Physics 

Courses: PHYS 353, PHYS 414, 415, 417, ASTR 123 

In my courses you will: 

• Practice foundational, transferrable skills. 
• Learn with and from peers. 

I was invited into the Teaching Academy because: 

• I participated in a Summer Institute on Scientific Teaching. 

In what ways are you working to make your teaching inclusive?

On the first day, I make a statement about promoting an inclusive environment where all opinions can be voiced in a civil, respectful manner. I also ask how students would prefer to be addressed. During the course of the term, I encourage and ask for feedback so that all students feel welcome to contribute to the discourse and ask questions.  

What do you do in terms of professional engagement with the teaching and learning culture on campus or nationally? 

I attended the Summer institute for Summer Teaching and was an active participant in the SLP/TEP journal club. I regularly seek out trusted colleagues on new approaches to scientific teaching. I have been an active presenter on the latest scientific discoveries for QuarkNet which brings in high school science teachers from all across Oregon. 

In what ways was your teaching in this course research-led—informed by research on how students learn and inflected by UO’s research mission? 

I clearly state course objectives with the aim that students have a clear idea of the course's goals. For larger classes, I incorporate group activities as a learning and evaluation tool. I try my best to incorporate my high energy theory background/research into the course's material to make connections beyond the coursework.  
  
What do you love about physics?

The most exciting aspect of my field of study, theoretical particle physics, is being part of an international endeavor to understand the Universe's building blocks at its most fundamental. Science driven primarily by curiosity alone is a strong motivation that resonates with the students. It’s amazing to be a participant in this intellectual journey.