What area(s) of scholarship are you most interested in?
My primary area of interest is human health and disease, specifically persistent illnesses such as cardiovascular and immune-mediated diseases. My PhD research focused on chronic diseases and exploring new methods to predict a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future. My teaching interests include outcomes of problem-based learning, especially in group-oriented classroom settings where students are first presented with a problem and then learn about a new health-related concept.
What course(s) will you be teaching this year?
I currently teach HLTA02 (Foundations in Health Studies I). During the Winter semester, I will be teaching HLTB22 (Biological Determinants of Health) and HLTC22 (Health, Aging and the Life Cycle).
What made you choose U of T Scarborough?
I enjoy the strong sense of community and diverse, suburban setting. I grew up in Pickering, just near the Rouge National Park, so UTSC is very close to home and, thankfully, located next to beautiful natural landmarks. I am intrigued by how much the campus is growing in size and numbers. I am also fortunate to work among a talented group of faculty and students in the Department of Health and Society. Drawing my knowledge from a range of disciplinary perspectives makes it exciting to come to work every day.
What is one interesting teaching technique you enjoy doing with your students?
It can be challenging for students to develop scientific vocabulary when learning new health-related concepts. I like to facilitate knowledge translation and exchange activities by adapting ways of communicating science and research findings to diverse audiences. Undergraduate programs in the Department of Health and Society include both BA and BSc majors, so I enjoy communicating critical information by focusing on captivating visuals rather than text in the classroom.
What are you reading/watching right now?
I am reading Learning to Talk by Hilary Mantel. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy collections of short stories. I just finished watching House of the Dragon and Rings of Power – sci-fi, fantasy and drama are my favourite TV and movie genres!