• Title Master Lecturer in Biology; Director, Instructional Labs; Director, Learning Assistant Program; Director, Academic Planning
  • Education PhD, Cornell University
  • Office SCI 301A
  • Phone 617-358-1958
  • Area of Interest Science education, entomology
  • CV

Current Scholarship

I am a Master Lecturer in Biology with over 15 years of experience teaching foundational and advanced courses, including Principles of Biology I & II, Pedagogy Seminar for Graduate Students, and Innovation in STEM Instruction. My teaching is grounded in inclusive, evidence-based practices that promote deep learning, intellectual challenge, and community. As Director of BU’s Learning Assistant Program, I’ve helped scale peer learning across more than 50 courses. I’m passionate about mentoring students, designing equitable learning environments, and advancing instructional innovation in STEM. Above all, I simply love biology and bringing my enthusiasm into the classroom!

Selected Publications

  • Spilios KE, CM Kieswetter, and J Stering eds (2026). Principles of Biology II. Hayden-McNeil. Plymouth, MI.
  • Spilios KE and CM Kieswetter, eds (2025). Principles of Biology I. Hayden-McNeil. Plymouth, MI.
  • Hill CJ, AP Barrasso and KE Spilios (2024). The Influence of Learning Assistants on Faculty Use of Student-Centered Instruction. Journal of College Science Teaching, 53(2): 154.161. https://doi.org/10.1080/0047231X.2024.2316375
  • Hill CJ, AP Barrasso and KE Spilios (2023). A mixed methods analysis of perspectives towards LA-faculty relationships. Journal of College Science Teaching. Journal of College Science Teaching, 52(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/0047231X.2023.12290703
  • Thompson M, Barrasso AP, Tutwiler MS, Garik P, and KE Spilios (2022). Context Matters: Influence of undergraduates’ approaches, experiences, and expectations on the LA model in large enrollment science courses. Educational Innovations and Emerging Technologies, 2(1), https://doi.org/10.35745/eiet2022v02.01.0003.
  • Barrasso AP and KE Spilios (2021). A Scoping Review of Literature Assessing the Impact of the Learning Assistant Model, International Journal of STEM Education, 8(12), https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00267-8.

Courses Taught:

  • BI107: Principles of Biology I
  • BI108: Principles of Biology II
  • BB522: Techniques in Cell and Molecular Techniques (Co-Taught with Prof Tom Gilmore)
  • BI697: A Bridge to Knowledge, Seminar in Pedagogy for New Teaching Fellows in Biology

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