Whether it’s your first year in undergraduate studies at university or your last, doing well academically while enjoying your learning can be tough. But the winners of this year’s CSB TA Teaching Excellence Award helped make it easier! Selected via student nominations, the winners brought both passion and knowledge to their teaching in courses at the Department of Cell and Systems Biology.
The CSB TA Teaching Excellence Award winners in 2024-25 are graduate students Ahmed Abdelmoneim (BIO130), Ben Brookbank (CSB350), Sharanja Premachandran (BIO130), and Christine Nguyen (CSB349). BIO130 is our introductory course in Molecular and Cell Biology; the first chance for many students to experience university-level biology. CSB349 and 350 are challenging courses that require deep biological knowledge gained over years of study.
Building understanding
In their nominations, students reflected on Abdelmoneim’s ability to foster true understanding of the content rather than promoting mere memorization. This was a conscious effort on Abdelmoneim’s part: “I tried to put a piece of myself in the work and give the students some things to remember, little nuggets they can reflect on. They may not know it, but they helped me transform as a teacher along the way.”
Growing as an educator
Brookbank has been working hard to grow as an educator during his time as a graduate student. “This is positive reinforcement that I’ve done something right and that I’m moving in the right direction in terms of being a good teacher. I’m grateful that the students are appreciative of that accomplishment.” Students commented on Brookbank’s easy manner that made complex genetic concepts engaging.
Supporting student needs
For Premachandran, ensuring the needs of every student is met is critical. Students mentioned this in their nominations, writing that they always felt supported. “This award means a lot more to me than other awards, since it means that the students really appreciated my efforts to quell their anxieties when taking on new laboratory skills,” says Premachandran.
Addressing difficult concepts
This is Nguyen’s second time winning the award, this time for a different course: “I was nominated for CSB349, which I find wild; I remember taking 349 when I was in third year and I knew as a student it was a very difficult course. I’m glad that I was able to leave that impact on students’ learning.” Students noted that Nguyen engaged everyone in tutorials and supported them along their learning journeys.
Congratulations to all the winners for their commitment to excellence in teaching!