RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am a science education specialist with research interests focused on:

• evaluating the effectiveness of evidence-based learning strategies, assessment techniques and metacognitive activities on student success
• examining the impact of undergraduate research and course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) on student access, knowledge, skills and attitudes (see SIRIUS Project Video)
• creating and evaluating faculty professional development curricula to promote interdisciplinary and multi-institutional communities of practice with shared goals of STEM education reform efforts
• examining the impacts of the COVID-19 disruption on teaching and learning online

SELECT GRANTS/AWARDS

2020 Recipient of California State University Faculty Innovation and Leadership Award

NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (I-USE) Institutional and Community Transformation Award, Sustainable Interdisciplinary Research to Inspire Undergraduate Success II (SIRIUSII), 2020-2025.

NSF Robert Noyce Grant, SacLink MAST: Sacramento Math Linked Learning for Math and Science Teachers, 2020-2025.

2017-2018 Outstanding University Service Award, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, Sacramento

W. M. Keck Foundation Grant, Sustainable Interdisciplinary Research to Inspire Undergraduate Success (SIRIUS): Phase II, 2017-2018.

NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (I-USE) Award, Sustainable Interdisciplinary Research to Inspire Undergraduate Success (SIRIUS), 2014-2019.

W. M. Keck Foundation Grant, Sustainable Interdisciplinary Research to Inspire Undergraduate Success (SIRIUS), 2015-2016

NSF Robert Noyce Grant, Noyce Sac-MAST: Sacramento Math and Science Teaching Program, 2011-2016.

NSF Robert Noyce Grant, TEMSII: Teaching Excellence in Math and Science Scholars II, 2011-2016.

CSU Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) Programmatic Grant, Sustainable Science: Redesign of the Introduction to Cells, Molecules and Genes Laboratory, 2014-2015.

2013-2014 Outstanding Community Service Award, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, Sacramento

PUBLICATIONS

Reviewed Manuscripts

Pennino, E., Ishikawa, C., Ghosh Hajra, S., Singh, N., & McDonald, K. (2022) Student anxiety and engagement with online instruction across two semesters of COVID-19 disruption.  Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 23 (1)

Segura-Totten, B. Dewsbury, S. M. Lo, E. G. Bailey, L. Beaster-Jones, R. J. Bills, S. E. Brownell et al. (including McDonald, K.). 2021. Chronicling the Journey of the Society for the Advancement in Biology Education Research (SABER) in its Effort to Become Antiracist: From Acknowledgement to Action. Frontiers in Education, 6, doi: 10.3389/feduc.2021.780401

Martin, A. R., Rechs, A., J., Landerholm, T. E. & K. K. McDonald. (2021) Effects of Course-based Research on Students' Self-efficacy and Future Goals in an Introductory Biology Laboratory Series. Journal of College Science Teaching. v50 n4 p33-47.

Pilgrim, M. E., McDonald, K. K., Offerdahl, E. G., Shadle, S. E., Ryker, K., Stone-Johnstone, A., & Walter, E. M. (2020). An exploratory study of what different theories can tell us about change. In C. Henderson & M. Stains (Section Eds). Transforming institutions: Accelerating systemic change in higher education. Accelerating Systemic Change in STEM Higher Education Network. Pressbooks.

Diaz-Martinez, G. Fisher, D. Esparza, J. Bhatt, C. D'Arcy, J. Apodaca, S. Brownell, L. Corwin, W. Davis, K. Floyd, P. Killion, J. Madden, P. Martseller, T. Mayfield-Meyer, K. Mcdonald, M. Rosenberg, M.Yarborough, and J.Olimpo. 2019. “Recommendations for Effective Integration of Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research (E/RCR) Education into Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences: A Meeting Report." CBE-Life Sciences Education. CBE-LIfe Sciences Education. 18 (2) 18:mr2 1-10.

K.K. McDonald, A.R. Martin, C.P. Watters, T.E. Landerholm. 2019. “A Faculty Development Model for Transforming a Department’s Laboratory Curriculum with Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences.” Journal of College Science Teaching 48(3), 14-23.

N.V. Dang, E.J. Chiang, H.M. Brown, and K.K. McDonald. Curricular activities that promote metacognitive skills impact lower-performing students in an introductory biology course. 2018. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, v19(1).

G. Andaya, V. Hrabak, S. Parks, R. E. Diaz, K K. McDonald. Examining the Effectiveness of a Post-Exam Review Activity to Promote Self-Regulation in Introductory Biology Students. 2017. Journal of College Science Teaching. 46(4), 84-92.

