Biochemistry professor, Dr. Ute Kothe, has made outstanding contributions to teaching at the University of Lethbridge and beyond and has been named the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Teaching Award.
In a relatively short period of time at the U of L, Kothe has built an impressive record of teaching excellence. She excels at motivating students in her biochemistry classes and is routinely rated highly in student evaluations. She demands a lot from her students, but is supportive, encouraging and strives to make her classrooms an engaging, interactive experience.
“I love teaching because it allows me to make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth, University students and colleagues,” says Kothe. “I aim to convey much more than just science expertise to my students.”
Her state-of-the-art research laboratory provides many students with exceptional opportunities beyond the classroom. She fosters a culture of independence, ownership and positive attitude in her research group, allowing students to learn and grow according to their own style and pace. A dedicated professor, she routinely supervises an impressive roster of undergraduate and graduate students.
Kothe is well-respected for her commitment to mentoring. In 2011, she won the Alberta Women’s Science Network Minerva Mentoring Award, nominated by several of her own students. She also mentors youth in her research group even before they begin studies at the University. She received the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Synapse Mentorship Award in 2012. Her dedication to the University and to all students is undeniable.
Kothe has been involved with the Teaching Centre since her arrival to the U of L, and was appointed a Teaching Fellow in 2011. She co-developed the first campus-wide Instructional Skills Workshop, and is one of the few professors on campus who facilitate Instructional Skills Workshops for new and continuing faculty members.
She is one of the founding members of the U of L’s Let’s Talk Science program, which promotes science education to students Grades 8 to 12. This outreach program is operated by undergraduate and graduate science students, and delivers hands-on instruction through high quality, impactful science experiments. Let’s Talk Science is a huge success, reaching thousands of students, providing an excellent resource for southern Alberta teachers, and enhancing the professional skills of the undergraduate and graduate students who volunteer for the program.