Focus on the Faculty: Paula Lemons

Associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology Paula Lemons uses findings from her research on science education to design curricula for her classes and tailor her interactions with students to enhance their learning outcomes:

What are your favorite courses and why?

My favorite course is “Introductory Biochemistry” (BCMB 3100). I started teaching BCMB 3100 a few years ago, and moving to this course allowed me to prioritize changing some of the strategies I use in class as well as the way I assess student learning on exams. Also, I love BCMB 3100 students. They like science and plan to pursue careers in engineering, health care or research. They are mature learners and have developed the savvy to adapt their study strategies based on a professor’s requirements. Finally, they are highly motivated and, when given the chance, they show that they like to learn for the sake of learning. These characteristics match my teaching style well.

What interests you about your field?

I am a biology education researcher, which means I use social scientific methods to investigate the teaching and learning of biology. There are two things that most interest me about my field of research. First, my research focuses on learning among undergraduates, and I often read literature about the developmental aspects of learning from little children to older adults. Although it is common for people to think that learning should be quick and easy, the literature and my research reveals that learning is difficult and lifelong. I never cease to be intrigued by the learning process. Second, I most often use qualitative methods in my research, and these methods are meant to provide researchers with deep, contextualized perspectives of the people or phenomena under investigation. I love the hunt to understand the subtleties and details that influence college education.

With apologies to the other schools and colleges at UGA, and as a former Franklin College dean told me a few years ago, we get the best people. Engaged scholar, inspiring teacher, involved member of the community, Dr. Lemons is the complete package. Great feature on one of our best.