Undergraduate Learning Assistants in Biology: Peer Educator Certification
The Biology Department has a formal path for undergraduates to become certified peer educators in our department. Students can help teach their peers in a variety of courses, as long as the professor of the course is interested in using peer educators. This is service-learning experiential education, so students enroll in:
- Half a credit of teaching experience with other undergraduates (Biology 150: Teaching Intern in Biology)
- Half a credit in an education course that teaches them about the science of learning (Education 350: Core Foundations in Teaching and Learning).
Together, both courses give students a chance to practice working with students, have coaching and evidence around the strategies they are using, and have opportunities to reflect on their own learning and service. We call our peer educators Undergraduate Learning Assistants (ULAs).
Can a student serve as an undergraduate learning assistant (ULA) for more than one semester?
Yes! Many students choose to intern for several semesters. Students only enroll in Education 350 once, but they can repeatedly enroll in Biology 150. If paid TA positions becomes available, we ask our faculty to first see if there is a certified peer educator that meets the needed qualifications around content knowledge.
Can students be paid for as an undergraduate learning assistant (ULA)?
Students cannot get credit and be paid at the same time. If paid TA positions become available in our department, we ask our faculty to preference certified peer educators with the needed qualifications around content knowledge. Several of our undergraduate learning assistants have taken on paid positions.
Can I get certified as a peer instructor if I am not a biology major?
Yes, we have opportunities across many areas of biology and welcome students with an interest in teaching and biological sciences.
How do I get started if I am interested in teaching in a biology course?
You are encouraged to reach out to the professor of a specific course to see if they have opportunities for undergraduate learning assistants. Microbiology (212L) and Introductory Molecular Biology (201L) routinely welcome undergraduate learning assistants who have been successful in the course a previous semester. Other courses have used them and are open to this as well.
Biology Department ULAs
Fall 2025
Akhilesh Chegu (Biology 201L)
Alexis Mosu (Biology 212L)
Athena Yeung (Biology 268)
Barbara Marinescu (Biology 201L)
Chiara Federico (Biology 201L)
David Su (Biology 201L)
Eman N Chattha (Biology 201L)
Emilie Dorrestein (Biology 212L)
Emma Podol (Biology 201L)
Hailey Schwartzberg (Biology 201L)
Jackie No (Biology 201L)
Larkin Woodard (Biology 212L)
Lolo Goddard (Biology 268)
Mallika Kenkare (Biology 212L)
Mao Kobayashi (Biology 201L)
Riley Reeves (Biology 212L)
Rohil Watwe (Biology 201L)
Sara Torres (Biology 201L)
Sare Koruk (Biology 201L)
Selena Xiao (Biology 201L)
Shelby Carter (Biology 268)
Sophia E Zhang (Biology 212L)
Spring 2025
Alice Haystead (Biology 212L)
Ana Lizier (Biology 201L)
Ashi Jain (Biology 201L)
Ashleigh Waterman (Biology 201L)
Billy Cao (Biology 320)
Caspar Dicke (Biology 201L)
Daniel Xie (Biology 201L)
Eman Chattha (Biology 201L)
Ethan Gurwitch (Biology 212L)
Isabel Fargo (Biology 201L)
Jean Chung (Biology 201L)
Jordan Reaves (Biology 212L)
Lisa Lukasz (Biology 212L)
Lydia Cox (Biology 201L)
Makayla Gorski (Biology 212L)
Rohil Watwe (Biology 201L)
Shriya Mandavilli (Biology 212L)
Stella Turner (Biology 201L)
Fall 2024
Eman Chattha (Biology 201L)
Jean Chung (Biology 201L)
Hansel Heres (Biology 201L)
Raphael Lee (Biology 201L)
Justine Prophete (Biology 201L)