DR. AMANDA  WHISPELL

Kutztown University

Kutztown, PA, USA

2019

Zoology - Laboratory

• Taught students how to perform proper dissections and use both compound and dissecting microscopes 

• Helped students comprehend the importance of the accumulation of evolutionary advancements in the different phyla in Kingdom Animalia 

• Instructed students on the best way (synapomorphies) to identify members of each phyla

• Taught students the physiological and anatomical differences between representative members of some of the major phyla

• Took students on field trip to practice field identification skills, aquatic sampling methodology, and proper use a field notebook.

2018 – 2019

Introduction to Biology - Lecture

• Used interactive activities, class discussions, i-clicker quizzes, online assignments, and lectures to teach non-biology majors about basic biological concepts; major topics covered include:

  • Mitosis and cancer

  • Meiosis, the concept of heredity, and Mendelian genetics

  • Evolution and the theory of evolution by natural selection

  • Differences between bacterial and viral infections in relationship to antibiotic and vaccine functionality

  • Facts about genetic engineering and why it is controversial 

  • General ecology, the importance of biodiversity, and the challenges of conservation biology

  • Climate change and the role each student plays in the world through the choices they make everyday

• Taught students how to do their own research in lieu of believing what they see on social media

2017 – 2019

Introduction to Biology - Laboratory

• Taught non-biology majors general biological topics related to the scientific method and critical thinking.

• Used laboratory time to clarify challenging lecture topics, including: natural selection, mitosis, meiosis, DNA structure, etc.

2018 

Invertebrate Biology - Laboratory & Lecture

• Assisted students in learning the anatomy, behavior, ecology, and evolutionary relationships between all metazoan invertebrate phyla and subphyla

• Encouraged student self-synthesis and integration of topics across all phyla

• Created a laboratory manual that aided student understanding of concepts ranging from evolutionary relationships to feeding mechanisms across all invertebrate phyla

2017 – 2018

Principles of Biology - Laboratory

• Taught students fundamental biological topics related to the scientific method, essential laboratory skills, experimental design, and analysis of experimental results

• Aided students in the development of scientific writing and proper citations

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Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Brunswick, NJ, USA

2014 – 2015

Biological Research Laboratory

• Fostered a supportive, discussion-based environment that encouraged students to openly participate, ask, and answer questions without concern for judgement

• Aided students’ in learning the basics of hypothesis-based science by using real-life examples and situations as metaphors with which they could relate

• Created diagrams, images, and charts that helped students to understand concepts and not simply memorize answers

• Working in small groups, trained students to perform, fully comprehend, and understand the importance of several molecular biology techniques, including DNA isolation and purification, polymerase chain reactions, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequence analysis

2011 – 2014

Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II

• Generated laboratory lessons, exercises, and hand-on activities that encouraged small group learning, and provided students with the opportunity to ask and answer their own questions and teach one another

• Used videos, diagrams, models, and interactive discussion to engage students and help them to identify and understand the functions and interactions associated with the different parts of the human body

• Utilized dissection of different organisms, along with hand-drawn, color-coded coloring pages and diagrams, to teach comparative anatomy and illustrate differences between human and other organismal anatomy

• Created handouts, online learning resources, quizzes, and practical exams that required students to integrate knowledge from different parts of the course  

2010 – 2011

General Biology I and II

• Used hands-on, in-class activities to teach students basic cellular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and taxonomy

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University of New England

Portland, ME, USA

2009

Introductory Anatomy and Physiology

• Prepared and taught a detailed curriculum using a mix of hands-on group activities, coupled with thought-provoking homework assignments, and comprehensive exams.