ACADEMIC FACULTY INFORMATION FORM

For the period September 1, 2020 thru August 31, 2021

Name Sarah KG Sirsat Title Assistant Professor Department Biology
I. Teaching Effectiveness

A. Courses taught
BIOL 403-Human Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL 404-Human Anatomy & Physiology II

B. Procedures used to evaluate teaching

I utilized student evaluations available through Moodle for all classes. I also utilized occasional
exam questions to get feedback on class content.

C. Other observations regarding teaching

Conducting the course as a hybrid with both synchronous lectures "zoomed" for some students
while simultaneously holding a face-to-face lecture was incredibly challenging: I never felt truly
prepared for each class, knowing that a technological issue might disrupt the class at any time
(this happened throughout the semester). Many of the students who opted to attend virtually
D. Academic Advising (including procedures used to evaluate advising)
stopped coming about 2/3 through the semester. The laboratory curriculum was also seriously
Icompromised
advised between by being
13-16exclusively
students, the virtual as would
majority be expected
of which are biology for amajors
heavilyinterested
exercise in
andcareers
dissection-based course like anatomy. These issues, along with rampant
in the health professional field. I meet with each student the week before they were scheduled cheating on virtual
exams,
to sign upledfor
metheto upcoming
offer the spring semester
semester’s laboratory
classes and wesections
discuss (BIOL 404) as
their future exclusively
plans and which
in-person. However, the "break days" scattered across three weeks
courses are required to meet fulfill their degree requirements. Advising was done virtually during the spring 2021with
II. semester
individual
Mastery seriously
meetings
of Subject compromised
during
Matter the laboratory
the semesters.
and Scholarly Ability Studentscomponent
have theofoption
BIOL of 404. The lab
leaving is taught
feedback via the
exclusively
advising on Tuesday,
portal utilized byWednesday
the campusand Thursday,appointments.
for arranging and as these were the days classes were
canceled,
A. theand
Research course curriculum had
other scholarly/artistic to be(Indicate
activities extensively reduced
juried/refereed in order for each section to
activities).
Include grants proposed/awarded, articles and books
remain on the same schedule. Overall, students did not performsubmitted/accepted, presentations
as wellatas in previous
professional meetings, performances, shows or productions directed.)
semesters and I will make every effort in the future to avoid virtual or hybrid arrangement for
N/A
these particular courses in the future.

B. Awards and Honors

N/A

C. Professional meetings attended

N/A
III. University Service

A. Administrative/committee assignments

Health Professional Advisory Committee: 2018-continuing

Connecting Clearly in the Major Liaison to the PPCC: 2020-continuing
Biology Curriculum Revision Committee: 2020-continuing
B. College-related public service (Include continuing education teaching by course, number enrolled,
place, credit hours, consultancies, presentations at meetings)
I served as an external faculty member on the PhD committee for Darren Sipes, a graduate
student from the laboratory of Dr. Shantanu Sur, Clarkson University, Biology Department.
Darren successfully defended his thesis on August 12, 2021.
C. Community service (membership, time volunteered)
Biology Club Sponsor: 2016-continuing
Northern New York Poultry Fanciers Secretary: 2019-continuing

IV. Continuing Professional Growth

A. Professional memberships (Indicate leadership roles and term of office)

N/A

B. Professional meetings attended

N/A

C. Courses, seminars, workshops or degrees completed

N/A

D. Describe future goals and plans

I look forward to continuing my research in physiological effects of plumage variation with a
potential collaboration with Clarkson University professors. I also hope to publish mine and my
recently graduated student’s results in a peer-reviewed article. I am currently developing a
course to fulfill the Potsdam Pathways “Communicating in the Major” requirement which will
V. Other Information (Include other activities not covered but which you wish to note)
instruct students on both oral and written forms of communication in the biological sciences. I
Ihave
frequently representmy
also continued thecollaboration
Department with of Biology at events
my former such as Open
PhD advisor, Dr. EdHouse and Major
Dzialowski, in our
Affair and hope to resume this role when the campus returns to normal.
continued preparation and publication of research conducted during my tenure as a graduate
student in his research laboratory.

3-2-2022
Signature Faculty Member Date