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Associate Professor of Chemistry
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Christina Cooley hails from Conway, Arkansas, where she attended Hendrix College before going on to obtain a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University. Now here at Trinity, she hopes to inspire generations of students to learn organic chemistry and chemical biology while researching solutions to critical problems in human health and disease. Whether she is giving a lecture on Organic Chemistry, working in her lab, or advising students, Cooley's genuine passion and near ubiquitous exuberance is practically tangible. To learn more about Cooley and her teaching philosophy, we asked her a few questions.
Christina Cooley hails from Conway, Arkansas, where she attended Hendrix College before going on to obtain a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University. Now here at Trinity, she hopes to inspire generations of students to learn organic chemistry and chemical biology while researching solutions to critical problems in human health and disease. Whether she is giving a lecture on Organic Chemistry, working in her lab, or advising students, Cooley's genuine passion and near ubiquitous exuberance is practically tangible. To learn more about Cooley and her teaching philosophy, we asked her a few questions.
What do you appreciate about teaching at Trinity and working with the students and resources we have here?
What do you appreciate about teaching at Trinity and working with the students and resources we have here?
Teaching at Trinity is honestly my dream job. I love working with bright, motivated and engaged students every day. Trinity's unique combination of high teaching and research expectations challenges me to become the best teacher-scholar that I can be.
What do you think is the most important aspect of the first day of the semester?
What do you think is the most important aspect of the first day of the semester?
My goal on the first day of the semester is to get the students excited about my course, to engage with the material, and see value in learning the subject. For example, on the first day of Organic Chemistry, I give a presentation about the discovery and development of the anticancer drug Taxol, weaving concepts that the students will learn during the semester to show how basic organic chemistry knowledge is applicable to medicine, health and the world beyond Trinity.
How do you work to encourage students to engage in critical thinking skills in your classes?
How do you work to encourage students to engage in critical thinking skills in your classes?
Organic Chemistry is all about problem solving, so we try to do as much problem solving practice as we can during class. I pause at various points during the lecture to put up a problem and encourage the students to engage with their neighbors. This helps them build critical thinking skills during class and establishes a model for how I think they should study outside of class as well.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had told you when you first started teaching?
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had told you when you first started teaching?
Relax, and let your love for your subject and care for the students shine through. You will make mistakes and won’t do everything right, but if you keep growing and learning right alongside your students, you can become the teacher you want to be.
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