Jason’s FAQs:

This page serves as a tl;dr resource for things about me. If it’s not covered here, that doesn’t mean it’s a secret, just that it’s not a FAQ.

Do you advise graduate students? Do you chair dissertation committees?

1. Yes! If you're interested in the UCR Master's or 4+1 BS/MS program in Microbiology or Plant Pathology, I'm happy to talk through project ideas and admissions requirements. I'm always interested in potential MS and 4+1 candidates.

2. Reach out if you are interested in me serving as a co-chair/co-advisor for your PhD.

Can you serve on dissertation and or qualifying exam committees?

Yes! I serve on Advisory, Qualifying Exam, and Dissertation committees for PhDs, so reach out to see if I’m a good fit. I’m part of the Microbiology and Plant Pathology graduate programs and can serve as an outside member for other programs.

Can you supervise my Undergraduate Honors thesis or Independent Study?

Yes! I’m happy to talk with you about your projects and research interests.

Where did you attend school?

I went to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) for my undergrad and Master’s (BS in Biotechnology; minor in Chemistry; MS in the Biological Sciences). I went here (UC Riverside, yo!) for my PhD in Microbiology, and I did a postdoc at UC Irvine. SoCal through and through.

What do you study here?

I study two major things here at UCR: 1. Wastewater-based epidemiology and microbial ecology. 2. Science pedagogy, motivation, mentorship, and STEM education; Check my research pages for more information.

What do you teach?

I teach microbiology courses at UCR. At Cal Poly, I taught everything from Introductory Biology, to Human Sexuality, to Microbial Physiology.

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What’s a “Teaching Professor/Professor of Teaching?”

“Teaching professors” are tenure-track academic senate faculty, who focus on teaching and pedagogy. I usually teach microbiology-focused courses and conduct microbiology and educational research.