Academics

Teaching is central to my work as an educator-researcher. I teach neuroscience across a range of levels, from undergraduate non-majors to adult learners in fully online graduate programs, and I approach each course with the same underlying commitments: design learning environments where students feel they belong, and challenge them to think and work like scientists.

My courses are built around active, collaborative learning. Students work in cooperative learning groups, engage with primary literature, and practice applying content to new problems rather than recalling facts in isolation. I also author the open educational resources I use in my courses, which means I can revise them directly in response to what students need.

Teaching Philosophy Highlights

My student-centered learning environments centers are built on four principles:

  1. Challenging students to think and work like scientists through evidence-based teaching practices and authentic assessment
  2. Creating a classroom where failure is viewed as part of the learning process and revision is expected but sufficient scaffolding of content is provided to increase student success
  3. Creating structure with built-in flexibility, so unexpected life events don't derail student success
  4. Being transparent about pedagogy — what I ask students to do, why I ask it, and how it connects to their future
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Current Courses

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NEU 300 Neurobiology

One-semester introductory neuroscience course for non-neuroscience undergraduate majors. Taught in a synchronous hybrid modality allowing student choice and flexibility for class attendance. Most recent syllabus

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NEU 848 Cellular and Molecular Medical Neuroscience

New course: Fall 2026. This course will provide the first semester of a two-semester series. It focuses on genetic, molecular, and cellular biology of the nervous system with an emphasis on medical applications. Taught fully online for individuals enrolled in the Medical Neuroscience Master of Science and the Medical Neuroscience Graduate Certificate.

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NEU 849 Medical Neuroscience Systems and Anatomy

New course: Spring 2027. This course will provide the second semester of a two-semester series. It focuses on anatomy and physiology of neuronal mechanisms that regulate behavior, learning, and cognition with an emphasis on medical applications. Taught fully online for individuals enrolled in the Medical Neuroscience Master of Science and the Medical Neuroscience Graduate Certificate.

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NEU 846 Neurobiology of Nervous System Disorders

This course explores the biological foundations of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Students will examine how disease mechanisms contribute to well-known and lesser-known conditions, while also analyzing how social determinants of health (SDoH) shape disease risk, progression, and care. Taught fully online for individuals enrolled in the Medical Neuroscience Master of Science and the Medical Neuroscience Graduate Certificate. Most recent syllabus

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NEU 841 Medical Neuroscience

Final semester: Spring 2026. Detailed survey of nervous system structure and function with an emphasis on medical applications. Taught fully online for individuals enrolled in the Medical Neuroscience Master of Science and the Medical Neuroscience Graduate Certificate. Most recent syllabus

Other Roles

Administration

I have served as Director of Online Programs in the MSU Neuroscience Program since 2015, overseeing the Medical Neuroscience Graduate Certificate from its launch through its continued growth. This work includes student advising and tracking, faculty support, program assessment, and marketing. I will direct the proposed online MS program when it begins. 

Curriculum Development

In 2025, I designed the curriculum for a new online MS in Medical Neuroscience. This work included creating new courses, revising current courses, establishing partnerships with departments and colleges across campus, completing a market analysis to predict future success of the program, and shepherding the proposal through appropriate university channels. Prior to this, I also designed the curriculum for our Medical Neuroscience Online Graduate Certificate, developed undergraduate and graduate courses, and created workshops and facilitated learning communities for faculty.

Digital Accessibility

Since 2022, I have served as Digital Accessibility Coordinator for the College of Natural Science. In this role, I manage the college's accessibility compliance process, coordinate departmental accessibility liaisons, and work with MSU's Office of Civil Rights and IT to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to course content across NatSci.