Teaching
My science teaching: from the bench to the classroom.
Undergraduate and graduate courses in microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, and scientific literacy; workshops for early-career scientists; and published data-analysis reports on science education.
01 · Courses
Recent courses taught
Course descriptions adapted from the institutions’ catalogs.
Lynn University
College of Arts and Sciences- SCI 325Undergraduate
Microbiology
This course presents an introduction to the morphology, physiology, life history, and ecology of microbes and viruses with a medical and host-microbe interaction focus.
- SCI 131Undergraduate
General Chemistry II
This course continues from SCI 130 and presents an introduction to the properties of solutions, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, spontaneous processes, and entropy, and the chemistry of representative elements from the periodic table.
Lynn catalog - SCI 392Undergraduate
Undergraduate Biochemistry
A study of substances found in living organisms and the chemical reactions underlying life processes. The structure and behavior of biomolecules will be discussed, with an emphasis on carbohydrates, fats (lipids), proteins, and nucleic acids. Other biomolecules will be mentioned.
Lynn catalog - SCI 650Graduate
Graduate Biochemistry
This course provides an overview of the main aspects of biochemistry by relating molecular interactions to their effects on the organism as a whole, particularly in human biology. Students explore current concepts in biochemical research and the molecular basis of life, including the structures and functions of proteins, enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Topics include bioenergetics, enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, and the regulation of biological and biochemical processes, with an emphasis on health, disease, physiology, medicine, and biological research.
Lynn catalog - SCI 500Graduate
Journal Club in Biological Sciences
An intensive discussion of current peer-reviewed literature in biology, medicine, and related disciplines, with an emphasis on empirical research articles published within the last several years. The course takes the format of a journal club, an established part of graduate training in many research and health-related disciplines. All students both present and actively engage in discussion and analysis of current peer-reviewed literature.
Lynn catalog - DSL 200Undergraduate
Dialogues of Scientific Literacy
This course focuses on how science applies to the real world including its impact on aspects of business, the environment, health, and politics.
Lynn catalog - SCI 695Graduate
Advanced Topics in Biology
This graduate-level course offers students the opportunity for in-depth, advanced study in the biological sciences. The topics of this course may vary, but my focus is on immunology special topics.
Lynn catalog
Larkin University
College of Biomedical Sciences- MSB 503Graduate
Biochemistry 1
Formerly MSB 501 · Medical Biochemistry 1
This course introduces the fundamental aspects of biological chemistry from a biochemical and medical perspective. It provides an overview of the structure, function, and metabolism of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and evaluates in detail enzyme kinetics, including activation, inhibition, and allosteric interactions in metabolic pathways and the flow of genetic information. Students learn to elaborate on specific biochemical pathways and how they interface with human diseases — etiology, diagnosis, and treatment — and to apply biochemical concepts to scientific biomedical research.
- MSB 502Graduate
Biochemistry 2
Also listed as Medical Biochemistry 2
Builds on Medical Biochemistry 1 to apply the chemistry of biomolecules from tissue-, organ-specific, and clinical standpoints. Students implement higher levels of learning to analyze clinical scenarios, evaluate possible biochemical outcomes, and address biochemical deficiencies or malfunctions, elaborating on specific pathways and how they interface with human disease etiology, diagnosis, and treatment, and applying biochemistry to biomedical research.
- MSB 513Graduate
Immunology
Fundamental concepts of immunology, including the immune system’s role in human health and disease, as well as serological and antibody-based methods used in clinical and biomedical research laboratories. Reviews the biological effects of immunological reactions, antibody formation and interactions, and the immunological specificity of normal and diseased cells and tissues.
- MSB 520Graduate
Molecular Genetics
Explores the genetic influences that impact human development from conception through the prenatal, neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and adult stages. Screening protocols, gene therapy, and new treatment and scientific modalities are covered, including pharmacogenetics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, and genomics.
02 · Workshops
Recent workshops
Mentorship, career pathways, computational biology, and hands-on scientific method.
