In this episode of PEPTalks, host Dr. Amy Graham is joined by Alona Kladieva to discuss her love of languages, teaching English as a second language both here and abroad, and her experiences as a graduate student from Ukraine during times of war. Throughout the episode, Alona shares her journey, offering insights into language instruction and the transformative power of education. From discussing innovative teaching methodologies to the importance of cultural sensitivity in language learning, Alona provides invaluable advice for both educators and learners alike.

Alona is a first-year Ph.D. student in Second Language Acquisition at the University of Arizona. She is also the Co-Chair of the Curriculum and Assessment Team (CAT) where she revises and revamps student learning outcomes in the Foundation Writing Program at the university.

In this episode, Dr. Amy Graham welcomes Dr. Lisa Rezende for an enlightening conversation about online course development in the sciences. They dive into the significance of outreach for demystifying science to the general public. Dr. Rezende, a former Business major turned Microbiology Ph.D., shares insights into giving students agency in course design and fostering a “should-free” learning environment. She also touches upon her time as the Education Director for FORCE, an organization championing families battling hereditary cancer.

A proud first-generation college graduate, Dr. Rezende earned her B.S. in Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo and later secured her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is also a past American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellow, in which she translated scientific research for the public at NPR. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, where she also heads the online programs. Among her courses are Intro Biology, Genetics, and Critical Reasoning in Biomedicine.

Dr. Kristin Winet joins Dr. Amy Graham to delve into professional development avenues for educators, particularly resources offered to graduate and postdoctoral students via the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL). This network of research institutions offers courses and workshops geared towards nurturing innovative teaching practices among its students. Together Dr. Kristin Winet and Dr. Amy Graham explore the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), the value of ongoing teacher reflection and collecting feedback, and fostering a teacher community. They further discuss the administrative roles in education and the importance of teaching authentically and building student connections.

Dr. Kristin Winet earned her B.A. at the University of Georgia and holds an M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English from the University of Arizona. Presently, she not only serves as the Program Administrator for the Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL), but also is an Associate Professor of Practice in the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology (UCATT). In this capacity, she teaches courses, workshops, and cultivates learning communities. Beyond the academic realm, Dr. Winet’s passions extend to travel writing and photography.