Teaching Overview
In the context of global change, oceanographers play a central role in characterizing the impacts of accidental petroleum releases, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, underwater mining, microplastics and nutrient loading. I believe it is my responsibility as an oceanography professor to communicate the importance of these issues, their interconnectivity with other disciplines, and the basic theory and context needed to address them. I encourage students, using an inquiry-based approach, to ask questions and design ways to test and answer those questions. It is critically important for students to make connections among, and be intellectually fluent between, the diverse disciplines (geological, chemical, biological, physical) that make oceanographic research so compelling. My focus on development of three key areas (1. hands-on field and laboratory experience, 2. interdisciplinary knowledge and 3. critical reading and effective writing skills) has produced a highly competitive, international and diverse group of science professionals who have gone on to successful careers in industry, government agencies and academia. See my CV (on the home page) for a summary of my teaching, and my graduate and undergraduate research mentoring experience.
Courses offered:
Courses offered:
- Geological Oceanography
- Introduction to Oceanography
- Earth System History
- Marine Invertebrate Paleontology
- Chemical and Physical Oceanography
- Marine Pollution
- Scientist at Sea (NSF Funded)
- Natural History of the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador (Winter Term)
- Deep Sea Exploration (Winter Term)
- Marine Research in Tobago (Winter Term)
- Gulf Explorer Program (NASEM Funded)
Undergraduate and Graduate Research Mentoring
I provide the opportunity for every student and staff member I manage, mentor, or advise to participate in, and assist with, the development of field collection efforts, from terrestrial watershed collections on foot, to deep-sea collections onboard oceanographic research vessels. Each of my mentees, research staff members, and students are actively involved in laboratory work and aid in the development or implementation of laboratory protocols. Outside of coursework, I also encourage each of the students and staff members to develop their science communication skills and professional development. This is primarily accomplished through research presentations at national and international meetings, writing research papers and review articles, and exposure to the research grant proposal process.