Director of Biological Sciences Senior Academic Professional I grew up in Uxbridge, MA before attending Bucknell University for my undergraduate education. I earned a B.A. in Animal Behavior with a minor in American Literature, and in 1994 moved to Athens, GA to attend graduate school at The University of Georgia (UGA) . By 2001 I earned a M.S. in Biopsychology and a M.S. in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development. My broad background in biological and social sciences, as well as the humanities, opened up a variety of professional opportunities for me. I began teaching undergraduate courses in biology, ecology, and psychology at local two- and four-year undergraduate institutions. In 2002 I took my first full-time position with UGA as Coordinator of Educational Programming. A few years later I joined the International Agriculture department at UGA as a Communications Coordinator and Technical Writer/Editor for The United States Department of International Development, Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program. In 2004 I joined the Division of Biological Sciences as Laboratory Coordinator for introductory biology laboratory courses. I remained in this position until summer of 2016, earning a Ph.D. in Science Education along the way, when I transitioned to my current position as Director of the Division. Research/Scholarly Interests/Expertise - teaching professional development for undergraduate and graduate students who have instructional roles in higher education - the use of writing in the sciences as a mode of teaching and learning - the development, implementation, and evaluation of college science curriculum that teaches science as an inquiry process (often vetted in teaching laboratory settings) - course-embedded research experiences - online biology lecture and laboratory development Education Education: 2010 Doctor of Philosophy, Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education, University of Georgia, GA, United States 2001 Master of Science, Psychology, General, University of Georgia, GA, United States 2000 Master of Science, Conservation Biology, University of Georgia, GA, United States 1995 Bachelor of Arts, Animal Behavior and Ethology, Bucknell University, PA, United States Research Research Interests: I engage in biology education research focused on teaching professional development for science graduate student instructors. My current research collaborations through an NSF Sponsored Project "A Delphi Study to Develop a Department Self-Assessment Tool for Graduate Student Teaching Professional Development" work to identify consensus aspects of biology department/unit cultures associated with support for Graduate Student Teaching Professional Development (GS TPD). Grants: Selected Grants/Contracts (Awarded) A Delphi Study to Develop a Department Self-Assessment Tool for Graduate Student Teaching Professional Development. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, 2301002, 01 Jun 2023–30 Sep 2026. Amount: $ 18,035 (US), Role: Principal investigator of Transforming STEM Education at a Research 1 university through Multi-Level Action Teams. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, 1821023, October 1, 2018–2024. Amount: $ 2,998,335 (US), Role: Senior/key personnel of Biology Teaching Assistant Project 2.0 (BioTAP 2.0): Advancing Research, Synthesizing Evidence. National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Coordination Network Grant. Award: $77925.00 (US). Role: Co-investigator of Integrating Peer Review to Reimagine Assessment for Scientific Writing. Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Georgia, 05 Jul 2017–31 Dec 2018. Amount: $ 18,552 (US), Role: Co-investigator of CIRTL (Center for Integration of Research Teaching and Learning), 02 Jan 2017–30 Mar 2018 Amount: $ 2,400 (US), Role: Consultant on. Funded by Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. CIRTL (Center for Integration of Research Teaching and Learning), 14 Aug 2017–21 May 2018 Amount: $ 2,000 (US), Role: Consultant on. Funded by Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. CIRTL (Center for Integration of Research Teaching and Learning), 22 Aug 2016–10 May 2017. Amount: $ 2,000 (US), Role: Consultant on. Funded by Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. MATH + SCIENCE = SUCCESS Small Grants Program: Development of Online Learning Modules in an Introductory Biology Laboratory Course for Non-Science Majors. Office of Stem Education, 01 Jan 2015–31 Jul 2015. Amount: $ 6,570 (US), Role: Primary investigator of Embedding Course-based USG: Complete College GA Innovation Grants: Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) in Gateway Biology Courses. The University System of Georgia, Aug 2015–Jun 2016. Amount: $ 23,889 (US), Role: Primary investigator of Southeastern Conference (SEC) Faculty Travel Grant Program Southeastern Conference (SEC), 17 Aug 2015–31 May 2016 Amount: $ 1,093 (US), Role: Primary investigator of MATH + SCIENCE = SUCCESS Small Grants Program: Midterm Student Evaluations and Instructional Coaching: Investigating How Graduate Student Laboratory Instructors Use Feedback about their teaching. Office of Stem Education, 01 Jan 2014–31 Jul 2014. Amount: $ 4,117 (US), Role: Primary investigator of