91ÒùĸÊÓƵ

Valerie Budd, Kathleen W. Klawe Prize for Excellence in Teaching of Large Classes

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I am an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences and, as such, my focus is my students. Guiding students to a genuine understanding of the material, nurturing students’ interest in mathematics, and helping students overcome the legacy of any negative mathematics–related experiences are the foundations of my enthusiasm for and commitment to teaching math and stats.

What philosophy do you bring to your research, teaching and/or service in the Faculty of Science?

I believe it is crucial for an instructor to be patient, approachable, kind, encouraging, and enthusiastic about the subject, so that students feel comfortable seeking assistance and associate doing mathematics with positive experiences. In class, I strive to create a light- hearted atmosphere, injecting humour where possible, and to foster a sense of openness, so that students feel comfortable to ask questions and contribute to discussions. I also think that one key to effective teaching lies in an instructor’s ability to convey information at a level that is simple enough to be accessible, but sophisticated enough to promote interest and further exploration in the area. This is no easy feat, but is essential to addressing the diversity of student needs and abilities during a course.

In my opinion, the most effective way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics. Individual practice is the most crucial component of the learning process. I feel it is important for student engagement with the subject matter to begin with simple problems, which ensures that students develop a strong grasp of the fundamentals upon which to build their knowledge, while boosting confidence in their ability to do mathematics. At the same time, challenging problems are imperative to guide students beyond rote learning and develop critical thinking skills. Furthermore, I think we learn more from our mistakes than we do our triumphs, and as such, I believe that students should be given a place to learn without the fear of making errors. One way that I have implemented this in my teaching is to give students unlimited attempts at online homework problems before the due date. The opportunity to try something until one gets it right is an essential part of the learning process.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?

I was deeply touched and excited when I found out about the award. I feel very fortunate to have a job in which I get to enjoy two of my great passions: mathematics and teaching. I care about my students and their success, so I put a lot of time and effort into teaching. It is, indeed, nice to be recognized.

Sadaf Ahmed, Faculty of Science Excellent Teaching Award

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
My position is Full Faculty Lecturer. My work focuses on teaching, developing course materials, and coordinating first-year courses to ensure a strong foundational experience for students entering the discipline.

What philosophy do you bring to your research, teaching and/or service in the Faculty of Science?
My approach is rooted in a commitment to student-centered learning, pedagogical innovation, and collaborative course delivery. My research focuses on improving teaching and assessment practices, with particular emphasis on scalable models for managing large instructional teams to enhance course coordination and student support.

In teaching, I prioritize connection, engagement, and accessibility. I adapt to student feedback in real time, use active learning techniques, and draw on creative analogies to make complex computing concepts relatable. I strive to create an inclusive environment where students feel supported and motivated to succeed.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
I was truly honored and thrilled to receive the Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award. It was a moment of deep gratitude and excitement—both for the recognition itself and for the support I received throughout the nomination process. I’m especially thankful to my department for nominating me and to everyone who contributed to the nomination. This award affirms the value of student-centered, innovative teaching, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence in the classroom.

Lisa Willis, Faculty of Science Innovation in Teaching Award

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
Assistant Professor (promoted to Associate Professor as of July 1, 2025). I study how glycans control the immune response in health and disease, with a focus on sex differences and women's health.

What philosophy do you bring to your research, teaching and/or service in the Faculty of Science?
"Science is a process, not a collection of facts" (Öberg et al. Science and Education 2022). This statement resonates strongly with me and informs the way I teach. The things I value are skills to be developed as opposed to facts to be memorized. Thus, the overarching goal of my teaching is to help students grow as people through development of their critical thinking skills and self-confidence. Students today are faced with enormous amounts of uncertainty (e.g. climate change, inflation, social justice issues) which is contributing to a mental health crisis characterized by huge spikes in self-reported anxiety and depression. To help students grow under these conditions, it is critical to provide a supportive and engaging environment where the students both want to and feel empowered to learn. My strategy for achieving these goals is comprised of four overlapping and complementary strategies, including flipping the classroom, skill development and formative assessments, peer-learning, and creating safe/inclusive spaces. I employ these strategies in both classes I teach: the second year large enrollment class MICRB 265 Microbiology (360 students) and the fourth year/grad discussion course BIOL 495/595 Glycobiology (11 – 14 students)

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
The award means a lot because it took a few years of trial and error to figure out what worked for both myself and my students. To see it recognized by the Faculty who have so much experience with teaching excellence feels incredible.

