COSAM News Articles 2019 November COSAM Senior Plans to Pass Science Knowledge on Through Teaching

COSAM Senior Plans to Pass Science Knowledge on Through Teaching

Published: 11/12/2019

By: Carla Nelson

Auburn University senior Todd Lamb hopes to pass his love of science onto future generations.

Originally from Bay Minette, Ala., Todd will soon earn his undergraduate degree in organismal biology with a concentration in conservation, biodiversity and evolution through the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM).

Todd’s plan is to teach high school science and eventually teach at the college level.

“I wish to convey knowledge and not just retain it,” Kevin explained of his career choice. “I think it would be something that I would enjoy doing as a lifelong career path.”

Todd is currently conducting research in Dr. Cissy Ballen’s lab, studying the role of higher education in creating just and equitable communities, and is applying to attend graduate school with hopes of continuing to work in her lab while gaining experience teaching as a teaching assistant.

“I have figured out that I also really like the research side,” Todd said. “I’ve had a lot of fun working in the lab.”

Todd also works in the Department of Biological Sciences as the main assistant to the undergraduate advisor and is a member of the Auburn University Society for Conservation Biology, an organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss and restoration of biological diversity.

Todd said he is interested in conservation biology because he feels it is a dramatically underrepresented focus of biology in the education system today.

“Conservation biology should be mentioned more often at the secondary level of education and college students should be made aware of what conservation biology is and the importance of certain organisms and their effects on our planet and our existence,” he said. “I hope that my knowledge of biological conservation and its importance can set me apart from other scientific educators one day in my career and aids me in educating others about this topic whenever the opportunity arises.”

Todd said his time as a COSAM student has been extremely challenging, yet fulfilling. His advice to incoming freshmen would be to stick with the early level basic COSAM classes.

“Once you get to that junior and senior level and start to dial in on your field of study, you really learn so much,” he shared. “It was work struggling through those larger classes. The classes I have taken through COSAM have been the most knowledgably rewarding.”

 

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