Dr. Rose Amrhein

Bio:
Rose Amrhein is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Juniata College. She then went on to complete a master’s degree in Primate Behavior and Ecology at Central Washington University. During this time, she conducted field research on the social behaviors of Tibetan macaques in China. She recently completed her PhD in Biology at the University of Louisville where her work focused on variation in monkey social behaviors in the Caribbean. She has been a teach assistant for numerous biology classes and labs throughout her time in graduate school and has instructed environmental science courses at the University of Louisville and Spalding University. While at the University of Louisville she also assisted in the lesson design and implementation of an Anatomy and Physiology lesson using virtual reality.

Abstract:
A dynamic and engaging learning environment is vital to student learning. When designing courses, it is also imperative to make content accessible for all students. In this seminar, I will discuss some of the ways I incorporate active learning and Universal Design strategies to meet these goals. To further engagement I also make a directed effort to connect course material to real world scenarios that students can relate to. These strategies can be adapted to a variety of formats including online courses or large lectures where some strategies may be otherwise difficult to implement. 

Watch the seminar here!

Dr. Sanaya Stocke

Bio:
Dr. Sanaya Stocke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Louisville. She holds M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Zoology from the University of Pune, India. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from the Department of Biology at the University of Louisville, where she now serves as faculty. She completed her postdoctoral training in the Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology at the same institution.

Dr. Stocke has authored seven first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals, including The Journal of Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, and Metabolomics. Her teaching portfolio spans both introductory and upper-level biology courses, and she is strongly committed to inclusive, active-learning pedagogy. She also supervises undergraduate laboratories and mentors graduate teaching assistants.

Her research bridges gene expression, neurobiology, metabolism, and pedagogy, ranging from molecular investigations of neuropeptide signaling and food preference in model organisms to the development of inclusive, research-based lab experiences for undergraduates. Dr. Stocke is a dedicated mentor and advocate for diversity in STEM and has received departmental recognition for excellence in teaching.

Abstract:
In this talk, I will demonstrate my integrated approach to undergraduate education and research training by highlighting my experience as a classroom instructor and neuroscientist. I will begin with a short teaching demonstration on DNA replication, illustrating how I foster student engagement and conceptual understanding in large introductory biology courses using active learning strategies.

I will then present an overview of my Ph.D. and postdoctoral research, which investigated the effects of glyceollins (soy-derived phytoestrogens) on gene expression in the mouse brain and the role of cortico-cortical interactions in flavor processing in rats, respectively. 

Finally, I will introduce a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) I am developing that explores how dietary factors influence neuropeptide F signaling and food preference in Drosophila melanogaster. This project not only offers students hands-on experience with experimental design, molecular biology, and behavioral assays, but also allows me to pursue parallel pedagogical research on the impact of research-integrated lab courses on student belonging and confidence in STEM.

My goal is to create a research and teaching environment that is inclusive, curiosity-driven, and centered on building foundational skills that will prepare undergraduates for diverse careers in biology.

Watch the seminar here!

Student registration is currently open on Handshake and will close the day of the event. Interested businesses and organizations are encouraged to register, new registrations will not be accepted after March 24^th. 

The PNB Career and Resource Fair is free and open to all majors, though organizations attending were selected for their fit with psychology, neuroscience, and biology majors. 

We have over 50 organizations registered to attend the fair, including:

• Biotechnology companies
• Mental healthcare businesses and facilities
• Community organizations
• Local law enforcement and correctional institutions
• Local and national government organizations
• Graduate and professional programs from UK and the surrounding areas
• On-campus support organizations
• Student organizations

A complete list of organizations attending the fair can be found HERE.

Students will find opportunities to:

• Explore career and employment options
• Find volunteer and internships opportunities
• Explore graduate and professional programs
• Meet with graduate and professional students currently enrolled in various programs at UK
• Connect with student organizations on campus

Also, students can enter to win one of four $1000 scholarships!

To maximize your interactions at the fair, students are encouraged to visit the Stuckert Career Center to workshop their resumes and practice their interview skills. 

Questions? Email: PNBCareerandResourceFair@uky.edu   

^{University of Kentucky offices will be open. Classes do not meet.}