Hello everyone, I am Rain (she/her) from Guangzhou, China! I came to Vancouver in 2016 for undergraduate study here at UBC where I majored in Biology.
Now I am a 5th year PhD candidate in the Sugioka Lab, conducting studies using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans as the model system. My research interest is focusing on the molecular mechanisms regulating cytokinesis, the last step of cell division. More specifically, I am interested in how left-right handedness, or chirality, can be established through cytokinesis during animal development.
During my graduate study, I have TAed BIOL112 (Biology of the Cell), BIOL362 (Cellular Dynamics), and BIOL200 (Fundamentals in Cell Biology). These are courses that I have taken as an undergrad, so I am very excited to be able to experience the curriculum from both perspectives.
What do you most enjoy about being a TA?
The aspect I enjoyed the most is interacting with students! When I was a student, I was quite shy in asking questions, so as a TA I try my best to create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages questions and conversations. When communicating with students, whether it is going through a concept together or providing constructive feedback, I often find myself learning something new as well. I really enjoy this process of exchanging ideas and improving together.
What has being a TA brought to your graduate studies experience?
Being a TA has taught me how to balance my life between the lab and everything else. As a graduate student, sometimes it can feel like your entire life revolves around the lab and it can be depressing from time to time. Being a TA gives me an opportunity to think and act in a different mindset that is refreshing. This transition between roles of researcher and TA not only improve my time management skills, but also make me appreciate each role even more.
What opportunities relating to teaching and learning have you been a part of?
I participated in the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) offered by the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) this past summer and I really enjoyed it. Since starting my TAship, I’ve always wanted to improve my skills in teaching and ISW provided an excellent platform for me to learn and implement theories such as active learning through practicing presentations and receiving feedback. In the future, I’d like to gain more skills in teaching and learning by participating in programs like the Certificate Program in Advanced Teaching and Learning (CATL).
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that inclusion is one of the most important aspects of successful teaching. Inclusion facilitates engagement by creating a space where everyone feels safe and can be treated equally. By engaging in the course material, learners are more likely to participate in active learning, which I think is essential for a productive learning experience. Practicing inclusion can mean being respectful of the diversity of the classroom, not making assumptions, setting common agreements, and tailoring scaffolds that support a vast range of learners.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I love to explore restaurants and cafes around Vancouver! I keep a food journal to record all the restaurants I’ve been to with pictures and personal comments. Other than record keeping, it is also a good reference when my friends are looking for recommendations to dine in. Besides eating out I also love to cook and bake. Currently I am obsessed with different food prepping techniques (tip: freezer is your best friend for food prepping)!