Shark Beginner R1: Research & Discuss Sharks Around the World (Ages 9-12)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Dr. Lopez has been teaching science-related courses on Outschool since March 2020. Some of the general topics she has taught include Microbiology, Marine Biology, Ornithology, Botany, Herpetology, environmental science with research and presentation components.

She previously taught undergraduate non-science and science major courses in Ecology, Tropical Biology, and Life Sciences at University of California, Irvine. Furthermore, she lead undergraduate field and lab courses in Ornithology, Ecology, and Biodiversity at Rice University. 

EDUCATION
Dr. Lopez earned a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rice University in Houston, TX and earned a B.S. in Biology from University California, Los Angeles.
Research Experience

Dr. Lopez has conducted research in various ecosystems including mudflats and salt marshes (marine ecosystems), freshwater wetlands, and coastal and riparian terrestrial habitats. Her research has focused on species interactions (herbivore- plant, and plant-plant, predator- prey) and how climate change, water pollution, Nitrogen deposition, and invasive species affect these interactions at the species and community level. 

GOALS
Dr. Lopez enjoys motivating and inspiring learners via her teaching to increase interest in science fields. In her courses, Dr. Lopez focuses on transferable skills that learners can use and apply to different areas and career paths. Furthermore, she provides the information necessary so that learners are equipped to make decisions as informed citizens of society in the future about the future of science and current environmental issues.  

COURSE POLICIES
1.	The courses follow the ‘Limited’ refund model. Parents may withdraw up to a week before class starts with a full refund. Within this timeframe, parents may request a transfer to a new section no less than 72 hours before class is scheduled to start.
2.	If your learner has not joined the meeting 10 minutes after the scheduled class start time, the meeting will be cancelled. This is considered a missed meeting and you are not entitled to a refund.
3.	If your learner misses 3 consecutive class meetings without previous communication with Dr. Lopez, you forfeit the class fee (no refunds), and any remaining sessions of the class will be cancelled. 
4.	In the event that a learner misses a class, recordings are privately made available in each classroom upon request if at least one learner is in attendance for that session. However, a recording is not available for sessions in which there is only one learner enrolled. 
5.	Learners must be respectful at all times of Dr. Lopez and ALL other learners in the class with no exception.
6.	Make-up sessions will be provided if there is a problem and Dr. Lopez cannot attend class due to an unforeseen emergency.