Editor Degrees

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cornell University, New York
• B.S. in Chemistry with Honors, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania

About Teaching and CourseSource

Over the last 15 years, I have continually shifted my biochemistry teaching from primarily lecture-based to more interactive modes of learning. We do a variety of activities, from students working in groups on questions related to the topic in class, to discussing papers, to using computers to visualize proteins. Over the last two years I have worked to make the last two weeks of class essentially lecture-free. When we reach this point in the term the students are comfortable with biochemical terminology and with my instructional style. This allows me the freedom to use more open-ended pedagogical techniques. The students work in groups to answer questions, then we share answers and I give a brief discussion of areas they have questions about. I am still honing these activities because teaching is always a work in progress.