Teaching and Mentoring

I am who I am today based on the incredible teachers that have crossed my path throughout my life. My teachers and professors provided me with guidance, mentorship and friendship, and ultimately influenced me to become a university professor. The most inspiring teacher-mentors I have known challenged me and enriched my perspective and theoretical approach, which left with an insatiable thirst for more knowledge.


As a student, I have found that effective teachers critically identify issues and opportunities in the classroom and equip me and other students with the concepts and skills needed to address them.  In essence, they enliven theoretical concepts by integrating them with active and experiential learning.  Effective teaching and learning is also facilitated by creating a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable discussing ideas and also by employing a diversity of strategies in and out of class that make students active learners and critical thinkers.  

Courses at UCSD

Undergraduate Students

I mentor both USP and ESYS seniors for their senior project, from issues ranging from sustainable agriculture to community gardens (including Roger’s Community Garden) to green infrastructure. Please reach out to me in advance if you are interested in mentorship since I do limit the number of students I can work with each year. 


Examples of senior research projects conducted under my mentorship:


Graduate Students

At UC San Diego

Master’s students: 


In the UNAM Sustainability Science Graduate Program, Mexico

Doctoral Students


Master’s Students