Teaching philosophy
As an ecologist, I aim to teach my students not only what is known in the scientific community, but also how to think like a scientist. It is important for students to engage with and understand the environment they are learning about, thus I encourage experiential learning. I have taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses and I believe that critical thinking, writing, and the ability to problem solve and synthesize information are the most important things for students to learn.
Teaching Experience
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Lead Instructor
Animal Behaviour (2022) Field Ecology (2023) Teaching Assistant (University of Guelph) 2018-Present Courses: Introduction to Biodiversity, Animal Behaviour, Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation, Evolutionary Ecology, and Field Ecology. Teaching Assistant (Stony Brook University) 2016-2018 Courses: Marine Apex Predators, Conservation and Biology of Seabirds. Ecology Summer Camp Leader (Archbold Biological Station) 2016 Program: Led and organized programs for the Archbold Biological Station Ecology Summer Camp Undergraduate tutor (Paul Smith's College) 2011-2015 Courses: General ecology, Wildlife management, Advanced Wildlife techniques, and Ornithology Guest lecturer (Benedictine College) 2021 Courses: Animal Behaviour Guest lecturer (University of Guelph) 2019-Present Courses: Scientific communication, Animal Behaviour, Field Ecology Guest lecturer (Stony Brook University) 2017 Courses: Marine Apex Predators |
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Mentoring philosophy
As a mentor, I aim to make a contribution to the development of students and their career goals. Productive relationships with mentees are based on clear communication, respect, humility, hard work, and humor. During my MSc and PhD research, I have mentored fifteen students (both graduate and undergraduate). Most of these students were mentored in the field during active research and some were thesis students under my supervision. Many of my mentees have gone on to acquire additional positions in ecological studies and several of them have been awarded research grants.
Mentoring Experience
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Karen Ong - MSc student - University of Guelph (2020-present)
Kathryn Nicol - Field Assistant - University of Guelph (2021) Joschka McLeod – Undergraduate Thesis Student – University of Guelph (2020-2021)
Andre Picard – Field Assistant – University of Guelph (2020) Cheyenne Patterson Garand – Field Assistant – St. Lawrence College (2020) Eloise Hind-Smith – Field Assistant – University of Guelph (2019) Violeta Onland – MSc Internship – Wageningen University (2019) Kimberly Lato – MSc student – Stony Brook University (2019) Maria Amella – MSc Internship – Stony Brook University (2018) |
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