Collaborative Research: Evaluating the impact of an open-data-based lessons and course-based research (NSF IUSE)
We are interested in the impact of using open data and research tools in a classroom setting on student understanding, confidence, and attitudes, specifically in the context of learning the biological process of mitosis. The principal products from this project are a) three variant lessons used to test learning outcomes, which will also be released as open education resources (OERs) at the end of the study, and b) a validated concept inventory (CI) on mitosis, a tool used to capture student understanding of core concepts on a topic. The principal research outcome is to investigate the impact of these variant lessons (no open data, exposure, experiment) on student knowledge of mitosis (measured with the CI), confidence in their own knowledge, interest in continuing study, and other attitudinal outcomes.
Collaborative Research: Evaluating the Impact of the Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) Network on Vision & Change (NSF IUSE)
Our NSF-funded team is conducting research to learn about the motivations, implementation, and dissemination of Vision & Change principles by interviewing PALM participants.
Learn more: https://palmvc.wordpress.ncsu.edu/
Open Education Association. Steering Committee member. Open education is built on the simple but transformative idea that knowledge is a public good and that sharing it freely strengthens our collective ability to learn, create, and solve problems. The Open Education Association works to reduce barriers throughout our education systems in order to expand access to knowledge and foster opportunity, participation, and growth for all.
Learn more by visiting: opened.org
Delftia Research and LSFY/Microbiology Experiences. Delftia-themed seminar for first-year students that leads into a 300-level Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience. NC State Department of Biological Sciences and NC State University Libraries. 2025-present. go.ncsu.edu/delftiabook
PORES: Promoting Open Research Experiences with (long-read) Sequencing. Revisiting portable long-read sequences in field-based experiences with Dr. Diana Lafferty and Dr. Erin McKenney.
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High-throughput Sequencing and Research Experiences for Diverse Undergraduates. BIT SURE NSF REU award, Co-PI with Dr. Sabrina Robertson and Dr. Robert M. Kelly. 2018-2021. go.ncsu.edu/bitsure
PORES: Promoting Open Research Experiences with (long-read) Sequencing. NIH IPERT. PI Dr. Robert Kelly, Co-PI Goller (NC State). 2023. go.ncsu.edu/nanopore
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SCoOP: Sustainable Composting and Outreach Program. NC State Sustainability Fund. PI with Dr. Mahmoud Sharara, Adam Bensley, Jessica Bast, and Matt Ball (NC State). 2022-2023. This project was funded twice more by the NC State Sustainability Office and an NC State GGA Seed Grant with Co-PIs Goller, Olgha Qaqish, and Sharara (2024-2025). Students continue working with Goller on projects funded by the NC State Office of Undergraduate Research and Dr. Angela Allen’s lab.
Learn more by visiting: go.ncsu.edu/ncsuscoop
Mentored Open Research Experience. Code for Science and Society. Co-PI with Dr. Claire Gordy, Dr. Melissa Ramirez, and Micah Vandegrift (NC State). 2021-2022. go.ncsu.edu/more-reu
High-throughput Discovery Science and Educational Case Studies. HITS NSF RCN award 1730317, Co-PI with Dr. Sabrina Robertson at UNC). 2018 – 2022. go.ncsu.edu/hits
Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory Education Modules (MBLEMs). NIH IPERT 1R25GM130528-01A1, Kelly RM PI, Goller CC CoPI). 2020-2025. go.ncsu.edu/mblem (QUBES group) and biotech.ncsu.edu/ipert (public)
Delftia Research and Public Science. Numerous talented undergraduate students and lots of support from the NC State Biotechnology Program, Office of Undergraduate Research, Public Science, and NC State University Libraries. 2013-present. go.ncsu.edu/delftia
Metagenomics Educational Resources. Student-produced resources including podcasts, notes, video tutorials and our blog for the BIT 477/577 Metagenomics course. In 2020 I included audio announcements in the blog for our weekly MetaMix! 2019-2024 go.ncsu.edu/bitmetagenomics
Case Studies about Sustainability and Yeast Metabolic Engineering. Our spring 2021 Yeast Metabolic Engineering students will create new cases on yeast and try the LearnGala platform. Stay tuned for creative case studies that focus on local, regional, and global applications of yeast metabolic engineering for sustainable production of a variety of substances! go.ncsu.edu/yme
High-throughput Discovery Science Resources. Student-produced projects as part of the BIT 479/579 High-throughput Discovery course. Students create lessons with graphical abstracts, learning objectives, information, discussion questions, and recordings for high-throughput topics. The WordPress site also includes our course blog and audio announcements. 2019-2024. go.ncsu.edu/htd
Case Studies and Educational Resources about Sustainability and Biotechnology. As we design and prepare to launch a new 200-level course on Biotechnology and Sustainability, we are partnering with LearnGala and other RCNs to create new interactive cases with high throughput datasets and biotechnology and sustainability themes. The spring 2021 group of motivated and ambitious Delftia undergraduate researchers have some cool ideas! Check out The Alchemy Blog at go.ncsu.edu/delftia to follow their progress as they blog about their research, interviews, annotations, and findings! 2021-2024. go.ncsu.edu/bits