Assistant Professor, Biology
What is your educational background?
I have always had a love of science. I took all the extra science courses I could in high school as electives! My undergraduate degree is from Millersville University and is a B.S. in Marine Biology. I completed marine biology field courses at what is now called the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Wallops Island VA. Fun fact: I now take students there for a field trip in the Marine Biology course I developed here at Del Val! My graduate degree is from Drexel University and is a Ph.D. in Environmental Science. My focus was ecotoxicology, and I studied the presence of environmental contaminants in the Diamondback Terrapin, a brackish water turtle species found in coastal marshes along the Atlantic coast of the US.
What brought you to DelVal?
When I started at Del Val I had already been teaching in Higher education for almost 10 years. While I was teaching the subjects I enjoy and am passionate about ecology and environmental science, I was not teaching to a student audience that was committed to that branch of biology. Most students were on a pre-professional track. I was eager to engage students in hands-on learning that they would be able to use in their careers. Del Val was looking for someone who could teach their Limnology course and that was what attracted me to the job posting at first. I was also excited about the smaller student body which would allow me to teach courses to smaller groups of students and provide an opportunity to incorporate that hands-on, in the field learning that I was looking for.
How do you harness the experiential learning pillar of Delaware Valley University and apply that to your everyday teaching?
The courses that I teach in the Biology Department are all paired with a required lab. Labs are already based on experiential learning. Students are provided the opportunity to apply concepts learned in lecture and apply or practice them in lab. I try to go beyond just practice and focus on the application. For example, in my Limnology course, students learn how to use field specific equipment to collect data about the physical, chemical and biological properties of lakes and streams. All the data collected throughout the semester is incorporated into their final paper where they interpret the data collected based on the concepts we learn in lecture to determine how a reservoir affects the stream it empties into. It is a great learning experience for students because on top of a list of skills they can list on a resume they can also demonstrate that they can apply those skills in a “real life” situation, one they may end up facing in an internship or job.
In addition to providing experiential learning opportunities in class I also provide students with an opportunity to earn E360 credits by completing an internship with me. I am working with the Valley Forge Watershed Association and conducting a long-term water quality monitoring project on the Schuylkill River. Students apply for a research assistant position and use the experience for a credit of career exploration. So far 37 students have completed an internship with me and the majority have used this for E360.
What brings you the most satisfaction in your job?
The students. Particularly when you see them experience the “a- ha” moment, when that light bulb clicks on! The knowledge that I have helped a student learn something new about the natural world and the excitement and sense of accomplishment the student has at that moment is what keeps me coming back.
Do you have any student success stories that stand out to you?
At this point I have been at DelVal long enough (5 years) that I have been with students through a full generation, from their freshman year to their senior year. I cannot think of one specific success story but what I truly appreciate and look forward to is hearing from those students and what they have accomplished after graduating. I have heard from students who have gone on to grad school and others who are working in a job they love.
What are the characteristics of a successful student at DelVal?
Dedication to their own success and perseverance to continue when they face challenges. The vast majority of students are so dedicated to the field they are majoring in that their excitement encourages success.
How do you describe DelVal and the DelVal student from your perspective?
I can really only speak to the students that take my courses, so mainly students working towards degrees in biology, environmental science, and wildlife conservation. DelVal students are charismatic, they want to learn, they want to make a difference in the world, and they appreciate the efforts their professors put into their success. DelVal is a place that focuses on providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to be successful in their future careers.
Are there any specific activities or initiatives you prioritize when mentoring DelVal students?
It all depends on what the student’s goals are for after graduation. I think our student research course provides an extremely enriching opportunity. Students learn how to write a proposal, carry out a research project and present their results. If a student’s goal is to go on to graduate school student research is a great experience.
If you were a YouTube or TikTok influencer, what would the subject of your channel or content be about? (specific hobby? Knowledgeable about a topic? travel, food, gardening, exercising, etc.)
Probably something related to marine biology. I enjoy scuba diving so that would be something I would love to share.
About Dr. Emily Basile
Dr. Emily Basile teaches biology at DelVal and shares her specialization in the aquatic environment and marine ecosystems with her students through valuable field research opportunities. Her current research interests include long-term water quality monitoring of important freshwater systems and the presence and distribution of microplastics in Atlantic marine ecosystems. Her students have the opportunity to earn E360 research credits by working with her on a project for the Valley Forge Watershed Association.