MATH + SCIENCE = SUCCESS Small Grants Program: Assessing the Use of Caselets to Solve Teaching Dilemmas in Instructional Undergraduate Biology Laboratories that Teach Biology as Inquiry. Office of STEM Education, 01 Jan 2013–31 Jul 2013. Amount: $ 4,942 (US), Role: Primary investigator of MATH + SCIENCE = SUCCESS Small Grants Program: Preparing Graduate Students to Teach Introductory Biology as Inquiry: The Use of Inquiry Caselets to Solve Teaching Dilemmas, Univ. of Georgia. Office of STEM Education, 01 Jan 2012–31 Jul 2012. Amount: $ 9,301 (US), Role: Primary investigator MATH + SCIENCE = SUCCESS Small Grants Program: Improving Instruction and Enhancing Student Success in STEM Disciplines. Office of STEM Education, 01 Jan 2009–31 Jul 2009. Amount: $ 8,500 (US), Role: Secondary investigator of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. MATH + SCIENCE = SUCCESS Small Grants Program: Preparing Graduate Students to Teach Introductory Biology as Inquiry: The Use of Inquiry Caselets to Solve Teaching Dilemmas, Univ. of Georgia. Office of STEM Education, 01 Jan 2012–31 Jul 2012. Amount: $ 9,301 (US), Role: Primary investigator Selected Publications Selected Publications: Nadler, R., Miller, K. R., & Braman, C. (2023). Use-narratives: How research into writing center capabilities to assist science writing can inform learning commons integration. In Writing Centers and Learning Commons: The Politics and Pedagogy of Sharing Common Ground. Edited by Corbett, Steven J.; Decker, Teagan E.; and Soriano, Maria. Miller, K., Ridgway, J. S., Marbach-Ad, G., Schussler, E. E., & Gardner, G. E. (2022). The BioTAP Professional Development Model: Expanding Empirical Research On Graduate Student Teaching Professional Development. CourseSource. doi:10.24918/cs.2021.44 Gardner, G., Ridgway, J., Schussler, E., Miller, K., & Marbach-Ad, G. (2020). Research Coordination Networks to Promote Cross-Institutional Change: A Case Study of Graduate Student Teaching Professional Development. In K. White, A. Beach, N. Finkelstein, C. Henderson, S. Simkins, L. Slakey, . . . L. Whitehead (Eds.), Transforming Institutions: Accelerating Systemic Change in Higher Education. Pressbooks. Harding, L., Nadler, R., Rawlins, P., Day, E., Miller, K., & Martin, K. (2020). Revising a Scientific Writing Curriculum: Wayfinding Successful Collaborations with Interdisciplinary Expertise. College Composition and Communication, 72(2), 333-368. Miller, K., Ridgway, J., Coker, R., Price, K., Stewart, K., Gardner, G., . . . Schussler, E. (2018). BioTAP 2.0 (Biology Teaching Assistant Project): Engaging individuals in scholarly research about biology. In Published Proceedings of the 40th Annual Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) conference. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. Miller, K., Ridgway, J., Lee, S., Marion, A., Pavlova, I., Szeyller, E., . . . Schussler, E. (2017). BioTAP 2.0 (Biology Teaching Assistant Project): Engaging individuals in scholarly research about biology. In 39th Annual Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) conference. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Marbach-Ad, G., Gardner, G., Miller, K. R., Ridgway, J., & Schussler, E. (2017). Biology Teaching Assistant Project (BioTAP 2.0): A Network to Build a Capacity for Collaborative Research on Biology Graduate Teaching Assistant Teaching Professional Development (GTA TPD). Miller, K. R., Gardner, G., Schussler, E., Marbach-Ad, G., & Ridgway, J. (2017). The Biology Teaching Assistant Project 2.0: Advancing research, synthesizing evidence. Reeves, T. D., Marbach-Ad, G., Miller, K. R., Ridgway, J., Gardner, G. E., Schussler, E. E., & Wischusen, E. W. (2016). A Conceptual Framework for Graduate Teaching Assistant. CBE-LIFE SCIENCES EDUCATION, 15(2), 9 pages. doi:10.1187/cbe.15-10-0225 Spell, R., Beck, C., Blumer, L., Guinan, J., Miller, K., Vondrasek, J., & Winnett-Murray, K. (2016). Making it R.E.I.L. - Progress Reports on Developing Research Lab Modules. In 38th Proceedings of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education.. University of Houston. Houstin, TX.. Spell, R., Beck, C., Blumer, L., Guinan, J., Miller, K., Vondrasek, J., & Winnett-Murray, K. (2016). Making it R.E.I.L. - Progress Reports on Developing Research Lab Modules. In 38th Proceedings of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education.. University of Houston. Houstin, TX. Schussler, E. E., Read, Q., Marbach-Ad, G., Miller, K. R., & Ferzli, M. (2015). Preparing Biology graduate teaching assistants for their roles as instructors: An assessment of institutional approaches. