Please find brief descriptions and recent syllabi for courses I regularly teach below
A problem-based workshop course that uses primary research articles and a curiosity-driven, open-ended laboratory research project to make sense of complicated biology and empower each student to build a big-picture view of this fast-moving, interdisciplinary field. Key themes include: immune cell specification and development; molecular recognition and immune cell signaling; generation of immunological memory; and cancer immunotherapies. Learning strategies include problem solving, small group discussion, and facilitated analysis of the primary literature. Spring 2024 Bio352 Syllabus.
An opportunity to apply evolutionary thinking to the prevention and treatment of human disease. Course themes include: pathogen evolution; evolution of defense mechanisms; reproductive medicine; cancer as an evolutionary process; reproductive medicine; horizontal gene transfer; evolutionary medicine in the age of genome editing. A seminar course with an emphasis on the primary research literature. Spring 2024 Bio317 Syllabus.
A senior seminar in Health Studies focused on immunotherapy for human disease. Immunotherapy is an emerging and fast-moving field that uses a fundamental understanding of the immune system to discover and develop novel treatments for complex human diseases including cancers, autoimmune conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases. We will begin the semester with a broad introduction to human immunology. Subsequent topics will include: Immunotherapy for blood cancers and solid tumors; engineering immune cells and signaling molecules for immunotherapy; immunotherapy for neurodegenerative diseases. This seminar will also provide a forum for critical discussion of pressing challenges that confront the field, with an emphasis on the high cost and availability of these cutting-edge therapeutics. HLTH B398 F23 Immunotherapy Course Info.