervising  and Training of Field Assistants

• Field leader, White-crowned Sparrow Migration Study, Toolik Field Station, Alaska, 2014
• Tree Swallow Dispersal Study, Cornell University, 1997 (3 undergraduates)
• Dissertation Research, UC Berkeley 1998-2005 (2 undergraduates, 6 post-graduates)
• Sage-grouse research, UC Davis (>40 post-graduates)

Supervising and Training of Lab Assistants

• Zebra Finch Study, Cornell University, 1997-1998 (3 undergraduates)
• Dissertation Research, UC Berkeley, 1998-2005 (3 undergraduates)
• Postdoctoral Research, UC Davis, 2006-present (>300 undergraduates), under my coordination, lab received 2012 UC Davis Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship of Undergraduate Research (to PI Gail Patricelli), and in 2016 a graduate student award in mentorship to Anna Perry.

Supervising and Training of Teaching Assistants

• Introduction to Evolution, UC Davis (2 graduate TA’s, 2 graders per quarter)
• Introductory Biology, including Field Ecology Section, UC Berkeley (10 undergraduate TA’s)
• Animal Behavior course (instructor and TA), UC Berkeley (6 graduate TA’s and 1 undergraduate TA)
• Behavioral Ecology Course, UC Berkeley (developed peer mentoring system with 2  undergrad TA’s)

Workshops and Training

• Entering Mentoring: quarter-long HHMI/UCD Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program workshop.
• UC Davis Office of Research Laboratory Management Institute Fellowship