I have taught across the lifespan — from pre-K and first-grade classrooms to undergraduate students
(including mentoring thesis students) to older adults (ages 50+) at the Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute at Dartmouth, where I design discussion-based courses for retirees eager to engage with
cutting-edge research. My formal training includes coursework through the Dartmouth Center for
Advanced Learning, as well as training in education policy and socioemotional learning strategies
through the Careers in Education program at UChicago, supported by the
Milgrom Education Impact Fellowship.
Overall, I approach teaching as an adaptive, learner-centered process shaped by context, age, and
goals. For my undergraduate teaching and mentorship, I have received the Marie A. Center 1982 Award for Excellence in Teaching and two
Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Awards. See the tabs below for more on my
Undergraduate Teaching & Mentorship,
Independent Teaching (Osher Courses),
and Programs & Outreach
that I recommend to others interested in teaching.
Undergraduate Teaching
I have served as a Teaching Assistant in Dartmouth's Psychological and Brain Sciences Department for the following courses. After completing my TAships, I was awarded my department's Marie A. Center 1982 Award for Excellence in Teaching 🏆.
Fall 2023:Introduction to Neuroscience🏆 Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award
Winter 2023:Introduction to Neuroscience🏆 Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award
Fall 2022:Introduction to Neuroscience
Spring 2022:Psychological Research Methods
Undergraduate Mentorship
I have mentored several undergraduate researchers, including three thesis students across the Cognitive Science, Psychology, and Neuroscience departments, as well as two additional students on formal research projects. I enjoyed giving students the space to develop truly independent research directions, even when those extended beyond my own current work. For instance, my thesis students explored topics including social identity and reappraisal, individual variation in dialogue and conversation, and the relationship between depression and idiosyncratic perception. All three thesis students received fellowships for their work, and I supported each of their grant applications. See my CV for more details.
"Her ability to pinpoint what was important was amazing, but she also went above and beyond by making sure that we understood — and didn't memorize — key topics."
— Undergraduate student, Intro to Neuroscience, Winter 2023
"I think she was the reason that I did well in this class and want to continue to pursue classes in the Neuroscience department."
— Undergraduate student, Intro to Neuroscience, Fall 2022
I design and teach courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dartmouth, serving retirees and adults approaching retirement. I both design the curriculum and deliver the lectures, creating an engaging, discussion-based learning environment. See my courses and reviews here
If you are an Osher student, class materials are on the Osher Courses page.
Experience in the Eye of the Beholder: How Individual Brains Create Reality II
Fall 2025
This course explores the fascinating world of individual consciousness and subjective experience, examining how each person's unique mental landscape emerges from brain activity. We explore cutting-edge methods scientists use to study the individual brain—from neuroimaging techniques that reveal personal thought patterns to innovative approaches for measuring subjective states like emotions, memories, and perceptions. The course addresses fundamental questions: How do we study something as personal as individual experience? What makes each mind unique?
Experience in the Eye of the Beholder: How Individual Brains Create Reality I
Summer 2025
The first version of this course exploring individual consciousness and subjective experience, examining how scientists are beginning to study not just what people are thinking, but how they experience it. This course combines lecture with class discussions and insights from my own research on how people understand the world differently from one another.
Diverse Minds: What We Know and Don't Know About Psychiatric Conditions
Winter 2025
This course explores the diversity of the human brain, offering a comprehensive introduction to the complex interactions between brain structure, function, and behavior. The goal is to focus on a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions (such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder) alongside neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Given the diversity of topics, this is designed as a multi-part series.
Brain and Behavior Part 2: How Do We Process the World Around Us?
Spring 2024
This course extends the exploration of cognitive neuroscience by examining how we perceive and interpret our surroundings, building on the concepts introduced in the first part. The class introduces the broad landscape of cognitive neuroscience through both readings and hands-on psychological experiments.
Brain and Behavior: How Are They Linked?
Fall 2022, Winter 2023
This course explores how the brain supports behaviors such as learning, memory, and processing information. It emphasizes the uniqueness of individual brains and how we each perceive the world differently. The course involves hands-on psychological experiments to illustrate key concepts, starting with the basics of vision and developing into more complex processes like language, emotion, and creativity.
"I loved how she adjusted her topics to the direction of the class discussion. It is clear the instructor was very well prepared and versed in the material to be able to do this."
— Osher participant, Spring 2024
"She was very knowledgeable but was always prepared to check out something where she needed help with the answer — refreshing to have a class with a young Ph.D. student who was so enthusiastic."
— Osher participant, Fall 2022
Prior to starting graduate school, I worked and volunteered in early childhood education settings (pre-K and first grade) in Chicago and the Bay Area. Here are a couple of programs that make getting involved with this type of work particularly easy and accessible:
Project SHORTSupporting students through the graduate school application process
Skype a ScientistBringing science into classrooms through interactive virtual sessions
iMentorMentoring high school students on their academic journeys
JumpstartSupporting early childhood education and foundational learning
SplashTeaching hands-on classes to curious high school students