Teaching & Mentoring

Teaching Experience

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• Fall 2022 Guest Lecturer on RNAi-based biopesticides for ENTOM 830: Molecular Entomology Lecture at KSU. Prepared and delivered a guest lecture on the theory, delivery, challenges, and safety of RNAi-based biopesticides. 

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• ​Spring 2017 & 2019 Teaching Assistant for ENTOM 857: Toxicology of Insecticides Laboratory at KSU. Readied supplies, graded reports, and co-instructed laboratory sessions. 4 and 7 students per semester, respectively. Participated in the 2020 K-State’s Faculty Exchange for Teaching Excellence Fall Workshop offered by the KSU Teaching and Learning Center.

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• Fall 2014 Teaching Assistant for BIOL 2011: Biology of the Cell Laboratory at ASU. Readied supplies, wrote and graded quizzes, and co-instructed two laboratory sections (37 & 13 students). The smaller class was an honors section.

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• Spring 2013: Co-instructor of BIOL 4513: Plant Physiology at ASU. Developed and co-taught a discussion-based course based on the textbook Plant Physiology, 5th ed. by Taiz & Zeiger. Oversaw student-led discussions of each week’s chapter. Selected and presented relevant primary literature for weekly discussions. 

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• 2011-2013 Graduate Fellow in K-12 STEM Education at South Mississippi County Elementary in Wilson, AR. Developed lesson plans for hands-on experiments and labs following the K8 Science Frameworks for Arkansas, and performed them with fourth and sixth-grade science classes once a week during the school year. Attended ASU GK12 pedagogy training during the summers of 2011 and 2012. Participated in the Advanced Methods and Materials for Teaching Middle and Secondary School (ESCI 6913) course at ASU in the Fall of 2011. 

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• Summer 2006 Seasonal Educator at Sunset Zoological Park in Manhattan, KS. Wrote curricula for summer clubs and taught them to 7 to 9-year-olds. Toured students around the park for biology-oriented activities.

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Mentoring Experience

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2021 Research Co-Mentor in K. Silver's Toxicology Laboratory at KSU

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Instructed undergraduates on proper research techniques and presentation skills, as well as advised and assisted them with their individual projects. 

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3 Students Mentored:

• Kaitlin Pfeiffer (Oct.-Dec. 2022) Undergraduate Researcher

• Ayden Boyles (Oct.-Dec. 2021) Undergraduate Researcher

• Lynze Kotschegarow (Oct.-Dec. 2021) Undergraduate Researcher

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2015-2019 Research Co-Mentor in K. Y. Zhu's Insect Molecular Toxicology Laboratory at KSU

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Instructed undergraduates on proper research techniques and presentation skills, as well as advised and assisted them with their individual projects. Instructed master's students on insect rearing and molecular techniques (e.g., RT-qPCR, RNAi, molecular cloning). Attended Supervising Students on the Job training through the KSU Division of Human Resources in 2014, and mentor training sessions offered by the KSU Plant Pathology Research and Extension Experiences for Undergrads (REEU) program in the summer of 2019. 

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10 Students Mentored:

• Maggie Romano (Oct.-Dec. 2019) Undergraduate Researcher

• Marie Biondi (May-Jul. 2019) Plant Pathology REEU Intern

• Kyah Featherston (Jun. 2018-Apr 2019) M.S. Student

• Lina Parks (Oct.-Dec. 2018) Undergraduate Researcher

• Miriam Reyanldo (Oct. 2018-Feb. 2019) Undergraduate Researcher

• Jun Bai (Mar.-Aug. 2017) Visiting M.S. Student

• Mylah Knight (Aug.-Dec. 2017) Undergraduate Researcher

• Kyle Ismert (Aug.-Dec. 2017) Undergraduate Researcher

• Basak Coskun (Jan. 2016-Jun. 2017) M.S. Student

• Luke Pfannenstiel (Oct.-Dec. 2015) Student Volunteer

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2010-2014 Research Co-Mentor/Supervisor in T. D. Marsico's Evolutionary Ecology Laboratory at ASU

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Instructed undergraduates on proper research techniques and presentation skills, as well as advised and assisted them with their individual projects. Edited and assisted with student's fellowship and graduate school applications. Instructed a new master’s student on laboratory techniques and research in the plant culture lab and insect rearing facility.

