I have a B.S. in biological sciences with an emphasis on neurobiology, physiology, and behavior from Arizona State University. While learning all aspects of biology relating to my major, my strongest emphasis is on physiological responses to environmental factors in vertebrates.
During my undergraduate years at ASU, I worked closely with Dr. Dale DeNardo who is the attending veterinarian at ASU as well as an associate professor. I have been in his lab for over four years and still assist undergraduates in conducting projects for the lab. Such projects involve a variety of desert reptile species including western diamond-backed rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, Mexican beaded lizards, etc. Through my time in the lab I have acquired a myriad of laboratory skills which include lab equipment maintenance, conducting lab material inventory, preparing samples for analysis, and animal husbandry. I have also learned valuable skills in the realm of scientific literature for which I have presented scientific posters at symposiums and have co-written two scientific publications (currently in review).
My current work in the realm of scientific education involves being teacher assistants for multiple professors at ASU and becoming a high school science teacher at a Title I school. For my work at ASU, I oversaw multiple students on biological concepts as well as assist in curriculum and lesson planning for the professors. These skills later became more prominent when I became a high school science teacher at a Title I charter school. This school had limited resources, no curriculum for the sciences, and unmotivated students. Throughout the school year, I have created an entirely new curriculum for biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, and anatomy and physiology. These curriculum include active learning techniques, original assessments, and informative lectures to keep students engaged. Furthermore, due to the limited laboratory equipment available due to funds. I have had to become scientifically creative to ensure that the protocol is followed and that the students understand the scientific method properly.