Stephen Block

EDUCATION

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RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

My position as assistant lab director was designed to be a hybrid between two existing positions—lecturer and general chemistry lab director. As a lecturer, I lead a large general chemistry lecture section every semester. As an assistant lab director, I help ensure that the chemistry program retains its instructional quality as enrollment increases lead to expanding lab day schedules. Further aspects of this support role include many of the common day-to-day operations and some laboratory exercise development.

The uniqueness of my position does not result from the individual tasks associated with it, but rather with the interplay between them. Whether by my direct experience or by my close interaction with a significant number of graduate students, faculty, and staff, I have the opportunity to appreciate the preferences and insights of individuals working in almost every position of the general chemistry program. The fruit of such a perspective lies in coordinating suggestions related to program structure and curriculum in order to better free each associated participant to leverage their strengths and passions for the pedagogical and infrastructural goals that lie before us.

AWARDS & HONORS

2016 – Early Career Award, College of Letters & Science
2015 – James W. Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award, UW-Madison Department of Chemistry
2014 – University Housing Honored Instructor

PUBLICATIONS

View Publications Through Department of Chemistry