Teaching with technology
I enjoy teaching at Iowa because of the relaxed and pleasant environment in which one can do high quality science. In the classroom, I use web-based learning to provide students with the most up-to-date information and analytical tools. The web also provides access to the most recent high-impact articles for teaching biological concepts and data interpretation.

Mentoring students
I have mentored many students at Iowa, including one graduate student from Cascade, Iowa, who taught me a lot about Iowa and its people. I’ve also worked closely with several talented undergraduate researchers who have been supported by the Iowa Research Experiences for Undergraduates (IREU) program, which is associated with our major NSF research grants.

Research opportunities for undergrads
The IREU awards offer talented and motivated undergraduates a chance to conduct independent research in funded labs. The experience reveals to students whether they have a true longing and knack for graduate education and an interest in academic research. Even if they do not wish to become researchers, the IREU and other undergraduate research opportunities, such as summer internships through the UI Undergraduate Research Program, provide excellent hands-on training and nurture the critical need for curiosity and perseverance in undergraduates. These qualities form a solid foundation for many future endeavors.

Advice for students
I would encourage incoming students to think big and use the University to make yourself not only highly trained for a profession but also to become a better, more tolerant, and compassionate individual.