COURSES

Effective Scientific Communication

Graduate level class

Preparing and delivering effective scientific presentations is an important skill for graduate students in the biological sciences. This “Effective Scientific Presentation” course is designed to help students develop strong oral presentation and communication skills using powerpoint slides.

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Scientific Communication and Critical Thinking and Writing

Undergraduate level class

As scientists, it is part of our role to be able to communicate my science with people in my field, across other disciplines and the general public. Remember that the more we talk about science to a variety of people, the more we are working towards building a community that helps the general public understand the nuances and complexities of science and its importance. This is why I have designed this course to help you how to effectively construct written and oral scientific communication pieces in the biomedical field and for the public. We will also learn how to establish your presence in the science communication world which has numerous benefits like enhancing your career, building networks, increasing your knowledge portfolio, and spreading the reach of your work beyond your colleagues.

A few of the assignments that we get the opportunity to work on are:

Reading and critiquing scientific papers
PowerPoint and poster presentations
Writing specific aims and pitching grant proposals
Building an elevator pitch
Establishing your presence in science communication – science on social media
Scientific communication as a career

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Translational Immunology

Undergraduate level class

Immunology is a field that is commonly highlighted in the media and it also intersects multiple areas of biomedical science from infectious disease and vaccination to the management and treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, allergies, cancer, etc.
A wide knowledge about the body’s immune responses will helps us understand how exactly our immune system functions to protect us and the public against any disease.
In this class we:
•   Model the functions of the immune system in the healthy and immunocompromise body such as (Hypersensitivity, allergies, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency diseases and Cancer)
•   Integrate concepts from immunity into real-world medical applications such as:
o   The design of vaccines
o   Immunotherapies
o   Immunodiagnostics
o   Organ transplantation, etc.
•   We also learn how to interpret immunology literature and major modern immunological techniques used in laboratories

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Disease Models in Biomedical Research

Graduate level class

This course will explore in vivo research models to understand the pathogenesis of human diseases. A clear understanding of disease pathogenesis is critical in determining the preventing measures of the pertinent disease. However, in not so perfect world, the research models used for the study of human diseases also have their advantages and disadvantages. The course will provide a review of how to validate a model for the biomedical research along with the proper use of controls to ensure that the common pitfalls could be avoided and, experiments are performed to the highest standard possible within the necessary ethical and regulatory framework.

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Cell-Biology Concepts and Molecular Medicine of Disease

Graduate level class

I was invited in tree occasions to deliver a talk and lead article discussion about the DSS colitis mouse model, commonly used to study inflammatory bowel diseases.

What was covered in this lecture and discussion:

Understand the difference between the two types of Inflammatory disease (IBD), Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis
Understand the difference between acute vs. chronic colitis
How has the IBD mouse model has helped study this disease?
What kind of IBD models are out there?
Types of chemical induced IBD model
The most commonly use IBD model, DSS
How to induce colitis using DSS?
What are some clinical and molecular parameters researcher use to measure inflammation?
What techniques are used in the laboratory to quantify those parameters?

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Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory with CTW

For Undergraduates

Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will review and learn how to use basic equipment in the lab (micropipettes, centrifuge, spectrophotometer, gel electrophoresis apparatus, balance, etc.)

2. Students will review and learn new common laboratory skills (solution making, dilutions, standard curve construction, keeping a lab notebook, precise measuring, etc.)

3. Students will become familiar with approaches and techniques commonly used in molecular and cellular biology laboratories (enzyme kinetics, protein isolation, fractionation, restriction digest, and PCR).

4. Students will develop and improve their critical and analytical skills.

5. Students will develop their skills in technical writing (lab notebook and lab reports)

6. Students will develop and improve their skills in oral presentation.

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HONORS- Inquiry-based lab model

For undergraduates

Topic: Molecular biology of Cancer
About this course: According to the National Cancer Institute (NIH), in 2018, about 2,000,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and about 600,000 will die from this disease. As time passes by, the incidence of cancer is rising not only in the United States, but also worldwide. This course is designed for you to develop an understanding of the science of cancer. This includes: the molecular biology of cancer, biology hallmarks of cancer, the most common types of cancer, and current cancer research. In addition, this course will help you strengthen your critical thinking and communication skills while reinforcing skills and concepts learned in BIOL 2107.
Students’semester project consisted in finding “The effect of sunscreen on Saccharomyces cerevisiae”

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HONORS- Inquiry-based lab model

For undergraduates

Topic: Climate Change
Students worked in groups to carry out semester-long experiments based on an aspect of climate change of their choosing. Laboratory skills such as microscopy, pipetting, and solution-making were reinforced and new skills were introduced based on the proposed experiments. Assessments focused on the development of written and oral presentation skills. Written assignments included summarizing research from peer-reviewed articles and a collaborative lab report. Oral communication skills were reinforced when students presented the designs of their semester-long projects, represented U.N.delegations in a climate change negotiation, and argued in favor of legislation beneficial to fossil fuel interests.

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Principles of Biology II Laboratory

For undergraduates

This lab is the second portion of the Biology lab series for students majoring in Biology.
The purpose of this lab is to further develop the skills our students learned in Principles of Biology I lab (2107). By the end of the semester, they should be prepared to venture into upper-level courses as a critically-thinking scientists.

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