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13 Students Mentored:

• Katie Nelson (Dec. 2013-Feb. 2014) Student Worker

• Arizona Smith (Aug.-Dec. 2013) Work-Study

• Bradly Rodgers (Aug.-Dec. 2013) Student Worker

• Jaimie Teel (Jun.-Jul. 2013) Arkansas STRIVE Intern

• C. Lindsey Mull (Jun.-Aug. 2013) Student Worker

• John Kilmer (Jan.-Mar. 2013) M.S. Student

• Kassandra Riley (Jul. 2012-May 2013) P3 Undergraduate Fellow, SURF Undergraduate Fellow

• Martina Garda (May-Aug. 2012) Student Worker

• Kayla Parker (Aug.-Oct. 2011) P3 Undergraduate Fellow

• Emily Mizell (Sep. 2010-May 2012) Student Worker

• Candace Arnold (Sep.-Dec. 2010) Student Volunteer

• Lysbeth Perez (Jun.-Aug. 2010) NSF REU RISE Student

• Faye Stephens (Jun.-Aug. 2010) NSF REU RISE Student

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Co-authored Student Poster Presentations

(Presenters italicized; undergraduate authors underlined)

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12. Pfeiffer, K., Cooper, A.M.W., Mitzel, D., Silver, K. (Poster) Analysis of Culex tarsalis behavior during EPG via video recordings. Sixth Annual Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (8 Dec. 2022), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.

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11. Kotschegarow, L., Cooper, A. M. W., Silver, K. (Poster) Effects of temperature on Culex tarsalis blood feeding. Fifth Annual Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (9 Dec. 2021), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.

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10. Boyles, A., Cooper, A. M. W., Silver, K. (Poster) Effects of acclimation position on detachment of tethered Culex quinquefasciatus. Fifth Annual Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (9 Dec. 2021), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. (https://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/41890).

 

9. Romano, M., Cooper, A. M. W., Yu, Z., Shi, X., Zhu, K. Y. (Poster) Application of RNA interference to analyze the function of    soluble guanylyl cyclase α Subunit (SGCα) gene in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Fourth Annual                      Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (10 Dec. 2019), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.

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8. Biondi, M., Cooper, A. M. W., Song, H., Yu, Z., Zhu, K. Y. (Poster) Effects of pH on double-stranded RNA stability in European  corn borer nucleases. Plant Pathology Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates Research Symposium (25      Jul. 2019), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (http://hdl.handle.net/2097/40102).

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7. Reyanldo, M., Cooper, A. M. W., Song, H., Yu, Z., Zhang, H., Silver, K., Zhang, J., Zhu, K. Y. (Poster) Effects of nanoparticles on    double-stranded RNA stability in corn soil. Third Annual Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (6 Dec.              2018), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (http://hdl.handle.net/2097/40135).

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6. Parks, L., Cooper, A. M. W., Song, H., Yu, Z., Zhang, H., Silver, K., Zhang, J., Zhu, K. Y. (Poster) Effects of nanoparticles on            double-stranded RNA stability in moth hemolymph. Third Annual Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (6      Dec. 2018), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (http://hdl.handle.net/2097/40140).

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5. Knight, M., Cooper, A. M. W., Silver, K., Zhu, K. Y. (Poster) Effects of EDTA feeding on survival and development of                European corn borer larvae. Second Annual Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (7 Dec. 2017), Kansas            State University, Manhattan, KS (http://hdl.handle.net/2097/39191).

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4. Ismert, K., Cooper, A. M. W., Silver, K., Zhu, K. Y. (Poster) Effects of feeding Fluorescent Brightener 28 and Blue Dextran to    European corn borer larvae. Second Annual Entomology Undergraduate Research Symposium (7 Dec. 2017), Kansas            State University, Manhattan, KS (http://hdl.handle.net/2097/39183).

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3. Riley, K., Woodard, A. M., Marsico, T. D. (Poster) Can they finish together?: Development of a standard operating                procedure for synchronization of a duel species cactus moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) laboratory colony. Association of      Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting (10-13 Apr. 2013), Charleston, WV.

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2. Kilmer, J., Woodard, A. M., Phillips, G., Medina-Bolivar, F., Marsico, T. D. (Poster) Alternatives to pesticide use: The                  biosynthesis of signaling compounds to activate endogenous plant defenses. Arkansas Soil & Water Education                  Conference (31 Jan. 2013), Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR.

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1. Stephens, F., Woodard, A. M., Marsico, T. D. (Poster) Data analysis for a field key for identification of cactophagous moth    eggsticks. Research Internships in Science of the Environment (RISE) Student Symposium (5 Aug. 2010), Arkansas State      University, Jonesboro, AR.