University of Toronto life sciences faculty recognized for undergraduate teaching excellence

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine has recognized four faculty members for excellence and sustained contribution to undergraduate teaching in life sciences.

“These awards are a way for us to honour and recognize the invaluable contributions from our undergraduate faculty members to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s educational mission,” explains Justin Nodwell, Vice Dean, Research and Health Science Education. “Our faculty’s commitment to enhancing the undergraduate learning experience and providing unparalleled support to our students is truly exceptional.” 

Richard Horner, professor of physiology and medicine, is recognized with the award for Sustained Excellence and Innovation in Life Sciences Education. This award recognizes a minimum of 15 years of outstanding contributions to any aspect of undergraduate life sciences education.

Horner, a seasoned educator and an author of over 140 research articles and chapters in textbooks, leads and teaches courses on sleep science at the undergraduate and graduate level. He is also a previous recipient of a Temerty Medicine Sustained Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship award and an Excellence in Linking Undergraduate Teaching to Research award.

Helen Miliotis, a professor of physiology, will receive the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in the Life Sciences award for her impact on teaching, coordination and development of undergraduate life sciences courses.

A Temerty Medicine alumna, Miliotis teaches several foundational physiology courses at the undergraduate level and is the program director of the MHSc in Medical Physiology program. Her previous teaching awards include the Robert Goode Early Career Teaching Award from the department of physiology and the Early Career Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship award from Temerty Medicine.

In the category of Excellence in Undergraduate Laboratory Teaching in the Life Sciences, Sian Patterson, professor of biochemistry, and Kristina Lisk, professor of anatomy, will be receive the award. This prize recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching, coordination and development of undergraduate laboratory courses in the life sciences.

Patterson teaches lecture and lab courses and is involved in program delivery and student mentorship, and recently taking became undergraduate coordinator for the department of biochemistry. She is a Temerty Medicine alumna and past recipient of a Temerty Medicine Excellence in Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching award.

Lisk teaches two popular undergraduate anatomy courses and leads a research program in anatomy education. Her most recent work focuses on incorporating the use of 3D printed models and virtual reality into the learning process. She is also a Temerty Medicine alumna.

Along with a cash award, recipients will be honoured at the upcoming Temerty Medicine Education Achievement Celebration.