Until 2017, I was on the faculty & served on the leadership of 3 distinctive degree programs at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) listed below. During my time there, I led several efforts modernizing training experiences while constantly advocating for inclusion and equity. I co-founded the BS in Biological Sciences at CMU-Qatar; created and taught several science and professional skills courses and workshops during my tenure at CMU. During my term I was responsible for directly advising over 150 students at the BS and MS level for academics and career planning. I developed the career guidance program for all graduate students where I advised all PhD students 1:1 for diverse career paths. As an administrative lead, I directly supervised a set of our departmental staff. I successfully led many non-educational aspects of the department including the department's website overhaul project, leading our annual newsletters from ideation to production, and bringing inclusive practices in many aspects of the department culture such as the commencement ceremony.
Programs I led at Carnegie Mellon-
2011-13: Faculty Lecturer
2013-17: Assistant Teaching Professor
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Ph.D. Program in Biological Sciences, CMU
PhD Advisory and Operations Committee 2014-2017
Graduate Ombudsperson 2014-2017
Department Lead, Graduate Teaching Duties for all Bio courses 2013-2017
Lead, Graduate Alumni Relationship and Engagement 2013-2017
Faculty Advisor, Sciences Teaching Club, 2013-2017
M.S. Program in Computational Biology (MSCB), CMU
MSCB is a joint program between the Mellon College of Science and the School of Computer Science
Assistant Director, MSCB program 2013-2017
Primary Advisor for all enrolled students (~50 students) 2013-2017
B.S. in Biological Sciences Program, CMU-Qatar
Pittsburgh Faculty Liaison (Assistant Director), CMU-Q program 2011-2017
Academic Advisor, CMU-Q Bio majors 2011-2013
Programs I led at Carnegie Mellon-
- BS in Biological Sciences at CMU-Qatar:Director of Special Programs and Primary Pittsburgh Liaison
- MS in Computational Biology : Assistant Director and Primary Advisor for all students ; Asst Dept Head
- PhD in Biological Sciences: Assistant Department Head for Graduate Affairs
2011-13: Faculty Lecturer
2013-17: Assistant Teaching Professor
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Ph.D. Program in Biological Sciences, CMU
PhD Advisory and Operations Committee 2014-2017
- Led the team in mapping new models for core courses in first year biology PhD training
- Benchmarked from peer institutes the best practices for inclusive biology PhD curriculum
- Advised first year students on course selection, extramural funding, and related issues
- Founded and Instructed a course on Scientific Presentations
- Founded and led the annual 1:1 career advising sessions with students (~55 students/year)
- Worked 1:1 and in small groups guiding students for successful rotation completion
- Networked directly with companies, recruiters, and alumni, including by hosting them for visits
- Partnered with campus career services to organize seminars tailored to Bio PhD students
- Served on many committees for improving workflow and advancing the PhD program
- Applied for extramural funding
Graduate Ombudsperson 2014-2017
- Resolved diverse problems in graduate student life and academics
Department Lead, Graduate Teaching Duties for all Bio courses 2013-2017
- Systematically analyzed course requirements and matched TAs/graders with courses
- Created new channels for active participation of students in classroom teaching roles
- Advised students in mechanisms to strengthen their teaching portfolios
Lead, Graduate Alumni Relationship and Engagement 2013-2017
- Implemented a new departmental system for managing the alumni database
- Created a formal Alumni Seminar Series in 2015, offered twice a year
- Introduced a section to feature alumni in annual newsletter and website releases
Faculty Advisor, Sciences Teaching Club, 2013-2017
- Provided guidance as needed and helped implement specific ideas on development and outreach
M.S. Program in Computational Biology (MSCB), CMU
MSCB is a joint program between the Mellon College of Science and the School of Computer Science
Assistant Director, MSCB program 2013-2017
- Led or co-led all aspects of this program between 2 colleges at CMU
- Analyzed program data and initiated higher-level program improvements
- Redesigned the curriculum for Fall 2015 (with second revision in Fall 2016)
- Oversaw the launch of a new program website
- Served on multiple committees for program workflow and advancement
Primary Advisor for all enrolled students (~50 students) 2013-2017
- Advised students and built relationships 1:1
- guided course selection and path to degree completion
- guided active career planning and professional skills building
- helped identify summer internship opportunities for students and placed them
- enabled personalized study plans for students who needed additional support
- Worked with central campus services and advocated for student needs
- Streamlined individual advising meetings with each student for course choices
B.S. in Biological Sciences Program, CMU-Qatar
Pittsburgh Faculty Liaison (Assistant Director), CMU-Q program 2011-2017
- Set up all aspects of the program starting from launching to sustained growth
- Oversaw and led hiring efforts of faculty members to start the program (5 hires)
- Developed a detailed 4-year plan for the program curriculum
- Traveled to Doha, Qatar in Fall 2011 and Fall 2012 to assess and implement program requirements
- Worked closely with Deans, Department Heads, and the Vice Provost at CMU and Weill Cornell to ensure program success
- Assisted in lab redesign and construction on site in Qatar
- Obtained funding approval from the Qatar Foundation to expand lab space
- Founded the annual Summer Undergraduate Symposium bringing together cross-campus faculty for a whole week in Pittsburgh with many pedagogical activities
- Established uniform assessment criteria and material exchange in courses across both campuses
- Created protocols for summer semester in Pittsburgh, including course scheduling and enrichment
- Created a “Video Exchange Series” to enable video meetings between Pittsburgh seminar speakers and students in Qatar
- Oversaw compliance, pricing, purchasing, and shipping of lab supplies and major equipment for all initial teaching lab setup of >800,000 USD
- Presented several seminars to students for career planning and professional success
Academic Advisor, CMU-Q Bio majors 2011-2013
- 1:1 advising for degree completion and placement of students for their next steps