While classroom instruction is a foundational aspect of the educational system, it is not sufficient for developing fully independent and creative scientists. I owe my success as a scientist to the unwavering support of fantastic mentors and strive to support the next generation of students in a similar manner through individualized training plans. As a mentor, I collaborate with my mentees to: 

(1) Define their learning needs (communication) 

(2) Design mentorship plans (documentation)

(3) Deliver targeted support (implementation)

Overall, the responsibility and privilege of mentorship is vital to supporting the next generation of researchers and I will continue to support creative, diverse, and independent scientists by defining, designing, and delivering individually tailored training plans.

My pedagogical philosophy is to evoke creativity with a constructive error climate and active learning techniques. There is a growing body of evidence that STEM students who have positive associations with failure during their learning process develop growth-mindsets, persistence, resilience, self-sufficiency, and creativity.

My instructional experience spans from elementary to graduate level classrooms and leverages my interdisciplinary training in organic chemistry, polymer science, materials science, bioengineering, drug delivery, pharmacology, immunology, and biotechnology entrepreneurship. In addition to traditional classroom settings I have taught in a variety of roles including: coaching for speech and debate camps, instructing climbing courses, and serving as a mentorship coach for Stanford postdocs.

Developing impactful technologies that solve global health challenges requires a global perspective that can only be obtained from an interdisciplinary community of scientists. Throughout my academic career, I have actively contributed to my scientific community through teaching, leadership, and outreach initiatives. To this end, I have worked to enhance accessibility of educational opportunities for faculty and students to engage with inclusion and belonging through literature, discussions, events, and seminars. In my current lab group, I have led two workshops on mental health and culturally aware mentorship to facilitate conversations and enhance student's sense of belonging. As a colleague, I will continue to seek out new educational opportunities and to cultivate an interdisciplinary team of scientists that will be critical to developing the impactful global health technologies in my research program.