Michael Bowling, Faculty of Science Service Award (faculty category)

Congratulations to Michael Bowling on receiving the Faculty of Science Service Award (faculty category)! His dedication to service is greatly appreciated.

Christine Williams, Faculty of Science Service Award (non-faculty category)

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
My position within the Faculty of Science is Faculty Health and Safety Officer. I am responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing execution of the overall Health Safety and Environment management program for the Faculty of Science. I have been focused on supporting groups within Sciences with their inquiries as it relates to health and safety as well as targeted support through the lab inspection process.

What philosophy do you bring to your teaching in the Faculty of Science?
I feel strongly about relationship building and meeting with members within Science face to face, seeing their workspaces and truly understanding their concerns or needs. I approach all interactions with a positive attitude and intentionally create space to have open conversations that may be difficult.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
I am so appreciative and humbled to receive this award. As a long time member of Science, I took this position as a way to make a broader positive impact within the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ, especially within our faculty. I feel this honour shows that my goal to make that positive impact is becoming a reality.

Bei Jiang, Faculty of Science 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Award

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I am an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science. My research focuses on developing statistical methods to tackle challenges arising from high-dimensional and complex health data. Recently, I have worked on (1) federated statistical analysis to integrate and analyze decentralized health data across institutions, (2) privacy-preserving techniques that enable secure data sharing and analysis, and (3) methods to detect and mitigate algorithmic biases, with the goal of promoting fair and equitable decision-making in data-driven systems.

What philosophy do you bring to your research, teaching and/or service in the Faculty of Science?
My philosophy on research focuses on bridging rigorous statistical methodological innovation with real-world impact. My work is driven by the challenges of analyzing high-dimensional and complex health data. I see research, teaching, and service as deeply connected. In the classroom, I focus on helping students build strong technical skills while encouraging them to think critically about the social and ethical dimensions of data science. In service, I care a lot about creating a collaborative and inclusive environment where people from diverse backgrounds can thrive and contribute meaningfully. Overall, I aim to do work that not only advances our field but also makes a positive difference in society.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
I was genuinely surprised and very grateful when I learned I had received this award. It means a lot to me, especially because statistics as a discipline is often misunderstood or underappreciated. People tend to think of statistics as a sub-area of mathematics, but in reality, it is a distinct field that combines theory, computation, and real-world application. It plays a critical role in making sense of uncertainty, informing policy, guiding scientific discovery, and ensuring that data-driven decisions are fair and reliable.

This recognition not only affirms the value of my research but also helps shine a light on the broader importance of statistical thinking in today’s world. It’s a meaningful reminder that our work does matter, even if it's often happening behind the scenes. 

Dennis Hall, Faculty of Science Graduate Mentoring Award

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I am a Professor of Chemistry. My specialization is organic chemistry, specifically the synthesis of new molecules and their applications in drug discovery and catalysis. My lab is dedicated mostly to research on organoboron chemistry, which encompasses the use of methods and compounds composed of the element boron. Most of my trainees end up working as research scientists in the drug discovery industry.

