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.

Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. That’s a metaphor I take seriously—not just as a long-distance runner, but as an educator learning to pace myself in a career that demands constant reinvention. In this seminar, I’ll explore how both teaching and learning unfold as long-term processes—ones that require reflection, repetition, and resilience.

Given the diversity of student experiences, identities, and academic backgrounds, how can we cultivate classrooms that are both welcoming and rigorous? My teaching philosophy is built on five core principles: setting high expectations with structured support, fostering a culture of belonging, ensuring accessibility through flexibility, investing in the teaching team, and committing to continual informed improvement.