Nirusha Thavarajah
Biography:
Nirusha Thavarajah completed her Honours Bachelor's Degree in the field of Organic Chemistry, and Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at the University of Toronto. She pursued her post-doctorate in Medicinal Chemistry at the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research (OICR)/Princess Margaret Hospital and her Master’s in intellectual property law (LL.M.) at Osgoode Hall Law School. Her enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to teaching inspired her to pursue her Master of Education (M.Ed.) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology specializing in developing modern pedagogical methods and leadership in higher education.
Research Interests:
Developing green techniques for organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
Teachings:
- CHMA10H3 - Introductory Chemistry I
- CHMA11H3- Introductory Chemistry II
- PSCB90H3 - Physical Sciences Research Experience
- CHMC41H3 - Organic Reaction Mechanisms
- CHMD47H3 - Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry
Awards:
2020 – Dr. Bala Maheshwaran Junior Faculty Award 2020 for Excellence in Science Education
2016 – University of Toronto Scarborough Course Instructor Teaching Award
2016 – Technological Advances in Science, Medicine and Engineering Chairs Award for Excellence in Education
January 2021 - January 2023
e-Campus Ontario ($55, 600.00)
Project Title: Customizable Simulations for Chemistry, Environment and Engineering
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Project Lead: Prof. Mark Schmuckler, Vice Provost - Innovation in Undergraduate Education (Acting), University of Toronto |
Project Team: Greg Evans (Lead Instructor 1), Nirusha Thavarajah (Lead Instructor 2), Kimia Moozeh (Post-doctoral researcher), and Qin Liu (Subject matter expert, Project Coordinator)
November 2020 - November 2021
Teaching Enhancement Grant ($5000.00), Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Toronto Scarborough
Project Title: “Technical Illustrations and Guided Learning Activities for First-Year Chemistry”
Co-investigators: Kris Kim, Marco Zimmer-De Iuliis
2019-2022
LEAF grant ($42,300.00), University of Toronto, Innovations in Undergraduate Education and Vice-Provost
Project Title: Academic Writing in First-Year Chemistry using Peer-to-Peer Feedback: Experiencing the Process of Research Article Submission
Co-investigators: Marco Zimmer-De Iuliis, Kris Kim, Ruby Sullan, and Oleksandr Voznyy
2019-2022
Dean’s Experiential Education Grant ($17, 1910.00), Principal Academic & Dean, University of Toronto Scarborough
Project Title: Science on-the-go: Learning to bring Science out of the box,
Experiential learning across a variety of disciplines
Co-investigators:
Aarthi Ashok – Biological Sciences, UTSC
Francisco Estrada – Computer and Mathematical Sciences (Comp. Sci.), UTSC
Zohreh Shahbazi – Computer and Mathematical Sciences (Mathematics), UTSC
Julie Witt – Integrated Learning Coordinator
2020 -2021
Teaching Enhancement Grant ($3000.00), Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Toronto Scarborough
Project Title: Development of Visual Schematics to Support Laboratory Technical Skills in First-Year Chemistry
Co-investigators:
Kris Kim, Marco Zimmer-De Iuliis
2018-2019
Teaching Enhancement Grant ($3009.00), Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Toronto Scarborough
Project Title: Development of First-Year Chemistry Peer-Peer Learning Online Question Bank