2020 UTHealth School of Public Health Faculty Awards

McGovern Award for Outstanding Teaching: Dr. Shreela Sharma

Dr. Shreela Sharma serves as a professor in the department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences and as a faculty member in the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living. “It is truly the students who inspire and energize me with their passion for public health. It is easy to teach and mentor when you have students like the ones we have who are thirsty for public health knowledge and practice. And of course, I am grateful for the support of my own colleagues, mentors and the school that provide me with the environment in which I can thrive.”

The John P. McGovern Award for Outstanding Teaching recognizes excellence in teaching based on knowledge of the subject; interest and enthusiasm for teaching; understanding of students; responsiveness to student questions and encouragement of independent thinking; and accessibility to students.

Emerson Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant: Dania Mofleh, MBBCh, MPH, CPH

Dania Mofleh, MBBCh, MPH, CPH is an epidemiology student pursuing her PhD and also serves as a graduate research assistant with the school. “This acknowledgment by students is inspirational. This award signifies a TA role in a student’s academic journey; relaying any knowledge I had, and seeing students’ progress has given me joy and has been my greatest motivation. Having a great mentor such as Dr. Shreela Sharma during my journey as a TA had its biggest impact, with her care for students, and determination for a student’s success in the field of epidemiology.”

The James Emerson Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant is given by the UTHealth School of Public Health Student Association and recognizes a teaching assistant who demonstrates knowledge of the subject and competency in the area of expertise; interest/enthusiasm for teaching; interest in an understanding of the students; responsiveness to student questions and encouragement of independent thinking; and accessibility to students.

Excellence in Academic Advising Award: Dr. Christine Markham

Dr. Christine Markham serves as professor and interim department chair for the department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences. “I’m grateful to our students for the nomination. We have outstanding students at UTHealth School of Public Health, which makes academic advising such a rewarding aspect of our job.”

The Excellence in Academic Advising award is given by UTHealth School of Public Health and the recipient is selected by students. This award recognizes an academic advisor who assists students with their educational goals and professional development; is readily available to advisees with a helpful attitude; provides career advice and assists with job placement; guides on practicum experience or research for students’ thesis/dissertation; demonstrates extensive knowledge of the academic program; and refers students to relevant resources and internal and external opportunities relative to the School.