| 304 | Maria Correia Davis | <p>​Assistant Professor<br></p> | | | mcorreia@udel.edu | 203 Wolf Hall | | Department of Biological Sciences Wolf Hall University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 | | <p>​I have over seven years of experience teaching introductory and intermediate biology, including core concepts in molecular & cellular biology and microbiology, at two Canadian universities. I am deeply committed to creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment for my students using evidence-based pedagogical practices to foster student engagement. I have reviewed and developed lab curricula based on the defined course learning outcomes rooted in BioSkills (program-level learning outcomes) for Undergraduate Biology. An example of a lab curriculum I designed and implemented is an at-home laboratory in Plant Physiology (200 level, University of Regina). This lab was designed to enhance student engagement through hands-on experiential learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8441">https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8441</a>).</p><p><strong>Courses previous taught:</strong><br>Fundamentals of Microbiology (UNB); Advanced Microbiology Laboratory (UNB); Clinical Microbiology (UNB)<br>Plant physiology Laboratory (URegina); Introductory Genetics (URegina); Genetics Laboratory (URegina); Independent Research in Biology (URegina); Microbial Genetics and Genomics I (URegina)</p><p><strong>Current courses:</strong><br>BISC207 Introduction to Biology I<br>BISC300 Introduction to Microbiology<br></p> | <p>​​​I earned my doctoral degree from the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton, NB, Canada) studying a transcription control module that regulates gene expression in <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> following exposure to antibiotics and fluctuations in environmental pH. As Laboratory Instructor at the Department of Biology at the University of Regina (Regina, SK, Canada) from 2018 – 2022, I continued to work on stress responses in microorganisms and insect microbiomes with primarily undergraduate students. I am also interested in Biology education research and developing equitable and inclusive student learning experiences such as course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) courses. ​<br></p> | | | <p></p><p>​
Publications</p><ol><li>​​Schnell, L.J., Simpson, G.L., Suchan, D.M., Quere, W., Weger, H.G. and
Davis, M.C. 2021. An at-home lab in plant biology designed to engage students in the process of science. Ecology and Evolution, 11: 17572-17580.
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8441">https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8441</a></li><li>Davis, M.C., Libertucci, J., Acebo Guerrero, Y., Dietz, H., Noel, T.C., Rubin, J.E., and Sukdeo, N., 2020. Finding the silver lining during a global pandemic: opportunities for curriculum innovation in microbiology education. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 66: 600 – 602
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2020-0374">https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2020-0374</a></li><li>Noel T.C., Rubin J.E., Acebo Guerrero Y.,
Davis M.C., Dietz H., Libertucci J., Sukdeo N., 2020. Keeping the microbiology lab alive: essential microbiology lab skill development in the wake of COVID-19. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 66: 603 – 604
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2020-0373">https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2020-0373</a></li><li>Davis, M.C., Kesthely, C.A., Franklin E.A., and MacLellan, S.R., 2017. The Essential Activities of the Bacterial Sigma Factor. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 63: 89-99
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2016-0576">https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2016-0576</a></li><li>Davis, M.C., Smith, L.K. and MacLellan, S.R., 2016. The atypical two-subunit σ factor from Bacillus subtilis is regulated by an integral membrane protein and acid stress. Microbiology, 162: 398-407
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000223">https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000223</a></li><li>Xue, X.,
Davis, M.C., Steeves, T., Bishop, A., Breen, J., MacEacheron, A., Kesthely, C.A., Hsu, F. and MacLellan, S.R., 2016. Characterization of a protein-protein interaction within the SigO-RsoA two-subunit σ factor: the σ70 region 2.3-like segment of RsoA mediates interaction with SigO. Microbiology. 162: 1857–1869
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000358">https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000358</a></li><li>Davis, M.C., Kesthely, C.A., Smith, L.K., Breen, J. and MacLellan, S.R., 2015. Functional reconstitution of an unusual Firmicutes σ factor into a Gram-negative heterologous host. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 61: 818-826
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2015-0408">https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2015-0408</a></li><li>Davis, M.C., Fiehn, O. and Durnford, D.G., 2013. Metabolic acclimation to excess light intensity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Plant, cell & environment, 36:1391-1405
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12071">https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12071</a></li></ol><p>Speaking Engagements and Conference Presentations</p><p></p><ol><li>​Schnell, L,J., Sies, A.N., Davis, M.C. (2022) Discussions on equity, diversity, and inclusivity in introductory genetics. CSM Forum for Microbiology Education. Proceedings of the 71st Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Guelph. Ontario. Oral Presentation</li><li>Schnell, L,J., Khan, F., Hart, M., Davis, M.C. (2022) Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to validate prevalence of
Leidynema appendiculata in
Blaberus discoidalis hindgut.
Proceedings of the 71st Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Guelph. Ontario. Poster Presentation</li><li>Bledsoe, E. K.,
Davis, M.C., Grinyer, G. (2021) Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEM classrooms. Faculty of Science, University of Regina. November 2021. Workshop</li><li>Bledsoe, E. K. &
Davis, M.C. (2021) Inclusion, Equity and Diversity in Higher Education. Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Regina. August 2021. Workshop</li><li>DaSilva, T.,
Davis, M.C., Rawle, F., Smith, K. (2021) Meaningful Inclusion in Science Courses: What does it mean for a course to be inclusive? Open Consortium of Undergraduate Biology Educators (oCUBE) (Un)Conference. May 2021. Workshop</li><li>Davis, M.C. (2021) Regulation of gene expression by an atypical two-subunit σ factor - anti-σ factor system in B. subtilis: The SigO-RsoA-RsiO story. Undergraduate Research Academy Seminar Series. Trinity Western University. March 2021. Invited Seminar</li><li>Davis, M.C. (2020) Sparking student interest in primary research through proposal writing. CSM Innovative Classroom Activities to Engage Students in an Online Setting Workshop Series by Canadian Society of Microbiologists Committee for Microbiology Undergraduate Education. August 2020. Workshop</li><li>Davis, M.C. (2019) Regulation of gene expression in bacteria and the investigation of a key regulator that responds to changes in environmental pH. Department of Biology Seminar series, University of Regina. October 2019. Invited Seminar</li><li>Davis, M.C., Dietz H.S. (2019) Effective Strategies for Teaching Assistants in Microbiology Education; CSM Forum for Microbiology Education.
Proceedings of the 69th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Sherbrooke, Quebec. Workshop​​</li></ol><p></p><p></p><p></p> | <h2>​Biography <br></h2><p>Laboratory Instructor, Department of Biology, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; 2018 - 2022<br>PhD. (Biology) University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada; 2018<br>Sessional Instructor, Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB Canada; 2011 - 2014<br>BSc. (Biology-Chemistry Honours by Thesis) University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB Canada; 2008​<br></p> | | <img alt="Maria Davis" src="/Images%20Bios/davis-maria.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | |
