Laura Pavelka

Since joining McGill University in 2012, Dr Laura Pavelka, has been instrumental in developing student-centered pedagogical models in Organic and General Chemistry classes. She is an engaging, enthusiastic, and dedicated lecturer, and has consistently received excellent teaching evaluations. In 2017, Dr. Pavelka was awarded the Principal’s Prize for Excellence in Teaching at McGill, a highly prestigious and selective award given to educators who have demonstrated excellent teaching capabilities and ability to motivate students.

Dr. Pavelka has had a powerful effect on undergraduate teaching in the Chemistry department at McGill having taught approximately 10,000 students to date. She constantly adapts the course content, lecture material, and learning resources in-line with the students’ needs and latest technological developments. As a committed member of the pedagogical community, she works closely with other educators at McGill in the AAU STEM project to determine and implement the most effective teaching strategies for large enrolment freshmen classes. As a member of the SALTISE S4 chemistry group, she is working with multiple other local educators to improve myDALITE, an open source web-based platform for enhancing student learning.

Over her career, she significantly improved the quality of our general chemistry and introductory organic chemistry courses by updating course material, modernizing lab procedures, improving coordination and flow between courses, setting up interdepartmental resources for our students, and providing additional support for “at risk” students.

In addition, Dr. Pavelka acted as local section chair for the Montreal branch of the Chemical Institute of Canada from 2014-present bringing together chemists and chemical engineers within the greater Montreal area.