Sandi Connelly Headshot

Sandi Connelly

Principal Lecturer

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science
sjcsbi@rit.edu
585-475-5602
Office Location
GOS-1266
Office Mailing Address
85 Lomb Memorial Drive, 1266 Gosnell Hall, Rochester, NY 14623

Sandi Connelly

Principal Lecturer

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science

Education

BS, Juniata College; MS, University at Buffalo; Ph.D., Miami University of Ohio

Bio

Dr. Sandra J. Connelly joined RIT in 2007. Every term, Dr. Connelly teaches foundational biology lectures (traditional General Biology and online Explorations in Biology) engaging hundreds of students with diverse interests from all colleges at RIT, freshmen through seniors. Further, Dr. Connelly teaches Evolutionary Biology and Interdisciplinary Biology and Chemistry to upper-level Life Sciences majors annually. Dr. Connelly is active in the promotion and design of online learning for RIT students, engaging students in interdisciplinary research initiatives, networking with local K12 and Community Colleges to enhance STEM learning at all levels, and in streamlining assessment strategies for large enrollment courses. Dr. Connelly stays active in the research community through invited talks, serving as a panel expert for NASA and the NSF, and freelance writing of inclusive course materials for non-science majors. Dr. Connelly states, 'The inquisitive nature of RIT students drives an infinite loop. Faculty want to work harder because the students want to advance their educational endeavors every year, making the faculty want to improve. We have truly unique students with unlimited potential — making the sky the starting point, not the limit, for RIT faculty.' To learn more, visit the Connelly Lab.

sjcsbi@rit.edu
585-475-5602
Personal Links
Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn
YouTube
Areas of Expertise
Ecotoxicology
UV-induced DNA Damage
Freshwater Ecosystems
Genomic Evolution
Interdisciplinary Research
Science Outreach
Inclusive Education
General Education Assessment

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Taylor, Derek J., Sandra J. Connelly, and A.A. Kotov. "The Intercontinental Phylogeography of Neustonic Daphniids." Scientific Reports 10. 1 (2020): 1-12. Web.
Moore, Elizabeth, et al. "Cascading Ecological Impacts of Fullerenes in Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmental Toxicology 38. 8 (2019): 1714-1723. Print.
Connelly, Sandra J., Katilin Meier, and Madeline Becker. "Inquiry and Investigations: Salamander antipredator defenses: A field exercise to engage students in ecosystem dynamics." The American Biology Teacher 79. 7 (2017): 564-570. Print.
Lynn, Matthew, et al. "Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Hearing Students in an Introductory Biology Course: College Readiness, Social Learning Styles, and Success." Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities 29. 1 (2017): 173-201. Print.
Connelly, Sandra J., et al. "Effect of Clonal Selection on Daphnia Tolerance to Experimental Conditions." PLOS ONE. (2016): 1-13. Web.
Connelly, Sandra J, et al. "UV-Stressed Daphnia pulex Increase Fitness through Uptake of Vitamin D3." Plos One. (2015): 0-0. Web.
Connelly, Sandra J. "Transpiration & Chemical Vapors." National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science. (2016): 0-0. Web.
Poland, Daniel M, et al. "Variation in Symbiodinium Communities in Juvenile Briareum Asbestinum (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) Over Temporal and Spatial Scales." Marine Ecology Progress Series 476. (2013): 23-37. Print.
Rose, Kevin C, et al. "The Role of Ultraviolet Radiation and Fish in Regulating the Vertical Distribution of Daphnia." Limnology and Oceanography 57. 6 (2012): 1867-1876. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Connelly, Sandra J. and Jeffrey L. Mills. "Real World STEM Experience in a Workshop-based Course Design." Science Teachers Association of New York State, Annual Meeting, 2016. Science Teachers Association of New York State. Rochester, NY. 7 Nov. 2016. Conference Presentation.
Connelly, Sandi and Jeff Mills. "Non-tasters vs. Super-tastersThe Chemistry and Biology of Your Favorite Foods!" Faculty Showcase. Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester, NY. 14 Jan. 2015. Lecture.
Connelly, Sandra J and Jeffrey L Mills. "Non-tasters vs. Super-tasters: The Chemistry and Biology of Your Favorite Foods!" Science Exploration Day. Central Western Section of the Science Teachers Association of NYS. Rochester, NY. 15 May 2015. Lecture.
Connelly, Sandi. "How I Flipped My Class – Or, What I did Last Semester!" Cornell University Flipped Class Workshop. Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. 19 Jun. 2014. Keynote Speech.
Connelly, Sandi. "Course Design on the Quick." New Faculty Orientation. Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester, United States. 14 Aug. 2014. Lecture.
Connelly, Sandi. "How I Flipped My Class – Or, Why I Did What I Did!" EdTech Showcase. National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Rochester, NY. 12 Nov. 2014. Lecture.
Connelly, Sandi. "Identifying Life on Earth (& Elsewhere?)." Introduction to Astronomy Course. Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester, NY. 9 Dec. 2014. Guest Lecture.
National/International Competition Award Winner
Connelly, Sandra J. D2L Corporation. Brightspace Accessibility Award. Washington, D.C., 2016.
Connelly, Sandra J. Online Learning Consortium. Effective Practice Award. Dallas, TX, 2015.
Connelly, Sandra J. Online Learning Consortium. 2015 Sloan-C Effective Practice Award. Orlando, FL, 2015.
Published Article
Tucker, AJ., C.E.Williamson, K.C. Rose, J.T. Oris, S.J. Connelly, M.H. Olson, D.L. Mitchell. “Ultraviolet radiation affects invasibility of lake ecosystems by warm-water fish.” Ecology, 91:3 (2010): 882-890. Print. «

