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Sara Brownell
Associate Professor
Faculty
TEMPE Campus
Mailcode
4501
Biography
Sara Brownell is a neuroscientist turned full-time education researcher, who teaches undergraduate biology while studying biology education. As a science faculty member with education specialty, she uses both qualitative and quantitative data to better understand how undergraduate biology students learn and how instructors can develop more effective ways to teach.
Professor Brownell's interests in undergraduate biology education are broad, but her current work focuses on three main avenues. She investigates the impact of undergraduate research experiences on students, specifically students enrolled in course-based research experiences. She develops a programmatic assessment for biology majors that focuses on the core concepts of biology. She also explores issues related to access and equity in undergraduate biology, specifically the experiences of women, religious students, and LGBTQIA students.
Education
- Ph.D. Biology, Stanford University 2011
- M.A. Education, Stanford University Graduate School of Education
- M.S. Biology, The Scripps Research Institute
- B.S. Biological Sciences, Cornell University
Research Interests
Undergraduate biology education
Research Group
Publications
- Shortlidge, E. E., Bangera, G., & Brownell, S. E. (2016). Faculty Perspectives on Developing and Teaching Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences. BioScience, 66(1), 54-62.
- Brownell, S. E., & Kloser, M. J. (2015). Toward a conceptual framework for measuring the effectiveness of course-based undergraduate research experiences in undergraduate biology. Studies in Higher Education, 40(3), 525-544.
- Brownell, S. E., Hekmat-Scafe, D. S., Singla, V., Seawell, P. C., Imam, J. F. C., Eddy, S. L., ... & Cyert, M. S. (2015). A high-enrollment course-based undergraduate research experience improves student conceptions of scientific thinking and ability to interpret data. CBE-Life Sciences Education,14(2), ar21.
- Brownell, S. E., Freeman, S., Wenderoth, M. P., & Crowe, A. J. (2014). BioCore Guide: A Tool for Interpreting the Core Concepts of Vision and Change for Biology Majors. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 13(2), 200-211.
- Eddy, S. L., Brownell, S. E., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Gender gaps in achievement and participation in multiple introductory biology classrooms.CBE-Life Sciences Education, 13(3), 478-492.
- Bangera G. and Brownell S.E. (2014). Course-based undergraduate research experiences can make scientific research more inclusive. CBE Life Sciences Education.
- Brownell, S. E., & Tanner, K. D. (2012). Barriers to faculty pedagogical change: lack of training, time, incentives, and… tensions with professional identity?.CBE-Life Sciences Education, 11(4), 339-346.
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Research Activity
- Chi,Michelene T.H.*, Brownell,Sara, Stump,Glenda Simonton. Learning from Dialog versus Monolog Videos. NSF-EHR-DUE(4/1/2016 - 3/31/2018).
- Brownell,Sara*. Navigating from Vision to Change with Bio-MAPS. UNIV OF WASHINGTON(1/1/2014 - 8/31/2016).
Courses
| Spring 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| ASB 294 | Special Topics |
| BIO 294 | Special Topics |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| PHY 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| BCH 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| Fall 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 194 | Special Topics |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| PHY 494 | Special Topics |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| BCH 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| CHM 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 591 | Seminar |
| Spring 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| PHY 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| BCH 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| Fall 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 194 | Special Topics |
| BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| PHY 494 | Special Topics |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| CHM 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| BCH 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| Spring 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 591 | Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| Fall 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 189 | Life Sciences Career Paths |
| BIO 194 | Special Topics |
| BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 591 | Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| Spring 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 591 | Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| Fall 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 189 | Life Sciences Career Paths |
| BIO 194 | Special Topics |
| BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 494 | Special Topics |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 591 | Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| Spring 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 591 | Seminar |
| BIO 598 | Special Topics |
| Fall 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| BIO 189 | Life Sciences Career Paths |
| BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 591 | Seminar |
Honors/Awards
- Arizona State University Centennial Teaching Award, University-wide Teaching Award, 2015
- Fellow for Arizona State Universitys Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics, 2015
- Awarded Most Influential Faculty by a Student-Athlete, Sai Tummala, 2015
- Finalist for Maryellen Weimer Scholarly Work on Teaching and Learning Award, 2014
- Stanford Biology Student Services Award, Departmental Service Award, 2012
- Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation Outstanding Young Investigator Award, 2011
- Walter J. Gores Teaching Award, Stanford Universitys Highest Teaching Award, 2010
- Stanford School of Medicine Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant, 2009
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Stanford Department of Biology, 2008
- Stanford Graduate Fellowship (SGF) in Science and Engineering, 2008-2011
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, 2005-2008