Jennifer Avena

Contact Information

Education

• Ph.D., Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder
• B.A., Genetics and Psychology, Ohio Wesleyan University

Professional/Academic Experience

• Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Science Education Program, San José State University
• Instructor, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and School of Education, University of Colorado Boulder
• Postdoctoral Scholar, Biology Education, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder

Research/Areas of Interest

Publications/Creative Works

Schmid, K.M., Avena, J., Hobbie, L., Kaas, P., Kelly, T., Klocko, A.L., Pavlova, I.V., Radick, G., Edris Snow, L., & Smith, M.K. (2023). Honoring the complexity of genetics: Exploring the role of genes and the environment using real world examples.  CourseSource. https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/coursesource/publications?id=3603&tab_active=about&v=1. 

Avena, J.S., McIntosh, B.B., Whitney, O.N., Wiens, A., & Knight, J.K. (2021). Successful problem solving in genetics varies based on question content. CBE-Life Sciences Education. 20, 1-18. doi: 10.1187/cbe.21-01-0016. 

Lindsay, W., Avena, J., & McIntosh, B. (2021, April). Supporting emergency remote teaching: Learning assistants at the boundary. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association 2021 Annual Meeting. Virtual. 

Peffer, M., Quigley, D., Brusman, L., Avena, J.S., & Knight, J.K. (2020). Trace data from student solutions to genetics problems reveals variance in the processes related to different course outcomes. 2020 Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference. 

Avena, J., Sabella, M., Barker, A., Hendrickson, S., Langdon, L., Van Duzor, A., & Otero, V. (2020). Leveraging the experience and expertise of learning assistants in remote learning spaces. APS Forum on Education Newsletter. 

Avena, J.S. & Knight, J.K. (2019). Problem solving in genetics: Content hints can help. CBE-Life Sciences Education 18, 1-13. doi: 10.1187/cbe.18-06-0093.