Carly Sjogren

Education

B.A. Biology from the University of California, Riverside

Ph.D. Genetics, Genomics & Bioinformatics from the University of California, Riverside

Postdoctoral Training

Research Postdoc at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Teaching Postdoc at North Carolina State University, Raleigh

Teaching Experience

Assistant Instructor at the University of California, Riverside

Visiting Assistant Instructor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Adjunct Professor at North Carolina Central University

Research Course Design and Instructor at North Carolina State University, Raleigh

Teaching Philosophy

I am driven to make biology accessible to any student and cultivate an appreciation for team work as a requirement for scientific problem solving. Our collective variation in human experiences, abilities, and characteristics fuels our ability to solve life’s complex problems. Our intellectual community is enriched through diversity, and that without a diversity of scientists we carry out inferior science. We all belong in STEM! 

I cultivate learning communities that are safe places to learn. I believe that true learning requires making mistakes and I build trust in my learning communities that no one will be penalized for making mistakes on (formative) assignments. In our learning communities, student support is equitable regardless of any individuals’ prior knowledge, deficits or abilities. My mindset as an educator is fixated on promoting and modeling inclusivity and equity as I train scientifically-minded students; as my ultimate goal is to recruit & promote diversity in the STEM workforce. 

I use teaching tools that diversify student participation & collaboration, remove barriers that would be unfair to some students, and affirm growth mindsets. I strive to provide students with clear expectations, structure, and use evidence-based methods shown to improve any student’s learning capacity. I continue to expand my understanding of principles and implementation of: 

• Open Education
• Scientific Teaching
• Universal Design for Learning
• Active Learning
• Inclusive Learning
• Case Based Learning
• Social & Emotional Learning
• Trauma Informed Pedagogy

Accommodations are happily provided for anyone so long as they are communicated to the instructor (requests through SDR are just the bare minimum). I encourage you to request your access needs which may be beyond what you qualify official approvals for.

I am not perfect, no human is. I strive to constantly grow and improve. I welcome conversations that bring new perspectives that fuel my personal and professional growth.