2024
From Mentee to Leader: Harnessing Mentorship and Branding in Science
OneDay MicroRetreat · Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologists · San Juan, PR
Explored the transformative role of mentorship and personal branding in scientific careers. Drawing from personal experiences and real-world examples, I guided early-career scientists through strategies to cultivate meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, build professional visibility, and transition from being guided to becoming a leader. Attendees gained practical tools to shape their scientific identity, leverage networks, and align their values with long-term career goals.
2024
Career Pathways and Opportunities in STEM: Computational and Systems Biology
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) · Pittsburgh, PA
Provided students with insight into diverse career trajectories within computational and systems biology, sharing personal experiences navigating academia and interdisciplinary research and highlighting opportunities in data-driven biomedical science, environmental health, and biomarker discovery. Attendees were introduced to practical strategies for building competitive STEM careers, including mentorship, skill development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
2019
Computational and Systems Biology to Identify Biomarkers in Environmental Health Studies: from Indoor Pollution to the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria
Session: Deconvoluting disease biomarkers with computational tools · ABRCMS · Anaheim, CA
Introduced students to computational tools and systems biology approaches for identifying disease biomarkers in environmental health contexts. Using case studies ranging from indoor air pollution to post-disaster exposure following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the session demonstrated how integrative bioinformatics, data modeling, and exposure science reveal insights into health risks and resilience, and encouraged careers at the intersection of computational biology and environmental health.
2017
Image Analysis in Biological Sciences: from Western Blot to Data-Driven Decisions
Miami Dade College–North Campus (in person) & University of Puerto Rico–Carolina (video conference)
Presented July 5, 2017, in collaboration with Dr. José Santiago Santana. Students learned to describe and implement image analysis protocols to extract data from Western blot analysis.
About Dr. Santiago Santana2017
Doing Science: from Start to Finish
Thomas Armstrong High School · Ponce, Puerto Rico
The workshop’s goal was for students to describe, implement, and analyze the different epicycles of the scientific method.
Workshop materials
03 · Science education
Published reports in science education
Data-driven evaluations of assessment, misconceptions, and learning in biology and microbiology courses.
Correct/Incorrect Ratio in Staining Techniques in Microbiology Lab
Evaluated the proportion of correct answers in two Microbiology Lab sections during a practical session of staining techniques (Gram, acid-fast, and endospore stains). Students identified two unknown bacteria and described cell shape and arrangement; responses were analyzed by section, lab table, gender, and correctness across the five variables.
Data Analysis in a General Education Biology Course after the First Summative
Data analysis of the General Education Biology course taught during the 2016-3 summer term at Miami Dade College — a web-enhanced course for non-science majors through Blackboard Learn. Performed just after the first of three exams, the report addresses relationships between formative work (short quizzes, polling questions, discussion preparation) and the first exam.
Data Analysis on a Survey Administered to Students on the First Day of Class in a General Education Biology Course
Evaluates responses to a first-day survey in General Education Biology (BSC1005) at Miami Dade College during the 2016-2 term. For open-ended questions, the most frequent words and total words per response were determined; for the remaining questions, the proportion of answers was calculated.
Relationship between Formative Assessments and a Summative Assessment in an Introductory Microbiology Lab Course
Evaluated relationships between formative assessments (low-stake quizzes, reading assignments, in-class polling) and a summative midterm exam. Pre-test scores from the first day of class were compared to midterm scores, and earlier formative results were compared with recent ones to assess student progress.
Peer-Evaluations as an Intervention Tool to Identify Students’ Misconceptions and Interpretation Errors in the Streak-Plate Method in an Introductory Microbiology Lab Course
Peer assessment was used to identify shared misconceptions and interpretation errors in the streak plate method. Students from two lab sections streaked four nutrient agar plates from a mixed culture, then peer-assessed the plates; scores were compared with the professor’s. Mean differences varied in one section and were significantly overestimated in the other, suggesting shared misconceptions — and positioning peer assessment as an intervention tool for corrective learning.