About
Dr. Sarvary’s education research in biology and science communication focuses on student-centered strategies to address pressing challenges in higher education. Drawing on more than two decades of interdisciplinary experience across the biological sciences, social sciences, and management, he has successfully led diverse projects that advance teaching and learning. He champions open science and engaged scholarship to make scientific knowledge broadly accessible, while fostering inclusive, supportive, and effective learning environments in his courses. Dr. Sarvary actively contributes to conversations on improving higher education at Cornell and in national and international forums. Recognizing the barriers created by the hidden curriculum, he integrates Universal Design for Learning principles to remove obstacles and promote equity. His research directly informs his teaching, empowering students to develop autonomy, sustain motivation, manage expectations, and acquire transferable skills such as critical thinking, scientific literacy, and science communication. Committed to mentorship, he equips undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants with the tools they need for successful careers.
Dr. Sarvary directs the Investigative Biology Teaching Laboratories at Cornell University, where he trains graduate and undergraduate lab instructors in pedagogical methods and helps nearly 900 undergraduate students each year strengthen their skills in experimental design, information literacy, and science communication. He is a strong advocate for active learning and digital pedagogy in large classrooms and public science events, transforming traditional lectures into engaging dialogues.
To promote public engagement, Dr. Sarvary teaches an applied Science Communication course, advises State-Of-The-Pod, an undergraduate science communication club, and founded the Science Communication and Public Engagement undergraduate minor, for which he serves as faculty advisor. For over a decade, he has also been the science advisor for a local science café and produced a science podcast at a local radio station, fostering connections between the university and the broader Ithaca community.
More information: marksarvary.com
Publication list on Google Scholar and on OrcID
