Psychology and Molecular & Cellular Biology Faculty Win 2020 UHP Outstanding Faculty Awards
Every year, the University Honors Program invites students to nominate UC Davis faculty for Outstanding Teaching and Faculty Mentorship Awards. These are our 2020 winners.
2020 Faculty Mentorship Award: Dr. Francis "Frank" McNally, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
The UHP Faculty Mentorship Award is awarded to a UC Davis faculty member for providing outstanding mentorship to a UHP student. An outstanding mentor is one who is accessible, impactful, and has played a significant role in at least one UHP student's undergraduate career. This year's recipient is Dr. Francis "Frank" McNally, a professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and director of the McNally Lab.
Dr. McNally was nominated by a UHP student whom he has mentored for three years in his research lab. He is being acknowledged for cultivating a positive and supportive lab culture, and for taking the time to individually mentor each undergraduate student in his lab. Dr. McNally meets weekly with his lab members, providing detailed feedback on their work and inspiring an enthusiastic interest in research in those under his mentorship.
2020 Outstanding Teaching Award: Dr. Ross Thompson, Distinguished Professor of Psychology
The UHP Outstanding Teaching Award is awarded to a UC Davis faculty member who taught at least one UHP course in the 2019-2020 academic year. This faculty member is nominated by first & second year UHP students for their outstanding teaching in this course. This year's recipient is Dr. Ross Thompson, a distinguished professor in the Department of Psychology and director of the Social & Emotional Development Lab.
Dr. Thompson was nominated by the students in his Fall 2019 UHP course PSC 1 - Introduction to Psychology, despite this being his first year teaching for UHP! He is being acknowledged for his willingness to adapt his teaching style to individual students' needs, as well as for his enthusiasm both inside and outside of the classroom. Dr. Thompson is frequently prepared to engage with students on topics extending beyond the course material, and makes a genuine effort to connect with each student individually.