GEN 409 Molecular Genetics (Fall 2018, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023; offered every fall semester). Co-instructor with Michelle Guo. Upper division undergraduate course (3 credits). This course is a requirement for Genetics majors and is an advanced elective for Biology majors. This course covers the principles of molecular genetics with an emphasis on experimental evidence from recent published literature. Topics covered include: molecular organization of genes and genomes; molecular mechanisms of transcription, translation and the regulation of gene expression. Current technologies used in genomics and genome editing are highlighted. Required textbook: GENOMES 5.
GDCB 545 Plant Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (Fall 2019, Fall 2021, Fall 2023; offered alt odd years). Co-instructor with Joe Aung. Graduate level course (3 credits, lecture). This course covers recent advances in these fields. This is an advanced course intended primarily for graduate students, but upper division undergraduates are also welcome. This course is a core course for Plant Biology graduate students and an elective for IGG, BCB, and MCDB students. The format is discussion based and uses current primary literature as a key learning resource.
GDCB 513 Plant Metabolism (Fall 2022; offered in alt even years). Co-instructor with Marna Yandeau-Nelson. Graduate level course (3 credits, lecture). This course covers recent advances in central and specialized plant metabolism through an in-depth analysis of current primary literature. This is an advanced course intended primarily for graduate students, but upper division undergraduates are also welcome. This course is a core course for Plant Biology graduate students and an elective for IGG, BCB, and MCDB students. The format is lecture and discussion based, with opportunities for team-based learning and development of scientific communication skills.
Amaizing Roots - A Science Bound Residential program offered every summer. This one-week long summer short course offers experiential learning for 20 pre-college students of color on campus at ISU using our state-of-the-art teaching laboratories. I developed this residential course with support from the American Society of Plant Biologists via a BLOOME award (Summer 2022). This year, I am excited to offer this course again via support from NSF in collaboration with Justin Walley (Summer 2023). Science Bound scholars learn about the roles of functions of maize root systems, examine examples of how to link genotype to phenotype, perform phenotype measurements and hormone response assays using our published method, analyze their data with statistical tests, build their team work skills, and develop their communication skills via poster presentations.