TEACHING / MENTORING / SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE
Supervisor for Data Processing Assistants
During the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 academic years, I supervised 3 undergraduate student workers and interns whom I taught how to perform sound data analysis with Raven Pro software. I planned and led training sessions, and throughout the semester, I communicated regularly with the undergraduate students to review goals and objectives, answer questions, discuss concerns, troubleshoot issues, and check on progress.
Guest Lecturer
Starting in the 2019 spring semester (Jan 2019 – May 2023), I have given guest lectures and lab lectures in several classes within the West Virginia University Division of Forestry and Natural Resources: WMAN 175 - Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, WMAN 224 - Vertebrate Natural History, WMAN 300 - Wildlife and Fisheries Techniques, WMAN 426 - Ornithology, and WMAN 493B - Introduction to Quantitative Ecology. Lecture topics have included avian annual cycles, avian migration, avian capture techniques, avian evolution and life history traits, avian field study design, and identification of waterfowl and passerine bird species. I have also co-led several field trips and mist-netting / banding demonstrations for students.
Bird Mist-netting and Banding Training Workshop Leader
During the 2018–2019, 2019–2020, and 2020–2021 academic years, I organized a workshop series and trained a total of 12 undergraduate students (~4 per academic year) to set up mist nets, extract birds, take bird measurements, and band birds in conjunction with an ongoing bird banding research project.
Teaching Assistant
During the 2015 fall semester (Aug 2015 – Dec 2015), I served as a Teaching Assistant for WMAN/FOR 421 - Renewable Resources Policy and Governance, an online course offered by the West Virginia University Division of Forestry and Natural Resources with 160 students total. As part of my duties, I constructed quiz/exam questions based on online lecture materials and graded written assignments.
Athletics Tutor
During the 2013 fall semester (Sep 2013 – Dec 2013), I worked as an athletics tutor for West Virginia University Athletics. I was assigned a student-athlete to work with one-on-one and developed a study plan for WMAN 224 - Vertebrate Natural History.
Mentor for "Gains in Education of Math and Science" Summer Program
From Jun 2013 – Aug 2013, I worked as a "near-peer" mentor for a science summer program offered by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD). I supervised 4 groups of 10–15 children in grades 5 through 7 for multiple week-long programs. Each week, I developed lesson plans and led laboratory experiments related to genetics, biomedical science, toxicology, and biotechnology.
Supervisor for Data Processing Assistants
During the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 academic years, I supervised 3 undergraduate student workers and interns whom I taught how to perform sound data analysis with Raven Pro software. I planned and led training sessions, and throughout the semester, I communicated regularly with the undergraduate students to review goals and objectives, answer questions, discuss concerns, troubleshoot issues, and check on progress.
Guest Lecturer
Starting in the 2019 spring semester (Jan 2019 – May 2023), I have given guest lectures and lab lectures in several classes within the West Virginia University Division of Forestry and Natural Resources: WMAN 175 - Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, WMAN 224 - Vertebrate Natural History, WMAN 300 - Wildlife and Fisheries Techniques, WMAN 426 - Ornithology, and WMAN 493B - Introduction to Quantitative Ecology. Lecture topics have included avian annual cycles, avian migration, avian capture techniques, avian evolution and life history traits, avian field study design, and identification of waterfowl and passerine bird species. I have also co-led several field trips and mist-netting / banding demonstrations for students.
Bird Mist-netting and Banding Training Workshop Leader
During the 2018–2019, 2019–2020, and 2020–2021 academic years, I organized a workshop series and trained a total of 12 undergraduate students (~4 per academic year) to set up mist nets, extract birds, take bird measurements, and band birds in conjunction with an ongoing bird banding research project.
Teaching Assistant
During the 2015 fall semester (Aug 2015 – Dec 2015), I served as a Teaching Assistant for WMAN/FOR 421 - Renewable Resources Policy and Governance, an online course offered by the West Virginia University Division of Forestry and Natural Resources with 160 students total. As part of my duties, I constructed quiz/exam questions based on online lecture materials and graded written assignments.
Athletics Tutor
During the 2013 fall semester (Sep 2013 – Dec 2013), I worked as an athletics tutor for West Virginia University Athletics. I was assigned a student-athlete to work with one-on-one and developed a study plan for WMAN 224 - Vertebrate Natural History.
