PhD: Stony Brook University, Ecology and Evolution, 2010

BS: Cornell University, Biology, 2004

The Science Forward Open Educational Resource (OER) is a video series and set of tools suitable for a variety of student audiences. The interdisciplinary series of science videos feature scientists talking about the skills they use when they do their work. Each video has suggested readings and activities. This OER can be modified to suit a variety of student audiences and we have sample syllabi available for honors and community college settings. 

Participatory science (aka citizen science) is a great way to engage students and the public and foster an understanding of how science works. As part of the Science Forward program at MHC, I co-direct a 24-hour species diversity survey (a BioBlitz) for our sophomores where both STEM and non-STEM students participate in the scientific process.

I also direct the NYC arm of the City Nature Challenge. This event is a 4-day, city-wide BioBlitz that is open to everyone! For general information, visit: http://www.citynaturechallenge.org For details about City Nature Challenge in NYC, visit: https://macaulay.cuny.edu/news-events/city-nature-challenge/

• botany
• evolutionary ecology
• urban ecology
• scientific literacy pedagogy
• participatory science (aka citizen science)

O’Donnell KL & LA Brundage. 2023. It turned into a BioBlitz: urban data collection for building scientific literacy and environmental connection.  In: Rivera Maulucci MS, Pfirman S, Callahan HS (eds) Transforming Education for Sustainability. Environmental Discourses in Science Education, vol 7. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13536-1_11

Hitchcock C, J Sullivan, K O’Donnell. 2021. Cultivating Bioliteracy, Biodiscovery, Data Literacy, and Ecological Monitoring in Undergraduate Courses with iNaturalist. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. 6(1):26, pp. 1–13. DOI: 10.5334/cstp.439

Emery NC, E Crispo, SR Supp, KJ Farrell, AJ Kerkhoff, EK Bledsoe, KL O’Donnell, AC McCall, ME Aiello-Lammens. 2021. Data Science in Undergraduate Life Science Education: A Need for Instructor Skills Training. BioScience, 71(12):1274-1287. DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab107

Joyner JL & KL O’Donnell. 2021. Developing Data Literacy Skills and Connecting the Student Experience in the Classroom to the Community Through Biodiversity Projects. CourseSource. [link]

O’Donnell KL, LA Brundage, & J Ugoretz (executive producers). Science Forward Video Series and Open Education Resource. 2015. URL: http://cuny.is/scienceforward    

O’Donnell KL & M Pigliucci. 2010. Selection dynamics in native and introduced Persicaria species. International Journal of Plant Sciences. 171(5):519-528. URL: https://doi.org/10.1086/652012