I teach research methods and I research teaching methods. My experience has taught me that ‘the extraordinary’ happens through the process of teaching students the art of doing ecological research. 

In the beginning, I found it hard to recruit students early enough to invest in the long-term nature of research. 

​I also found that snails did not quite seem necessarily as sexy to students as something medically-related like cancer.  It takes my enthusiasm for the crazy critters or the “word” from one of the already ecologically-converted to convince some students otherwise.  Students make up my lab community and I consider them real contributors to the research.  The practice of guiding students through the complete scientific process (i.e. where outcome results in poster, talk or paper) serves as the best evidence of my teaching effectiveness. I've been very fortunate to have incredible students.