Melanie Mungalsingh, recipient of the Amit and Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student, 2021

Melanie Mungalsingh, School of Optometry and Vision Science

Melanie Mungalsingh

Melanie Mungalsingh, a PhD student in Optometry, is recognized by her students and colleagues for her exceptional teaching skills, accessibility, approachability, and problem-solving abilities. An optometry student remarked that Mungalsingh “went the extra mile to make sure she provided the best guidance, even if it meant researching problems on her own and getting back to students outside of work hours.”A colleague remarked that “Mungalsingh presents material in a variety of ways and adapts her language as needed to ensure students understand the concepts that she is enforcing.” As well, several of her students pointed out that she has always made herself available and accessible to answer questions about campus life or confusing scientific concepts outside scheduled labs and office hours. Students have truly felt supported by Mungalsingh.

Mungalsingh continues to build her teaching portfolio by taking part in the Fundamentals of University Teaching Certificate with the Centre for Teaching Excellence. She also earned a Certificate in Online Course Facilitation at the University of Waterloo to learn how to deliver engaging online courses.

Mungalsingh has been a lab instructor for OPTOM 337, OPTOM 387, OPTOM 255, OPTOM 152, BIOL 130, BIOL 273, BIOL 373.