MaryKay Orgill, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

I love teaching, and I truly enjoy interacting with my students. Each new day with them is a fun challenge. In many ways, I feel that teaching is my life calling. I’ve been a tutor, teaching assistant, or instructor in Math, Spanish, or Chemistry since I was 14 years old. My position in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UNLV is somewhat unique and allows me to take advantage of my love of teaching from two different perspectives. Although my science content background is in chemistry (specifically, biochemistry), I also have training in educational research. I was specifically hired to teach chemistry courses and to perform educational research in order to improve undergraduate biochemistry and chemistry teaching and learning.

Because of my dual expertise in chemistry and educational research, I have many unique teaching, research, and service opportunities. In fact, it is often difficult for me to clearly separate my teaching, research and service activities. I believe that each of these components of my university responsibilities is part of my developing a picture of how students understand and learn chemistry. Without teaching, I would not be aware of the difficulties students experience in learning chemistry. Without research, I would not be able to examine student difficulties or suggest methods by which instructors can help their students learn chemistry effectively (or learn how I should change my own teaching methods to benefit my students!). Without service, I would not build the relationships necessary for sharing my teaching experiences and research findings. Together, all of these experiences help me provide the best chemistry learning experiences that I can for our wonderful UNLV students.

Dr. Orgill has graciously agreed to share her application packet to anyone who wishes to apply for the Spanos Teaching Award. Please email tl.commons@unlv.edu to obtain a copy.