Structure-function studies of muscle and cytoskeletal proteins
Pedagogical Interests
Skills widely considered integral to scientific research include
critical thinking, deductive reasoning and experimental analysis and
design. Undergraduate students considering careers in research
benefit by opportunities to practice these skills. Furthermore,
critical thinking, experimental analysis and deductive reasoning are
tools regularly used by physicians; thus, premed students can benefit
by experiences to improve these skills. Indeed, a recent report
issued by a committee of collaborators from the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute (HHMI) and the Association of American Medical Colleges
(AAMC), states:
"There is widespread agreement that it is important to:
(1) educate future physicians to be inquisitive; (2) help them build
a strong scientific foundation for future medical practice; and (3)
equip them with the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to integrate
new scientific discovery into their medical practice throughout their
professional lives and to share this knowledge with patients and other
health care professionals." Source: June, 2009
"Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians" Report of
the AAMC-HHMI Committee, www.aamc.org/scientificfoundations
I am interested in developing improved ways to teach the biological
sciences through inquiry and problem-solving. I am an advocate
of teaching undergraduate science through research, whether directly
at the bench or through analysis of primary scientific literature.
I use a variety of active-learning approaches in the classroom, including
small group discussion and 'clickers'.
