Education
University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC April 2024
Master of Science, Genome Science and Technology
Thesis: Toward comprehensive understanding of early metazoans: reannotation for enhanced completeness of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi genome
Recipient of Faculty of Science Graduate Award
Universidade de Caxias do Sul – Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil 2018
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
Thesis: Development of an algorithm for promoter prediction of Escherichia coli using DNA duplex stability
Recipient of undergraduate research fellowships (2014–2018)
Experience
University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC Sep 2024 – Present
Sessional Lecturer
- Consistently ranked among the top Student Experience of Instruction (SEI) scores in the Faculty of Science (2024 Term 2; 2025 Term 1 and Term 2).
- Taught and mentored over 300 students, delivering engaging lectures and interactive learning experiences.
- Built positive relationships with students and co-workers through inclusive communication, responsive support, and pedagogical partnerships.
- Developed approachable and unique materials to support the teaching of subject matter, including data visualization methods, evidence-based case studies, and assessment metrics.
- Created and implemented iClicker questions, "think-pair-share" exercises, and collaborative group activities to assess real-time understanding and promote the practice of critical thinking.
- Designed and integrated in-class activities that promote active learning, encouraging students to move, discuss, and engage in evidence-based reasoning.
- Provided mentoring guidance to students, provided references for job and graduate studies applicants.
- First-Year Seminar in Science (SCIE 113):
- Developed and redesigned course assignments aligned with both minor and major curriculum changes
- Delivered the SCIE113 envisioned curriculum while implementing my own lessons on critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and interdisciplinary approaches to scientific questions.
- Designed (with support of course-wide guidelines) and conducted three 1-hour classes weekly, employing a blend of interactive, expository teaching and activity-based learning.
- Committed to student success through personalized, insightful feedback on assignments, with in-depth guidance on written essays and whole-class/1-on-1 office hours.
- Managed a range of student-related responsibilities outside of class, including conflict resolution, absence coordination, and accessibility accommodations.
- Thinking Like a Life Scientist (BIOL180):
- Designed and delivered weekly 3-hour classes combining lecture techniques such as interactive presentations and hands-on learning activities to maximize student engagement and comprehension.
- Recognized and rewarded intellectual curiosity by celebrating students who demonstrated virtues like analytical rigor, epistemic humility, and clear science communication.
- Covered principles of evolutionary biology tailored towards incoming first-year students.
- Scientific Thinking and Literacy (STL) - Science One Program (SCIE001):
- Designed and delivered biweekly 1-hour classes on a wide range of foundational topics of scientific practices and philosophy of science.
- Mentored multiple groups of students in term-long research projects.
- Overviewed and coordinated the schedule and term-long research projects of the STL component of the program, as well as the invitation of prestigious academic guest speakers.
- Cooperated with colleagues in cross-disciplinary collaborations throughout the academic year.
Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology (BIOL336) – Macroevolution Guest Lecture (2024-2025):
- Designed and delivered a 1.5-hour lecture on macroevolution for third-year biology students.
- Create exam questions to assess learning outcomes of the lecture.
- Worked with course coordinator to ensure lecture content was aligned with course goals.
University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC Sep 2020 – Aug 2024
Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Instructed more than 500 students. Acted as Coordinator on multiple occasions across courses.
- Supported instruction in courses including Molecular Genetics (BIOL 335), Introduction to Bioinformatics (BMEG 310), Fundamentals of Ecology (BIOL 230), and Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology (BIOL 336) leading tutorials, mentoring students, and fostering inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
- Designed and evaluated assignments, providing personalized feedback on pedagogical approaches, content used, and assessment metrics.
- Coordinated teaching assistant teams and course logistics as a Teaching Assistant Coorinator, streamlining task delegation, managing academic accommodations, and ensuring effective communication between instructors, teaching assistants, and students.
University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC Sep 2020 – Apr 2024
Graduate Research Assistant
- Investigated genomic organization in early metazoans by annotating the Mnemiopsis leidyi genome,performing synteny analyses, and conducting comparative gene repertoire studies.
- Built and maintained reproducible bioinformatics pipelines using Python, Perl, and Bash for large-scale biological data analysis across HPC platforms.
- Applied statistical methods, data visualization techniques, and big data management strategies to analyze high-throughput sequencing datasets and communicate results effectively.
- Experienced in Linux/Unix systems for command-line data processing, software deployment, and server operations in bioinformatics workflows.
- Managed version-controlled codebases via GitHub, maintained structured server infrastructures, and contributed to collaborative documentation to ensure research reproducibility and transparency.
- Familiar with end-to-end NGS workflows, including quality control, alignment, expression analysis, and interpretation; skilled in statistical hypothesis testing and algorithm evaluation.
