Mentoring
I believe that meaningful mentorship is one of the most important contributions a scientist can make to the broader research community. Since 2017, I have been mentoring undergraduate research assistants, summer high-school researchers, and science fair participants in the Graze Lab at Auburn University. I help mentees develop scientific thinking, technical skills, and confidence in their abilities — connecting them to larger questions in biology while equipping them with hands-on training in molecular biology and the Drosophila model system. I strive to create an inclusive and encouraging environment that sparks lasting curiosity and prepares students for independent research careers.
High School Researchers & Science Fair Mentees
Kangmin Park — High School Student — 2025–2026
- Project: The Effect of Insulin-Like Peptides on Lipid Levels in Drosophila
- Presentation: Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF), 2026
Sania Kazmi — High School Student — 2024–2025
- Project: Genetic Variation in Heat Stress in Drosophila melanogaster
- Presentation: Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF), Auburn University, 2025
Irene Park and Rishad Israil — High School Researchers (presented at the CASE-REU Research Symposium) — Summer 2023
- Project: The Effect of Roundup on Drosophila Feeding
- Presentation: CASE-REU Research Symposium, Auburn University, 2023
Summer Research Mentees (CASE-REU & Auburn Undergraduate)
Yaseen Ellison and John Henry Cruz — CASE-REU Summer Research Fellows (visiting from partner institutions)
Michael C. Pursley — Auburn University Undergraduate Researcher
Summer 2019
- Project: Endocrine Disruptor Has No Effect on Courtship Behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster
- Presentation: CASE-REU Research Symposium, Auburn University, 2019
Auburn Undergraduate Research Assistants
Over the years, I have had the privilege of training the following Auburn University undergraduate researchers in Drosophila molecular biology, experimental design, and reproducible data analysis:
Bella Blair Adrian Moolman Thomas Krauss Denise Horner Bayley Atkins Carter Zittrouer Amanda (Mandy) Murdock Michael Pursley Michael Chen Cat Dougherty Aaron Aldaz Luke Knight Preston Luby Justin Payne Katie Finkelman Anna Grace Brown
Mentoring Approach
My mentoring style is hands-on and project-based. I begin by introducing mentees to the Drosophila model system and core experimental techniques, then work with them to develop focused, achievable research questions. I emphasize careful experimental design, clear record-keeping, and reproducible data analysis. I also work to demystify the scientific process — showing students that productive science involves iteration, troubleshooting, and learning from unexpected results.