Dr. Christine Broussard

Areas of research interest

I have two main foci, teaching and learning in the sciences and developmental immunotoxicology. The ultimate goal of my research in teaching and learning is to develop a highly effective, dynamic teaching approach that has the highest probability of student learning, that encourages all students to participate in science, and that is translatable to other types of educational institutions. The short-term goals of this project are 1) to provide empirical evidence for anecdotal observations that inquiry-based, student-led labs (DYOE) improve student learning, performance, retention, and participation in the sciences for underrepresented majors; 2) to develop and provide training to other instructors at undergraduate institutions in the DYOE approach; and, 3) to provide empirical evidence that indicates whether the DYOE approach works for nonmajors. My second research focus is developmental immunotoxicology. This field studies the impact of environmental toxicants on the embryological development of the immune system. We (undergraduate researchers and I) focus on the class of molecules termed endocrine-disruptors (EDCs). Research in teaching and learning in the sciences enables me to improve curriculum on a local and national level, inspires me to continue innovating and reforming biology education, and provides a means to learn from the students themselves how people learn in the sciences.

Dr. Broussard’s scholarly work can be found at Google Scholar.