Universidade de Caxias do Sul – Caxias do Sul, Brazil Jun 2014 – Aug 2020
Undergraduate Research Assistant & Consultant
- Applied K-means clustering and Artificial Neural Networks for the prediction of bacterial promoter sequences.
- Published research in bioinformatics, bacterial genomics, and big data, and presented findings at national and international academic conferences.
- Collaborated with faculty and graduate students on developing bioinformatics approaches for joint projects, including the application of clustering techniques and machine learning models to biological datasets.
- Supervised and consulted with undergraduate, M.Sc., and PhD students on experimental design, data analysis, and bioinformatics methods, supporting skill development and research outcomes across disciplines.
Publications & Book Chapters
* Titles translated from Portuguese.
- Dall’Alba, G. (2024). Toward comprehensive understanding of early metazoans: reannotation for enhanced completeness of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi genome. Master's Thesis, UBC.
- Dall’Alba, G. (2023). Clustering for bacterial promoter sequences: DNA Sequences Clusterizer tool. In From Biology to Biotechnology. EDUCS Editora.*
- Dall’Alba, G., Casa, P.L., et al. (2022). A survey of the biological data in a Big Data perspective. Big Data.
- Coelho R., Dall’Alba G., et al. (2020). Towards Algorithms for Automation of Postgenomic Data analyses: Bacillus subtilis Promoter Prediction with Artificial Neural Network. OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology.
- Coelho R., Dall’Alba G., Silva, S.A.S. (2020). Applications of Neural Networks. In Bioinformatics: Computational Context and Applications. EDUCS Editora.*
- Dall’Alba G., et al. (2019). Bibliometric Study on Bioinformatics: A Survey in the Brazilian Library of Theses and Dissertations. NBC-Periódico Científico do Núcleo de Biociências.*
- Schiavo M., Dall’Alba G., et al. (2019). Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering for Developing Solutions in Biotechnology. In Biological Sciences in Healthcare and Contemporaneity 2. Atena Editora.*
- Dall’Alba, G., et al. (2019). Analysis of the nucleotide content of Escherichia coli promoter sequences related to the alternative sigma factors. Journal of Molecular Recognition.
- Dall’Alba, G., et al. (2016). In silico analysis of Escherichia coli promoters recognized by sigma factors. SaBios.*
Publications & Book Chapters
* Titles translated from Portuguese.
- Guzzo, G.B., Dall’Alba, G. (2026). Epistemological considerations on the exercise and teaching of critical thinking. Revista Insignare Scientia.
- Odendaal, L, Dall’Alba, G (2025, June 19-20). Making connections between evolutionary concepts: a case study using the Pacific field cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus [Poster presentation]. UBC Biology Teaching & Learning Retreat 2025. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Guzzo, G.B., Dall'Alba, G. (2025). When We Become the Seekers. Free Inquiry.
- Dall’Alba, G (2024, June 21-24). “How Do We Know This Is True?” Encouraging Critical Thinking in Scientific Inquiry. UBC Biology Teaching & Learning Retreat 2024. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Guzzo, G.B., Dall'Alba, G. (2024). Science does not have all the answers – And this is not a problem. Skeptical Inquirer.
- Elias, D.C., Dall'Alba, G. (2023). Nature's Imposters: Mimicry. In Science to be read in schools. Pages 75-83.*
- Guzzo, G.B., Dall'Alba, G. (2022). LAATS, A.; SIEGEL, H. Teaching evolution in a creation nation. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2016. Revista Conjectura.*
- Dall'Alba, G. (2022). Science as a process: Critical Thinking and Scientific through the lens of Biotechnology. In Biotechnology in Schools: Educational Practices for Basic Education. Pages 39-62.*
- Dall'Alba, G., Guzzo, G.B. (2022). The importance of qualified communication of ideas on science education. Revista Interdisciplinar de Ciência Aplicada.*
- Guzzo, G.B., Dall'Alba, G. (2021). Science as a process: epistemic lessons from the pandemic. ACTIO: Docência em Ciências.*
- Guzzo, G.B., Dall'Alba, G. (2017). What is an ideal critical thinker expected to conclude about anthropogenic global warming?. Philosophical Inquiry in Education.
- Dall'Alba, G., Guzzo, G.B., de Avila e Silva, S. (2016). Science and Education: A Perspective of Didactic Transposition with Bioinformatics Concepts. International Journal for Infonomics.
- Guzzo, G.B., Dall'Alba, G. (2016). The Role of Educators in Desacralizing Ideas. Humanist Perspectives, Ottawa 196, Pages 8-11.