Tess Shideler

Tess Shideler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Colorado Mesa University, located in Wubben Hall and Science Center. She teaches undergraduate courses including General Human Biology Lab (BIOL 101L) and Attributes of Living Systems (BIOL 105/105L), with aspirations to teach advanced Cell and Molecular Biology courses.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder
• BS in Biological Sciences from Florida State University

Shideler is dedicated to creating a student-centered classroom environment using active learning strategies such as problem solving, group discussions, and real-world applications. Her research expertise lies in cellular signaling and intracellular transport mechanisms. She is particularly passionate about democratizing research access for undergraduates through Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), with a focus on the discovery and characterization of novel soil viruses, which provides students with authentic scientific inquiry opportunities.

While no publications are listed in the provided text, her research trajectory suggests strong engagement in undergraduate research integration within cell and molecular biology, particularly in environmental virology and discovery-based learning.

There are no scientific awards mentioned in the available information.

Shideler is actively involved in student mentorship and curriculum development, aiming to bridge classroom learning with hands-on research. She seeks to expand upper-level course offerings and integrate more research-intensive components into the biology curriculum. Although no formal grants are listed, her focus on CUREs implies potential involvement in educational or research funding initiatives to support undergraduate science education.

She is involved in developing laboratory courses that incorporate authentic research on soil microbiology and viral discovery, effectively creating a student research pipeline within course structures. Her work fosters a collaborative, inquiry-driven learning environment that prepares students for scientific careers.