Wainwright, Doi, Shaffrath Awarded for Teaching Excellence.
June 13 , 2008 - Dateline
Three faculty members from the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences were awarded for outstanding teaching in biology in 2008.
- Peter Wainwright, professor of evolution and ecology, received an award from the Academic Senate for undergraduate teaching.
- Roi Doi, distinguished professor of molecular & cellular biology was recognized for graduate teaching by the Academic Senate.
- Lecturer James Shaffrath, neurobiology, physiology and behavior, received an award for outstanding teaching from the Academic Federation.
Professor Peter Wainwright in his lab. (painting by Chuck Pell)
Academic Senate: Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching
Peter Wainwright, professor, Evolution and Ecology, and Center for Population Biology — He plays a pivotal role in teaching Introductory Biology 1, a required class for a wide range of majors and prehealth sciences courses. The course typically enrolls as many as 500 students; despite the difficulties of managing such a large class, Wainwright has received an "overall instructor" rating of 4.78 out of 5 on student evaluations. Wainwright also has extended mentoring to undergraduate students in these classes, discussing research opportunities with individual students and inviting some to join his laboratory studying the biomechanics of fish feeding.
Professor Roy Doi in 2006. (Wienert)
Academic Senate: Distinguished Graduate Teaching
Roy Doi, Distinguished Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology — He helped to establish the Biotechnology Program at UC Davis, was principal investigator on the first training grant in biotechnology awarded to the campus by the National Institutes of Health in 1991, designed the curriculum for the program and developed the Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology for graduate students. Among the graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have passed through his lab are three people who are now UC Davis professors: Chester Price, food science and technology; Valerie Williamson, nematology; and Ken Burtis, molecular and cellular biology and dean of the College of Biological Sciences. In 2006, Doi was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Academic Federation: Excellence in Teaching
James (Jim) Shaffrath, lecturer, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior — He teaches classroom and laboratory courses in exercise biology, including EXB 10, Exercise and Fitness: Principles and Practice, with Paul Salitsky, as well as courses in exercise physiology, environmental physiology, and exercise and aging. He typically teaches about 10 courses a year. For two decades, Shaffrath played a leading role in running the Adult Fitness Program at the Human Performance Laboratory in Hickey Gym, but recently returned to full-time teaching. The program conducts comprehensive fitness assessments both for research studies and for members of the public who wish to test their fitness.