What philosophy do you bring to your research, teaching and/or service in the Faculty of Science?
Science is about rigor and attention to detail, so these are very important values that I try to foster. Equally important is passion, which is particularly crucial to teaching and service, and resilience. 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ can be challenging at times, but I like to tell my students that they need just one success to forget all those failed experiments. With a lot of patience, hard work tends to pay off.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
It took me by surprise because I learned only recently that my department and the Chemistry Graduate Student Association nominated me for this award. I am touched and honored that people think I am worthy of this award. I have been fortunate to be recognized for research in the past, but the Graduate Mentoring Award brings a human dimension to my research and the essential role of trainees. Transformative discoveries are rare and for the most part, trainees are the most important outcome of academic research. From this perspective, it is gratifying to know that my past and current lab members value their training environment. In turn it pushes me to be a better mentor. Many now hold key positions in the pharmaceutical industry and academia, and I am always proud to hear of their progression and achievements.

Lisa Budney, Faculty of Science EDI Award

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I am the Collections and Museums Administrator for the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS.) I organize and care for specimens used for teaching and research in EAS. The department hosts over 2 million rocks, minerals, meteorites and fossils, most of which are part of five 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Museums Collections. I also develop and operate the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Paleontology Museum, and the 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Mineralogy and Petrology Museum which are open Fridays in the basement of the Earth Sciences Building.

What philosophy do you bring to your research, teaching and/or service in the Faculty of Science?
From a settler perspective, I'm responsible for specimens that belong to the people of 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ. The rocks, minerals, meteorites and fossils are part of the oldest museum collections in the province. From an indigenized perspective, I care for relations, ancestors, and protectors until they return to the land. Because my job is so broad in scope, every morning I wake up and ask myself, "how can I best help the people of 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ." I formulate an answer. And I do that.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
I felt honoured when I learned that I had received the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award. I have been a social justice activist for most of my life. I can't think of a Faculty of Science Award that would ever mean more to me.

Britta Jensen & Darrin Molinaro, Faculty of Science Indigenous Initiatives Award

Congratulations to Britta Jensen & Darrin Molinaro on receiving the Faculty of Science Indigenous Initiatives Award! Thank you for your work and dedication.

Maya Evenden, ADLIB (Biological Sciences)

This year, the The Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation Bestie (ADLIB) in the Department of Biological Sciences was awarded to Maya Evenden. Maya's outstanding teaching was recognized by her colleagues in the department. Congratulations, Maya!

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I am a professor in the Dept of Biological Sciences. I run the insect behaviour and chemical ecology lab. We study how insects interact with chemicals in their environment. Our work has both basic and applied aspects.

What philosophy do you bring to your teaching in the Faculty of Science?
My teaching philosophy revolves around experiential learning and accessibility of learning to students. I try to apply these core principles to the development and teaching of all my courses from the Online first year MOOC that I developed (ENT 101: Insect-Human Interactions) to my grad course in Advanced Chemical Ecology (BIOL 534). I also think building community is important for the student experience, that is why I volunteered to provide enrichment sessions to our BIOL 499 students this year. This opportunity allowed students to build a cohort outside of their research lab and learn some extra skills (scientific writing, oral presentations) and be exposed to careers in Biology.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
I was surprised to hear that I had been nominated as the BioSci recipient of the AdLib award. I had shared my new assessment (a comic strip) in my Insect Biology class (ENT 220) with some colleagues...and I guess they thought it was cool enough to warrant a nomination! I was grateful to be recognized by my colleagues.

Julianne Gibbs, ADLIB (Chemistry)

This year, the The Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation Bestie (ADLIB) in the Department of Chemistry was awarded to Julianne Gibbs. Julianne's outstanding teaching was recognized by her colleagues in the department. Congratulations, Julianne!

Nathan Sturtevant, ADLIB (Computing Science)

This year, the The Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation Bestie (ADLIB) in the Department of Computing Science was awarded to Nathan Sturtevant. Nathan's outstanding teaching was recognized by his colleagues in the department. Congratulations, Nathan!

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I’m a professor in the department of Computing Science. In addition to teaching, my research is in the field of Artificial Intelligence. My work focuses primarily on solving problems using combinatorial search.

What philosophy do you bring to your teaching in the Faculty of Science?
One of my goals in teaching is to enable students to learn as effectively as possible. In one of my classes, this meant creating dozens of interactive demos that are used in class. These allow students to explore material in ways that aren’t possible on a whiteboard or even with animated slides.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
Our department has many outstanding instructors that I can continue to learn from, so it was an honor to be selected this year.

