{"id":32,"date":"2026-07-08T19:18:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T19:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/?page_id=32"},"modified":"2026-07-17T17:43:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T17:43:58","slug":"teaching","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/teaching\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In addition to research, our team contributes to a variety of teaching initiatives and undergraduate mentorship opportunities focused on biological sciences, global research ethics, conservation genomics, and DPO (Difference, Power, and Oppression) education. Teaching is an important part of our culture, and we value the opportunity to learn alongside students while supporting their academic, professional, and personal development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Study Abroad Program: Intersections of Biodiversity and Buddhist Cultures in Nepal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A faculty-led study abroad program led by Dr. Dee Denver and a graduate teaching assistant, consisting of four integrated courses delivered during a six-week field expedition across diverse regions of Nepal. This program is made possible by collaboration with our partners at Nepal’s National Trust for Nature Conservation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students participate in collaborative research projects throughout the program, exploring topics at the intersection of biodiversity, culture, and conservation. Coursework also introduces students to Buddhist philosophy and conservation genomics, from foundational concepts in DNA and genetics to firsthand exposure to portable Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Intersections of Biodiversity and Buddhist Cultures group photo in Singati, Fall 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lapchi Rechen Shepa Dorje Monastery & Meditation Center, 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Difference, Power, and Oppression (DPO) Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Bodhi Science Lab supports teaching that encourages students to critically examine the relationships between science, society, and systems of power. Through Oregon State University’s Difference, Power, and Oppression (DPO) curriculum, our faculty and graduate students contribute to courses that explore equity, justice, identity, and social responsibility. Bodhi Science Lab graduate students serve as teaching assistants for several DPO Advanced (DPOA) courses, facilitating discussion-based learning and helping students engage thoughtfully with complex social issues. Together, these courses foster critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural understanding with the goal of responsible scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BI 344: DNA, Identities, and Societies<\/em> (Taught by Dr. Dee Denver)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students critically examine how genetics intersects with questions of identity, equity, and social responsibility. Topics include the history of eugenics, the social construction of race and gender, and the ethical implications of emerging genetic technologies. The course encourages students to reflect on how scientific knowledge can both reinforce and challenge systems of oppression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BI 363: Conservation and Social Justice <\/em>(Taught by Dr. Hathai Sangsupan<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students explore the historical and contemporary relationships between conservation, colonialism, and social justice. By examining diverse perspectives on environmental stewardship and community engagement, the course encourages critical thinking about equity, inclusion, and the role of science in addressing social and environmental challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ethics in Biological Sciences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IB 517: Global Perspectives on Biological Research Ethics<\/em> (Co-taught by Dr. Dee Denver and Dr. Rebekah Sinclair<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A graduate-level course where students explore the role of ethics in biological research and scientific decision-making through case studies drawn from across the biological sciences. The course explores major Western ethical frameworks while also examining feminist, Indigenous, and other global perspectives. Students develop practical tools for evaluating ethical questions and navigating the broader social responsibilities and challenges of biological research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Foundational Biology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

BI 221: Principle of Biology: Cells<\/em> (Taught by Dr. Lori J. Kayes<\/a> and Dr. Carmen Harjoe<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BI 221 is a foundational biology course taken by many undergraduate students at Oregon State University and serves as a common teaching experience for graduate students in the Integrative Biology program. The course introduces fundamental concepts in cell biology, genetics, metabolism, and the molecular basis of life while emphasizing the iterative nature of scientific inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In collaboration with the Bodhi Science Lab, BI 221 also incorporates a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) centered on nematode biodiversity. Students isolate and sequence DNA from nematodes associated with local gastropod communities, contributing data to ongoing research projects and gaining firsthand experience with authentic scientific investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition to research, our team contributes to a variety of teaching initiatives and undergraduate mentorship opportunities focused on biological sciences, global research ethics, conservation genomics, and DPO (Difference, Power, and Oppression) education. Teaching is an important part of our … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15213,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-32","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15213"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32\/revisions\/152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/bodhiscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}