Teaching awards

Distinguished Teacher Award

The Distinguished Teacher Award (DTA) is received by teachers from the University of Waterloo who are evaluated based on evidence of intellectual vigour and communication skills in the interpretation and presentation of the subject matter in more than just the classroom, along with the instructor’s human quality and concern for and sensitivity to the needs of the students. More information about the DTA, including how to nominate an instructor, can be found on the Centre for Teaching Excellence website.

Past Recipients: Distinguished Teacher Award (expand)

Year received Name Department/School

2020

Rick Marta & Cynthia Richard Physics & Astronomy/Chemistry & Pharmacy
2018 Jake Fisher Chemistry
2017 Mónica Barra Chemistry
2014 Kashif Memon Science and Business
2012 Firas Mansour Physics and Astronomy
2011 Vivian Dayeh Biology
2010 Robert Mann Physics and Astronomy
2007 Barbara Moffatt Biology
2006 Owen Ward Biology
2005 Carey Bissonnette Chemistry
2004 Lyndon Jones & Jane Lang Optometry and Vision Science & Earth and Environmental Sciences
2004 Wing-Ki Liu Physics and Astronomy
1999 Rohan Jayasundera Physics and Astronomy
1998 Emil Frind Earth and Environmental Sciences
1996 Bill Diehl-Jones; Morton Globus & John Smith Biology; Biology & Physics and Astronomy
1995 Desmond Hemming Physics and Astronomy
1990 Niels Bols & Alan Morgan Biology & Earth and Environmental Sciences
1989 George Dixon Biology
1988 Anthony Anderson Physics and Astronomy
1987 Donald Irish & Marlee Spafford Chemistry & Optometry and Vision Science
1986 John Greenhouse Earth and Environmental Sciences
1984 Morris Tchir Chemistry
1983 David Williams Optometry and Vision Science
1982 Roger Downer Biology
1979 Stephen Smith Biology
1978 Thammaiah Viswanatha Chemistry
1976 Raj Pathria Physics and Astronomy

Excellence in Science Teaching Award

The Excellence in Science Teaching Award (ESTA) is awarded annually to a maximum of two instructors who have demonstrated sustained, high quality teaching in their undergraduate or graduate courses. The ESTA award was established to recognize and reward excellence in teaching and outstanding instructors within the Faculty of Science.

Past Recipients: Excellence in Science Teaching Award (expand)

Year Recipients
2023 Julie Goll (Chemistry) and Sarah Ruffell (Biology)
2022 Keith Delaney (Earth and Environmental Sciences) and Stefan Idziak (Physics and Astronomy)
2021 Lisa Christian (Optometry and Vision Science) and Brenda Lee (Physics and Astronomy)
2020 Laura Deakin (Chemistry) and Nardine Nakhla (Pharmacy)
2019 Natalie Hutchings (Optometry and Vision Science) and Marcel Pinheiro (Biology)
2018 Kristine Dalton (Optometry and Vision Science) and Rick Marta (Chemistry/Physics and Astronomy)
2017 Michael Beazely (Pharmacy) and Richard Epp (Physics and Astronomy)
2016 Mónica Barra (Chemistry) and Kirsten M. Müller (Biology)
2015 Andrea Edginton (Pharmacy) and Bill Power (Chemistry)
2014 Patricia Hrynchak (Optometry and Vision Science) and Josh Neufeld (Biology)
2013 Christine Dupont (Biology) and Steve Forsey (Chemistry)
2012 Kashif Memon (Science and Business) and Cynthia Richard (Pharmacy)
2011 Jake Fisher (Chemistry) and Jonathan Witt (Biology)
2010 Vivian Dayeh (Biology)

Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award

Every year, University of Waterloo undergraduate students have the opportunity to recognize professors that have shown outstanding contribution towards undergraduate learning. Recipients have employed non-conventional teaching techniques, allowed opportunities for experiential learning and shown a long term commitment and dedication towards ensuring academic success for undergraduate students.

Past Recipients: WUSA Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (expand)

Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student

The Amit & Meena Chakma Awards for Exceptional Teaching by a Student were established through a generous gift by Dr. & Mrs. Chakma to recognize and promote teaching excellence of our next generation of educators. Prior to 2006, it was named the Distinguished Teaching by a Registered Student Award. More information about this award can be found on the Centre for Teaching Excellence website

Past Recipients: Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student (expand)

Year received Name Department
2022 Urja Nandivada & Justin Shmordok Physics and Astronomy & Chemistry
2021 Melanie Mungalsingh & Quinn Worthington Optometry and Vision Science & Earth and Environmental Sciences
2020 Dania Abuleil & Amy Chow Optometry and Vision Science (both)
2019 Marcus Abramovitch & Heidi Fernandes Chemistry & Pharmacy
2017 Lay Ling Tan Chemistry
2016 Laura Sauder Biology
2014 Brenda Lee Biology
2013 Kyra Jones Biology
2012 Keith Delaney Earth and Environmental Sciences
2009 Richelle Monaghan Biology
2008 Erin Spicer Biology
2006 Julie Gauley Biology
2001 Owen Clements Chemistry
2000 James Benson Physics and Astronomy

Canadian Association of Physicists Medal for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Physics

The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) Medal for Excellence in Teaching honours faculty members who have a comprehensive knowledge and deep understanding of their subject and who possess the ability to communicate their knowledge and understanding in such a way as to lead their students to high academic achievement in physics.

Past Recipients: Canadian Association of Physicists Medal for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Physics (expand)

Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Teaching Excellence Award

The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) Teaching Excellence Award recognizes educators who excel at unlocking the potential of Ontario’s young people. OUSA annually presents its teaching awards to professors from each of our member campuses who have taken this role to heart, and who have been selected by their students as examples of teaching excellence.

Leadership in Faculty of Teaching Award

The LIFT Award was developed to recognize and encourage teaching excellence at Ontario's colleges and universities. This award has been given out to faculty who influence, motivate and inspire students and demonstrate leadership in teaching methods for the diverse student body in Ontario.

  • Rohan Jayasundera (Physics and Astronomy), 2007

Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations Awards

The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) Teaching and Academic Librarianship Awards recognize individuals with exceptional contributions to the higher education community.

  • Donald Irish (Chemistry), 1987