Dr. Arijana Barun

In my research, I aim to change the instructional culture in STEM at MSU Denver to reflect value of inclusion and to embrace the expectation that all students are capable of succeeding. An important component of this change is the use of learner-centered, evidence-based instructional practices such as active learning in classrooms.

Through this study, I and my collaborators, Dr. Cynthia Erickson (from the Psychological Sciences department) and Dr. Shalini Srinivasan (from the Chemistry department) are attempting to explore the use of and measure the effectiveness of transformational teaching practices, including active learning, in STEM courses. Furthermore, we are using the lens of intersectionality to frame the marginalization experienced by minoritized groups (in STEM classes) at the intersection of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and other identities.

Academic Background

I earned my Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, following a B.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

I bring extensive leadership and field research experience, particularly in challenging island environments. I have led international field teams and conducted research across the U.S., the Caribbean, the Adriatic islands of Croatia, and New Zealand, studying a range of taxa including birds, lizards, snakes, and other wildlife.

For my graduate studies, I joined Dan Simberloff’s lab at the University of Tennessee. My dissertation focused on the impact, control, and evolutionary consequences of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), an introduced predator. I conducted fieldwork across multiple Croatian islands—some with mongooses and some without—surveying native birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and introduced rats. This research required a wide array of field methods, as well as intensive coordination and logistics. I also collaborated with local hunters across nine islands to collect specimens, a process that demanded cultural sensitivity, negotiation, and persistence, particularly because many of these individuals had never worked with scientists before. As part of this project, I employed GIS to analyze spatial data and conducted radio-tracking of target species.

After earning my Ph.D., I worked as adjunct faculty and volunteered at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Austin Field Office, where I contributed to habitat management and recovery plans, five-year reviews, and stakeholder meetings concerning endangered species conservation and land management strategies.

I later completed a one-year fellowship in New Zealand, where I developed and tested novel approaches for controlling invasive mammals such as rats, mice, stoats, ferrets, and feral cats. My work involved both lab and field testing of self-resetting traps, new toxins, baits, and lures. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and Māori communities, I helped develop control strategies that were not only scientifically effective but also culturally informed and broadly acceptable to local stakeholders.

Although I was initially encouraged to pursue a research-focused academic career with minimal teaching responsibilities, my experience in the classroom led me to a different path. I discovered that my true passion lies in teaching.

With a strong commitment to inclusive, student-centered education, I aim to make science engaging, accessible, and relevant – especially for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. I continually adapt my teaching and research practices to reflect new ideas, emerging technologies, and the evolving needs of students at MSU Denver and the world around us.

Hobbies

Dr. Barun is happiest outdoors, no matter the season—whether she’s hiking through the woods, relaxing on the beach, or digging into her vegetable garden. In the winter, she loves staying active with cross-country skiing and enjoying the fresh, snowy air. Travel is a big part of her life too, especially trips to Croatia to visit family and soak in the beauty and traditions of her roots. But what she loves most is spending time with her kids in New York and Atlanta—sharing meals, catching up, and making memories together.