Currently Teaching

BIOG-102
Explorations in Animal and Plant Anatomy and Physiology
3 Credits
This course serves as an introduction to animal and plant anatomy and physiology, in addition to the fundamentals of ecology. Topics will include: animal development; animal body systems; plant development; unique plant systems; Earth’s terrestrial and aquatic environments; population and community ecology; animal behavior; and conservation biology.
BIOL-101
General Biology I
3 Credits
This course serves as an introduction to cellular, molecular, and evolutionary biology. Topics will include: a study of the basic principles of modern cellular biology, including cell structure and function; the chemical basis and functions of life, including enzyme systems and gene expression; and the origin of life and evolutionary patterns of organism development on Earth.
BIOL-102
General Biology II
3 Credits
This course serves as an introduction to animal and plant anatomy and physiology, in addition to the fundamentals of ecology. Topics will include: animal development; animal body systems; plant development; unique plant systems; Earth's terrestrial and aquatic environments; population and community ecology; animal behavior; and conservation biology.
BIOL-104
General Biology II Lab
1 Credits
This course provides laboratory work to complement the material of General Biology II. The experiments are designed to illustrate concepts of animal and plant anatomy and physiology, develop laboratory skills and techniques for experimenting with live organisms, and improve ability to make, record, and interpret observations.
BIOL-265
Evolutionary Biology
3 Credits
This course investigates the historical framework of evolutionary biology and the meaning/nature of evidence pertinent to biological evolution. Topics will include: earth history, the evolution of proteins and the genetic code, molecular evolution, neutral theory vs. selection, genetic variation, natural selection, migration, mutation, genetic drift, fitness, population dynamics and genetics, speciation, systematics and classification systems, molecular phylogenetics, the evolution of eukaryotic organisms, behavioral evolution, historical biogeography, and human evolution and variation.
BIOL-265R
Evolutionary Biology Recitation
1 Credits
Evolutionary Biology lecture is a mandatory co-requisite for this course. This recitation is a writing intensive course focused on the improvement and diversification of scientific writing. The students will be guided through a comprehensive development of an evolution project that culminates in an extensive research paper / proposal. Throughout the semester the students will work in pairs and teams to review writing, conduct peer-evaluations, and receive comprehensive instructor feedback regarding their own writing development.
BIOL-295
Biology Research
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their first three years of study.
BIOL-298
Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
BIOL-301
Undergraduate Teaching Experience
1 - 4 Credits
This course allows students to assist in a class or laboratory for which they have previously earned credit. The student will assist the instructor in the operation of the course. Assistance by the student may include fielding questions, helping in workshops, and assisting in review sessions. In the case of labs, students may also be asked to help with supervising safety practices, waste manifestation, and instrumentation.
BIOL-345
Molecular Ecology
3 Credits
This course explores the biology of populations and communities of organisms using molecular data. As DNA, RNA and proteins are nearly universal between organisms, the principles taught in this course will have wide applications, both within ecology and throughout many sub-disciplines of biology. Furthermore, this course will prepare students to apply the techniques in numerous research fields. The primary literature and worldwide applications of the field of molecular ecology will be incorporated into the course.
BIOL-495
Advanced Biology Research
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
BIOL-498
Advanced Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their final two years of study.
BIOL-798
Grad Biology Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed, graduate level tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum.

In the News

  • April 22, 2024

    The SHED is shown in the background as students mill about the outside area and walk past it.

    The SHED marks its Imagine RIT debut April 27

    The SHED, touted as the new heartbeat of campus, makes its Imagine RIT debut this year. This multi-use facility embodies RIT's blend of technology, the arts, and design, offering a vibrant hub for creativity, interdisciplinary learning, and innovative performances year-round.

  • April 12, 2022

    artists rendering of a large classroom space with several smaller round tables and chairs.

    Simulated SHED classroom previews new learning space

    Walking into the extra-large classrooms in the Student Hall for Exploration and Development (the SHED) will be a new experience for students and faculty alike when the multi-use complex opens its doors in fall 2023. Faculty can preview the new learning environment during the 2022-2023 academic year by teaching in a large-capacity learning space designed to simulate the new active learning spaces in the SHED.

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