TEACHING PHILOSOPHIES

I am dedicated to teaching students how to think critically, rather than what to think to support curiosity, encourage creativity, foster independence, and promote problem-solving no matter what life path they choose to take or experiences they may endure.

"I NEVER TEACH MY PUPILS; I ONLY ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY CAN LEARN."

-Albert Einstein

"THE WHOLE ART OF TEACHING IS ONLY THE ART OF AWAKENING THE NATURAL CURIOSITY OF YOUNG MINDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SATISFYING IT AFTERWARDS."

- Anatole France

TEACHER TRAINING

FUTURE FACULTY ENTERING MENTORING TRAINING

Mentoring intensive certificate courses on mentoring pedagogy, skills, and techniques for an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming mentoring environment.

Emory University, 2024

EMPOWERING INTERDISCIPLINARY TEACHING AND SCHOLARSHIP

Teaching intensive courses on the development of interdisciplinary courses and lessons.

Emory University, 2023

EMORY FOUNDATIONS FOR ONLINE TEACHING

Teaching intensive course on the development of online teaching skills and encouraging class participation and inclusivity in a virtual/hybrid environment

Emory University, 2022

TATTO

Emory University, 2022

Teaching intensive course on the development of teaching and course objectives, lectures, exam questions, and more.

SCIENTISTS TEACHING SCIENCE

Teaching intensive course on the development of teaching and course objectives, lectures, exam questions, and more.

Emory University, 2021

Current and Former Mentees

Many of my former mentees have been successful during our time working together and beyond.

Mentored 2022-2023

Elena Perez

During Elena's time in our lab, she investigated how different retrograde tracers selectively label alpha motoneurons (publication in prep). After just 3 short months of working together, she already had enough data to present at SEMSS in Birmingham, AL, and received a travel grant. Elena was also a stellar student for my NBB course I instructed and published two articles under my mentorship for Grey Matters Emory. Elena is currently working in the lab of Dr. Laurie Sanders' lab at Duke University and will soon be attending a neuroscience masters program and the University of St. Andrews.

Mentored 2023-2025

Veronica Amore Sanchez

While working with me for 2.5yrs, Veronica focused on the microglia receptor, TREM2's role in motoneuron cell death, and the permanent loss of VGluT1 synapses following peripheral nerve axotomy. Her work will hopefully help elucidate why the stretch reflex is permanently lost following peripheral nerve injury despite regeneration and reinnervation.

Mentored Summer. 2023

Patricia Correa Torres

Through Emory University's SURE/SIRE program, Patricia worked with us for 12 weeks to investigate how knocking out microglia receptor TREM2 altered basal microglia numbers, and the number of microglia that contact surviving and dying motoneurons following Peripheral Nerve Injury. At the end of her summer, Patricia presented her work at the SURE Program Research Symposia. Patricia is currently a senior at the University of Puerto Rico and plans to attend Pharmacy School thereafter.

Mentored 2024-2025

Desi Naini Ukmar

Desi recently joined our team for her senior year of undergrad. Desi is actively pursuing an honors project investigating the effect of microglia receptor, TREM2, on muscle reinnervation following peripheral nerve injury. Desi hopes to acquire a post-bac following graduation in the spring of 2025.

TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE

Instructor

Emory University

Instructor for Emory University's Course Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases and Disorders (NBB470)