| 157 | Stefanie R. DeVito, Ph.D. | <p>​​Assistant Professor <br></p> | (302) 831-3868 | | sdevito@udel.edu | 402G Harker ISE Lab | | | <ul>
<li><strong>B.S.</strong> - State University of New York at Binghamton
</li><li><strong>M.S.</strong> - University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
</li><li><strong>Ph.D.</strong> - University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
</li><li><strong>Postdoctoral</strong> - University of Kansas </li></ul> | <p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>BISC207 -</strong> Introductory Biology I - Integrated with Chemistry<br><strong>BISC208 -</strong> Introductory Biology II - Integrated with Chemistry<br><strong>SCEN130 -</strong> The Science of Learning for Peer Mentors<br><strong>SCEN330 <strong>-</strong></strong> Practicum in Peer Mentoring<br><strong>BISC106 -</strong> Elementary Physiology<br><strong>BISC367 -</strong> Science Communication and Infectious Disease<br><strong>BISC306 -</strong> General Physiology<br><strong>UNIV100 -</strong> First Year Experience​<br></p> | <p></p><p>My research interests focus on scientific teaching and improving undergraduate biology education. My interests in improving undergraduate experience focus on (1) increasing student support through implementation and pedagogical development of undergraduate peer mentors to support student learning, and (2) strengthening student scientific communication skills in alignment with Vision and Change. Having a biochemistry and general chemistry education background, I am also focused on integrated biology and chemistry for freshman, and designing and measuring the effectiveness of activities and labs that are centered around the interdisciplinarity of biology and chemistry.</p><p>Laboratory Science: My earlier research interests were focused on how viral infection altered the kinetic rates of metabolic pathways of the host cell.<br></p> | <p>
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</p><p><strong>Designing a podcast project to enhance students'
science communication skills</strong></p><p>Traditional summative assessments in freshman introductory labs typically focus on evaluating students' ability to communicate science to other scientists. In alignment with Vision and Change, the integrated introductory biology and chemistry courses also strive to strengthen students' science communication skills. Our podcast science communication project is designed to complement scientific posters in our lab curriculum by introducing students to the significance and skills required to communicate science to the general public. In our podcast project, students are introduced to the fundamentals of science communication through a partnership with the University of Delaware Student Multimedia Design Center. Students then research a topic or problem of interest adjacent to their inquiry-based lab project, and script a podcast segment that presents the current science to a general audience. We are currently exploring how this project influences perceived student ability in science communication, and assessing how student ability in scientific communication improves as a result of this assignment. <br></p><p><strong>Implementation of Peer Mentors in Integrated
Introductory Biology and Chemistry</strong></p><p>Peer mentors are undergraduates who assist students in learning and group work in class. The use of peer mentors increases the capacity for active learning activities in large classes. We are currently working on expanding the use of peer mentors, and training them in pedagogy in order to better serve our students during class. <br></p><p>
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</p><p><strong>Grants</strong>: CTAL Instructional Improvement Grant (2018)</p> | | <p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>DeVito SR.</strong> 2021. Targeting misconceptions in the central dogma by examining viral infection. <em>CourseSource</em>. <a href="https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2021.31">https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2021.31</a></p><p><strong>DeVito, SR</strong>, Ortiz-Riafio E, Martinez-Sobrido L, Munger J. Cytomegalovirus-mediated activation of pyrimidine biosynthesis drives UDP-sugar synthesis to support viral protein glycosylation. PNAS. 2014 Dec 16;111(50):18019-18024.</p><p>Ortiz-Riaiio E, Ngo N, <strong>Devito SR</strong>, Eggink D, Munger J, Shaw ML, de la Torre JC, Martinez Sobrido. 2013. Inhibition of Arenavirus by A3, a pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitor. J. Viral. 2014, Jan; 88(2): 878-8 89.</p><p>Guo S, Olm-Shipman A, Walters A, Urciuoli WR, <strong>Devito SR</strong>, Nadtochiy SM, Wojtovich AP, Brookes PS. 2012. A cell-based phenotypic assay to identify cardioprotective agents. Circ Res. 110(7): 948-957​<br></p> | <p></p><h4>
<strong>List of Poster Presentations, Lectures, Workshops (selected)</strong></h4> ​
​<strong>​</strong><p>Lunden J, Malladi H, <strong>DeVito S</strong>, Genova L. “Instructional Innovations for High-Enrollment Undergraduate Courses from Pandemic Teaching Experiences: Small Teaching for Large Classes." <strong>Invited Workshop Presentation</strong>. University of Delaware CTAL Summer Institute on Teaching. June 2021.</p><p>Academic Success Faculty Video Series. <strong>Featured faculty.</strong> Academic Success Video Series – Online Discussions. University of Delaware. February 2021. Newark, DE.<br></p><p><strong>DeVito SR.</strong> "Designing a Podcast Project to Enhance Scientific Communication Skills." <strong>Invited Talk.</strong> 2020 Biology Leadership Conference. February 2020. Fort Meyers, FL.<br></p><p><strong>DeVito SR</strong>, Sykes J. “Designing a Podcast Project to Enhance Scientific Communication Skills." <strong>Poster Presentation.</strong> 2020 Biology Leadership Conference. February 2020. Fort Meyers, FL</p><p><strong>DeVito SR.</strong> Diversifying your expertise and empowering your own career choices. <strong>Invited Talk.</strong> Graduate Women in Science Seminar Series. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. October 2019. Rochester, NY. </p><p><strong>DeVito SR</strong>, Jacqueline L. Hilsenbeck-Fajardo, Alyssa Hull, Deborah Lichti. Development of an Integrated First-Year Undergraduate Biology and Chemistry Program. <strong>Poster Presentation.</strong> Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research Annual Conference. July 2019. Minneapolis, MN.</p><p>Trimby C, <strong>DeVito SR</strong>, Daly T, Voras Z. Development of an Interdisciplinary Lab Module for Introductory Biology and Chemistry. <strong>Poster Presentation.</strong> University of Delaware Summer Institute on Teaching. June 2019. Newark, DE.</p><p>Trimby C, Terrell A, Hull A, Audette D, <strong>DeVito S.</strong> Coaching Student Reflective Practice with Learning Journals. <strong>Poster Presentation.</strong> CIRCLE Conference. October 2018. St. Louis, MO. ​<br></p><p></p> | | <img alt="Stefanie DeVito" src="/content-sub-site/PublishingImages/people/sdevito/DeVito_Stefanie-2017-14.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | |
