Department of Biology

Iglika Pavlova

Research:

I am interested in how people understand the world around them and what are the standards of evidence in natural science and other fields of knowledge – and how to incorporate information gleaned from psychology and epistemology to engage college students toward a deeper understanding of biology and to help students create overarching frameworks for critical thinking that they can use in both their daily and professional lives. My research in biology education focuses on scientific reasoning and integrates knowledge from the fields of cognitive science, philosophy of science, and education to explore:

1. Student conceptions in areas required for learning biology (e.g., chemistry, genetics, evolution, and probability), and in scientific thinking and reasoning more generally.
2. The effectiveness of active learning strategies that aim to counter misconceptions and create explicit frameworks of understanding that would allow for knowledge transfer beyond the classroom.

Publications:

Pavlova, I.V., and Kreher, S.A. 2013. Missing links in genes to traits: toward teaching for an integrated framework of genetics. American Biology Teacher 75 (9): 641 Chosen as Feature Article for the genetics-themed issue of American Biology Teacher.
Pavlova, I.V., and Lewis, K.L. 2013. An easy and fun way to teach about how science “works”: popularizing Haack’s crossword puzzle analogy. American Biology Teacher 75 (6): 397

Presentations:

Pavlova, I.V., and Lewis, K.L. 2015. What does random really mean? Active learning exercises to create a shared framework for causal thinking across fields. Workshop presented at the Atlantic Coast Teaching of Psychology Conference (ACToP), Red Bank, NJ.
Pavlova, I.V., and Kreher, S.A. 2015. Thinking critically about confounding factors: An active learning strategy that can improve students’ ability to apply knowledge about controls to realistic scenarios. Poster presented at the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) meeting, Twin Cities, MN.
Pavlova, I.V. 2015. What Ebola teaches us about international and interdisciplinary collaboration. Presentation at the Global Understanding Convention, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ.
Pavlova, I.V., and Lewis, K.L. 2015. Math for the doctor’s office: Understanding medical tests. Invited presentation, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, NJ.
Pavlova, I.V. 2014. Bayes’ equation: From preventing panic in a doctor’s office to helping you think about scientific issues in your everyday life. Invited presentation, STEM Speaker Series, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ.
Pavlova, I.V., and Lewis, K.L. 2014. Explaining explanations: A model with rigorous yet flexible criteria for your classroom. Presentation, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ.
Pavlova, I.V. 2014. Scientific teaching and assessment in college biology. Invited guest lecturer, for the graduate biology course, Teaching in the Molecular Biosciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Pavlova, I.V. 2014. What does random really mean? Active learning exercises to create a framework for causal thinking. Invited workshop leader, Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Pavlova, I.V. 2013. Complementary tools for use in teaching about the standards for rigorous scientific models. Poster presented at the Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER) Mid-Atlantic Conference, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ.
Pavlova, I.V. 2010. In-class activities to stimulate thinking and challenge misconceptions about evolution and evolution of infectious disease. Presentation at the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMcue), San Diego, CA.
Pavlova, I.V. 2010. Improving understanding of science by teaching explicit principles of good reasoning in an evolution-themed course. Paper presented as poster at the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMcue), San Diego, CA.
Pavlova, I.V., and Lewis, K.L. 2006. Beyond piecemeal learning: a reasoning framework for everyone. Poster presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Classes:

Principles of Biology I (BIO 111)
Principles of Biology I Lab (BIO 111L)
Principles of Biology II (BIO 112)
Principles of Biology II Lab (BIO 112L)