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 14(2), 1-11. Miller, K. R., & Evans, M. (2015). MTSI (Mid-Term Student Interview): An intervention process for teaching feedback. In 37th Annual Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) conference. University of Oregon. Eugene, OR: Association of Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE). Miller, K. R., Brickman, M., & Oliver, J. S. (2014). Enhancing TAs’ inquiry teaching by means of an observation protocol. School Science and Mathematics, 114(4), 178-190. Spell, R. M., Guinan, J. A., Miller, K. R., & Beck, C. W. (2014). Redefining Authentic Research Experiences in Introductory Biology Laboratories and Barriers to Their Implementation. CBE-LIFE SCIENCES EDUCATION, 13(1), 102-110. doi:10.1187/cbe.13-08-0169 Miller, K. R. (2014). Development of Biology Graduate Laboratory Assistants’ Conceptualizations of Teaching Science as Inquiry. In Research in Science Education: Research Based Undergraduate Science Teaching (pp. 437-461). Blumer, L., Beck, C., Guinan, J., Miller, K. R., & Spell, R. (2013). Authentic research in undergraduate biology laboratory courses: definitions, implementation, and barriers. Miller, K. R. (2011). Preparing Graduate Students to Teach Introductory Biology as Inquiry: The Use of Inquiry Caselets to Solve Teaching Dilemmas. Miller, K. R. (2011). I Wonder Human Biology Blog. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Miller, K. R., & Gormally, C. (2009). Adopting Writing Intensive Strategies to Teach Biology in Laboratory Environments.. USA: Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE). Retrieved from http://www.ableweb.org/proceedings/index.php Handa, V., Tippins, D. J., Thomson, N. F., Bilbao, P., Morano, L., Hallar, B., & Miller, K. R. (2008). A dialogue of life Integrating service learning in a community immersion model of pre-service science teacher preparation. Journal of College Science Teaching, 37(6), 14-20. Miller, K. R., & Gormally, C. (2008). Strategies for Responding to Student Laboratory Writing Assignments. USA: Association of Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE). Retrieved from http://www.ableweb.org/proceedings/index.php Boone, E., Bruce, E., Manteuffel, M., Miller, K. R., & Ritt, L. (2008). Instructor's Manual for Lab Manual for Majors General Biology 1st Edition. Cengage Learning. Bohrer, K., Ferrier, A., Haag, M., Johnson, D., & Miller, K. R. (2007). Teaching the Teacher: Introducing and Training TAs in Inquiry Based Learning Methods and Identifying effective and innovative solutions to common TA issues.. In Unknown Conference Vol. 29 (pp. 67-126). USA: Association for Biology Laboratory Education. Retrieved from http://www.ableweb.org/proceedings/S Miller, K. R., & Wilson, J. (2004). Creating learner-centered, multidisciplinary lessons from scientific articles: A training manual for teachers.. SANREM CRSP and USAID. Miller, K. R. (2004). Advancing Conservation and Use of Natural Resources. Annual Report.. SANREM CRSP and USAID. Miller, K. R. (1999). Conservation Education Lessons: The Plight of the Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus).. BOS-USA. Awards, Honors and Recognitions Of note: 2025: Recognized for her work in undergraduate scientific research writing with an international writing award for undergraduates in her name: https://franklin.uga.edu/news/stories/2025/award-applications-undergraduate-science-scientific-writing 2018: Council on Basic Writing Innovation (INNY) Award May 2024 Thank A Teacher, anonymous student, UGA Feb 2024 Student Career Success Influencer Award, Scott T. Williams, UGA Career Center Jan 2024 Student Career Success Influencer Award, Scott Williams, UGA Career Center Dec 2023 Nominated for Student Organization Advisor of the Year, Student Engagement Awards, Offices of Engagement, Leadership, and Service, UGA Aug 2023–May 2024 Inaugural Fellows for Transformative Teaching Cohort, Center for Teaching and Learning, UGA Nov 2022 Nominated for Franklin College of Arts and SciencesExcellence in Teaching Award, UGA Dec 2019 UGA Career Center Recognition for Student Career Development May 2019 UGA Career Center Recognition for Student Career Development Dec 2018 UGA Career Center Recognition for Student Career Development Nov 2018 Nominated and finalist for Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award, UGA Jun 2018 Council on Basic Writing Innovation (INNY) Award, Council on Basic Writing Innovation (INNY), Conference on College Composition and Communication Dec 2017 UGA Career Center Recognition for Student Career Development Dec 2017 Southeast Regional PULSE (Partnership for Life Sciences Education) Circle Leadership Team Member Sep 2017 Transition Readiness Coach for UGA Student Veterans, Student Veterans Resource Center, UGA Jun 2017 Graduate Faculty Status, Graduate School, UGA May 2017 UGA Career Center Recognition for Student Career Development Jan 2017–May 2017 Online Learning Fellows II, Office of Online Learning, University of Georgia Dec 2016 UGA Career Center Recognition for Student Career Development Dec 2016 UGA Creative Teaching Award Nov 2016 Innovation Gateway Featured Faculty, UGARF, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 Sep 2016 Richard B Russell Teaching Awards Review Committee, Office for the Vice President for Instruction, UGA Aug 2016 UGA CIRTL (Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning) Leadership Team Jun 2016 UGA PULSE (Partnership for Undergraduate Life Science Education) Team Leader Jun 2016 President, ABLE (Association for Biology Laboratory Education) 2012 STEM Spotlight, STEM Institute, UGA Apr 2009 UGA Writing Fellow, Center for Teaching and Learning, 2008 Madison’s Who’s Who? of Executives and Professionals 2003 Appointment: Athens-Clarke County Government, Athens-Clarke County Government 1998 Solitary Glove Community Service Award, The Institute of Ecology, UGA Courses Taught Courses Regularly Taught: BIOL 4100 BIOL 4910
