We are pleased to announce that the winner of this year's Excellence in Teaching Award in the College of Physical Sciences is Dr Laurent Trembleau, Lecturer in Chemistry in the School of Natural and Computing Sciences. Dr Trembleau will receive an award of £1,000 following nominations by students in fourth year Chemistry.
Dr Trembleau accepted a Lectureship in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen at the end of 2004.
His fourth year students in courses CM4026 (Advanced Chemistry) and CM4028 (Honours Chemistry Research Project) praised him for his enthusiasm for his subject and his considerate concern for his students. They described him as being an “eternal optimist, good humoured” mentor, and added that: “his reassuring attitude and gentle encouragement leaves you feeling valued and as if the whole exchange has been his pleasure.” His students also noted his inspiring teaching and commitment to being a supportive and caring tutor, commenting “When he helps, it is not out of obligation but because he really truly wants to help you, because he genuinely cares about the students.” His students also noted the dedication and good will shown by Dr Trembleau through being “patient and generous with both his knowledge and his time, despite his extremely busy schedule.” They further noted, in particular, his helpfulness, approachability and the obvious care he showed for his students, which they supported by commenting that the nomination for Dr Trembleau was a decision “backed up by the entire 4th year class and there was nobody more deserving.”
Other members of staff in the College nominated for the award this year were: Dr William Harrison, Dr David Muirhead, Mrs Nina Nikora, Mr Tom Baxter, Dr Ross Macpherson, Dr Jeffry Oliver, Dr Oleksandr Menshykov, Dr Richard Hepworth and Dr David Quinn.
The Excellence in Teaching Award was first introduced in academic year 2006/07. All undergraduate students are invited to nominate a member of academic staff for the Teaching Award and one winner is chosen from each College. It is encouraging to see that students continue to engage with the award scheme, and that several of our College academic staff have been nominated more than once in the eight years it has been running.
Mrs Jackie Stewart, Lecturer, School of Education has been awarded the Teaching Award 2014 in the College of Arts and Social Sciences, and the winner from the College of Life Sciences and Medicine is Dr Claire Trinder, Teaching Fellow, Biological Scienes. As Dr Trembleau will not be in Aberdeen at the time of graduation in July, he will be presented with his award at an appropriate graduation ceremony in November 2014.
We would like to commend Dr Trembleau for his dedication to the delivery of high quality teaching which is clearly much appreciated by his students. Many congratulations.