K. K. McDonald and S. R. Gnagy. Lights, Camera, Acting Transport! Using Role-play to Teach Membrane Transport. CourseSource. 2015. http://www.coursesource.org/courses/lights-camera-acting-transport-using-role-play-to-teach-membrane-transport.

K. K. McDonald and J. Gomes. Evaluating Student Preparedness and Conceptual Change in Introductory Biology Students Studying Gene Expression. 2013. Journal of Transformative Leadership and Policy Studies. 3 (1), 22-35.

Book Chapters and Government Reports

K. K. McDonald, T. S. Gross, N. D. Denslow, V. S. Blazer, B. S. Arnold. Reproductive Indicators (2001) In: The 1995 Mississippi River Basin Report. Schmitt, C. J. and Dethloff, G. Eds.

T. S. Gross, B. S. Arnold, M. S. Sepúlveda, K. K. McDonald. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Endocrine Active Agents (2001). In: Handbook of Ecotoxicology.

K. K. McDonald, T. S. Gross, N. D. Denslow, V. Blazer. Reproductive Indicators (1999) In: Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Selected Methods for Monitoring Chemical Contaminants and their Effects in Aquatic Ecosystems. Schmitt, C. J. and Dethloff, G. Eds.

Trade Journals

Landerholm, T.E. and McDonald, K.K.; Environmental undergraduate research: Creating a generation of citizen scientists one local problem at a time; Open Access Government, October 2018; Research and Innovation p. 206-7; ISSN 2516-3817.

K.K. McDonald and T.E. Landerholm. Making Researchers of STEM Undergraduates. Scientia, STEM Education, May 22, 2018. [http://www.scientia.global/dr-kelly-mcdonald-dr-thomas-landerholm-making-researchers-of-stem-undergraduates/]

Caifu Chen, Kelly K. McDonald, Ada H. Wong, Olga V. Petrauskene, Manohar R. Furtado. Real-Time PCR for RNAi and MicroRNA Applications. 2005. Genomics and Proteomics. Vol.5, no.2

Caifu Chen, Kelly McDonald, Ada H. Wong, Olga V. Petrauskene and Manohar R. Furtado. Real-time PCR: Advancing RNA Interference and MicroRNA Studies. May 2005. Pharmaceutical Discovery

SELECT PRESENTATIONS

Pennino, E., Singh, N., Ghosh Hajra, S., Gnagy, S., Ishikawa, C. and K. K. McDonald. “Exploring COVID-19 Emergency Response Teaching and STEM Students’ Anxiety and Engagement.” Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research, Western Division Conference, Jan, 2021.

Rowe, B., Fletcher, H. L., Gnagy, S.R. and K.K. McDonald. “Examining Student Perceptions of Research Authenticity in Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences,” Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research Western Division Conference, Jan 2021.

Fletcher, H. L., Singh, N. K., Bitwoded, S. O. and K. K. McDonald. "Career Goals and Faculty-mnetored Research Influence Student Perceptions of a Series of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs)," Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research Western Division Conference, Jan 2021.

Martin, A.R, Fletcher, H.L., Landerholm, T.E. and K.K. McDonald. “Longitudinal Assessment of Student Self-efficacy, Future Goals and Science Identity in a Series of CUREs Designed to be Progressive in Science Skills Development.” Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research Annual Conference, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, July 26-28, 2019.

Martin, A.R., Bitwoded, S.O., Fletcher, H.L., Singh, N.K., Landerholm, T.L. and K.K. McDonald. “Interviews Reveal Perceptions of Students Participating in a Series of Conceptually-linked Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences.” Gordon Research Conference on Undergraduate Biology Education Research, Lewiston, ME, June 23-28, 2019.

Goodwin, E.C., McDonald, K.K. and E.E. Shortlidge. “The Elephant in the CURE Classroom: What Do We know About CUREs Taught by Graduate Teaching Assistants?” Gordon Research Conference on Undergraduate Biology Education Research, Lewiston, ME, June 23-28, 2019.

K.K. McDonald. “Partnering with Peer Leaders to Create Inclusive Academic Support Environments.” Network of STEM Education Centers Conference, Omaha, NE, May 31-June 2, 2019.

McDonald, K.K. and T.E. Landerholm. “Fostering Interdisciplinary, Cross-Institutional Collaboration to Provide Undergraduate STEM Students with Authentic Learning Experiences.” Accelerating Systemic Change Network Transforming Institutions Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, April 3-5, 2019.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER)
• Accelerating Systemic Change Network (ASCN)
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)
• National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)