Emily Grise, ADLIB (Earth & Atmospheric Sciences)

This year, the The Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation Bestie (ADLIB) in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences was awarded to Emily Grise. Emily's outstanding teaching was recognized by her colleagues in the department. Congratulations, Emily!

Rogerio Manica, ADLIB (Mathematical & Statistical Sciences)

This year, the The Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation Bestie (ADLIB) in the Department of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences was awarded to Rogerio Manica. Rogerio's outstanding teaching was recognized by his colleagues in the department. Congratulations, Rogerio!

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I am an Assistant Teaching Staff, or maybe Assistant Teaching Professor. My main focus is on teaching Mathematics courses to Engineering and Science students. I teach mostly Calculus and Differential Equations to 100's of students each term.

What philosophy do you bring to your teaching in the Faculty of Science?
My main philosophy is to be prepared and engaging. I spend hours preparing each lecture so that the delivery is clear and correct. I am very motivated to teach my lectures to the highest standard so that students are motivated to show up to class every time.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
I was surprised to be nominated to the award given that I have been teaching for only three years. I believe it was likely a consequence of the positive feedback my teaching received from hundreds of students that took Calculus with me. This recognition means a lot and motivates me to keep on improving and delivering better and better lectures in the future. I have been fortunate that most of my students keep coming to class all the way to the end of the term.

Taylor Rogers, ADLIB (Physics)

This year, the The Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation Bestie (ADLIB) in the Department of Physics was awarded to Taylor Rogers. Taylor's outstanding teaching was recognized by his colleagues in the department. Congratulations, Taylor!

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
My position title is: Department of Physics Undergraduate Labs Technician. My work focuses on a wide variety of different day to day operations of the Physics Undergraduate labs and lectures. Including: the set up and preparation for the first/second/and third year lab courses, equipment maintenance and repair, lecture demonstration set up and delivery for our instructors, TA training, and working with undergraduate students in our labs.

What philosophy do you bring to your teaching in the Faculty of Science?
The philosophy I bring is centered on giving the students the best learning experience in our physics program. I strive to help both students and instructors reach target learning goals and am always excited to try new ways of facilitating experimental ideas.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?
I was very surprised when I read the email informing me I was getting an award. It is an honour to be recognized by my department for the work I do and I am very appreciative for this award and acknowledgement.

Lauren Guillette, ADLIB (Psychology)

This year, the The Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation Bestie (ADLIB) in the Department of Psychology was awarded to Lauren Guillette. Lauren's outstanding teaching was recognized by her colleagues in the department. Congratulations, Lauren!

What is your position title in the Faculty of Science? What does your work focus on?
I am an Associate Professor of comparative cognition and behaviour, a Canada 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Chair in Cognitive Ecology and leader of the Animal Cognition 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Group. My team's work examines how learning and other cognitive abilities allow animals to solve problems they face in the wild. We spend lots of time examining among-individual variation in learning and have been studying the decisions involved in nest-building behaviour in birds.

What philosophy do you bring to your teaching in the Faculty of Science?
I am lucky and teach classes like 'principles of learning' and 'animal cognition' that are near and dear to my research interests and my passion for these topics is obvious when I teach and some students are inspired by that enthusiasm. More generally, my goals are to help students consume information and come to their own informed decisions. In my classroom these tools come in the form of picking out the important bits of information such as the main question and the theory from which that question arose. We also work on understanding what the data say and how these data are then interpreted. My teaching focuses on empowering students to work together, rely on each other for feedback and practice communicating their own questions and ideas.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd received this award? What does this recognition mean to you?

My team created an online lesson plan called. This past year, with the help of U of A students in Dr. Sathya Rao's class, we had this lesson translated into French. When I found out about this award I ran down to the laboratory where my team works so I could share this exciting news. Having someone tell you that you did a good job feels great and I am so appreciative of this award.