Mentor for "Gains in Education of Math and Science" Summer Program
From Jun 2013 – Aug 2013, I worked as a "near-peer" mentor for a science summer program offered by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD). I supervised 4 groups of 10–15 children in grades 5 through 7 for multiple week-long programs. Each week, I developed lesson plans and led laboratory experiments related to genetics, biomedical science, toxicology, and biotechnology.
OUTREACH
“Letters to a Pre-Scientist” Program
As a participant of the "Letters to a Pre-Scientist" program since 2017, I write and exchange letters with a student in middle school who may be interested in science. The purpose is to encourage young students, especially those in under-represented groups and in high-poverty areas, to be interested in and pursue scientific fields.
Science Communication through Social Media
I use Facebook (All That Wildlife), Instagram (@allthatwildlife), and Twitter (@AllThatWildlife) as tools for science communication and public outreach. I aim to post wildlife or nature photos multiple times per week, with accompanying interesting facts about the subject. I also post about my research, field work, and general thoughts as a wildlife biologist. My goals are to inspire interest in wildlife and nature, as well as to give the public an insight into the life of a scientist. As an Asian-American woman with a suburban upbringing, I also hope to show that people of all backgrounds can be a wildlife biologist.
Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia Education Volunteer
Starting in 2018, I began to assist with and eventually lead educational and community programs with education birds (including "Crystal" the Eastern Screech-Owl and "Westley" the American Kestrel) from the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve the region’s wild birds through research, education, and rehabilitation.
Environmental Education and Outreach
I have led and participated in multiple environmental education programs and presentations, such as:
Webpage last updated: 7.5.2023
“Letters to a Pre-Scientist” Program
As a participant of the "Letters to a Pre-Scientist" program since 2017, I write and exchange letters with a student in middle school who may be interested in science. The purpose is to encourage young students, especially those in under-represented groups and in high-poverty areas, to be interested in and pursue scientific fields.
Science Communication through Social Media
I use Facebook (All That Wildlife), Instagram (@allthatwildlife), and Twitter (@AllThatWildlife) as tools for science communication and public outreach. I aim to post wildlife or nature photos multiple times per week, with accompanying interesting facts about the subject. I also post about my research, field work, and general thoughts as a wildlife biologist. My goals are to inspire interest in wildlife and nature, as well as to give the public an insight into the life of a scientist. As an Asian-American woman with a suburban upbringing, I also hope to show that people of all backgrounds can be a wildlife biologist.
Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia Education Volunteer
Starting in 2018, I began to assist with and eventually lead educational and community programs with education birds (including "Crystal" the Eastern Screech-Owl and "Westley" the American Kestrel) from the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve the region’s wild birds through research, education, and rehabilitation.
Environmental Education and Outreach
I have led and participated in multiple environmental education programs and presentations, such as:
- Assisting members of the public who attended shorebird viewing stations and birding field trips in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge in Homer, Alaska
- Co-leading a public demonstration of mist-netting and banding birds at the West Virginia University Core Arboretum in Morgantown, West Virginia
- Assisting with a demonstration of mist-netting and banding birds at Suncrest Elementary School in Morgantown, West Virginia, and explaining the career of a wildlife biologist to ~100 students in first grade
- Leading a wildlife outreach program at a Dover Public Library event -- I obtained an assortment of educational mammal, bird, and insect specimens and talked to around 50 children, aged 3 to 16, about various bird, mammal, and insect facts
- Presenting talks to local ornithological organizations (Mountaineer Audubon Society, Delmarva Ornithological Society) and community groups (Sundale Nursing Home, Harford County chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Valley Hills Garden Club)
- Representing the Aeroecology Lab at University of Delaware’s Ag Day, a community event that focuses on educating people about agriculture and natural resources, and talking to a diversity of people about bird migration and research
- Representing the University of Delaware and the Aeroecology Lab at GreenFest, a sustainability festival targeting families, and talking to parents and children about bird migration and research
- Participating in "Discover Life in West Virginia," a citizen science/community outreach program, led by the West Virginia University student chapter of the American Fisheries Society, and educating the public about fisheries sampling techniques
- Volunteering with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources at their annual National Hunting and Fishing Days event and assisting with various educational activities, including fish identification and casting practice
Webpage last updated: 7.5.2023
