Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our world, and biology educators are navigating how (and whether) to integrate these tools into their courses. This seminar offers a clear and accessible overview of what AI is, how large language models work, and why understanding their strengths and limitations is essential for effective teaching when using AI tools.

Biologicals for crop protection and plant and soil health are going mainstream after decades of being niche products. All categories of biological crop inputs - bioprotection, biostimulants and bionutrients - are growing at double digits annually, outpacing their synthetic chemical counterparts. As a serial bioag entrepreneur starting my first company more than 30 years ago, I had many challenges to being ahead of the market, bringing a higher level of science to biopesticide development, and changing the paradigm of how biologicals are used by farmers.

Mountains harbor exceptional biodiversity and high levels of endemism, making them global biodiversity hotspots. Yet, montane biotas are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their narrow ecological niches and restricted dispersal opportunities. In this seminar, I will present recent and ongoing projects exploring the origins and diversification of mammals on the Tibetan Plateau, highlighting how major geoclimatic events shaped species radiations and community turnover.

For many years, my love of teaching biology was tempered by the discomfort of administering high-stakes exams. I strove to go beyond multiple-choice trivia contests by assessing students’ application of their knowledge to novel problems; however, to ensure that these problems were novel, I kept them well-hidden until the exams. This secrecy led to much student anxiety and frustration, as well as my own concerns that my assessment methods might be inequitable. Here I will discuss how a backward design process led to the creation of the Test Question Template (TQT) framework.

This seminar will explore the ingredients behind a healthy classroom environment. By creating a supportive atmosphere, promoting a growth mindset, and integrating metacognitive practices, all students are given the opportunity to succeed. When students feel empowered and supported, they are more likely to engage with the material and gain resilience when faced with academic challenges. Metacognition, or learning how to learn, is central to this approach, as it equips students with skills that extend beyond the classroom.