As a teacher:

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...my vision is to craft environments that promote creative curiosity and affirm the strength of diversity to generate new ideas and knowledge.

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...my mission is to contribute meaningful new knowledge to our understanding of the microbial world, and to share the curiosity and wonder of the natural world that motivates me; and through these efforts, to inspire and empower all students to find success and to carry the world forward with inquisitiveness and benevolence.

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I teach microbiology at Macalester College. I am fortunate to study an inherently fascinating and cool topic (at least that's what I think). Invisible to the naked eye, microorganisms have shaped nearly every facet of our environments in some way, and continue to be a driving force in our world and society (especially now... those darn viruses...). I am also fortunate to work with smart, engaged, interesting, and diverse students.

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I enjoy learning about cognitive research that I can use in the classroom to encourage more effective learning and studying practices. I am also committed to learning about and applying methodology to make the classroom and laboratory (and beyond) more inclusive and supportive to students who possess non-dominant identities. Understanding the ways that my social identity has contributed to my experience in academia and science is part of this process.

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The study of Microbiology encompasses the most ancient, diverse, and abundant collection of organisms on our planet. Understanding how these microorganisms interact with humans is a unifying theme in my courses. We consider both pathogenic interactions (i.e. infectious diseases) and commensal relationships with a critical focus on the human microbiome. In the lab portion, our goals include learning basic microbiological techniques and applying these to studies of the students' independent design. This reinforces sound hypotheses and execution of the scientific method.

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I've recently been incorporating more practical microbiology into my curriculum as well, in part to balance out the emphases on microbes as "bad bugs" and pathogens. In my class, we have cultured sourdough starters and made bread, visited sewage treatment plants, and toured a local brewery (check out the Mac news story here). I hope these experiences give students a different lens into the microbiology constantly occurring in and around them, and maybe I'll even inspire a new hobby.