CITL - Elvira Eivazova: Undergraduate Research

Meet Your 2025 High Impact Practices (HIPs) Ambassadors

A high impact practice is a pedagogical approach which requires an investment of time and energy over an extended period that has unusually positive effects on student engagement in educationally purposeful behavior (Kuh, 2010). High impact practices are evidence-based teaching and learning practices that have been widely tested and shown to be beneficial for college students (Kuh, 2008).

Characteristics of high-impact activities include: setting appropriately high expectations of students; interaction with faculty and peers about substantive matters; experiences with diversity; frequent feedback; reflection and integrative learning; real-world applications; and demonstrated competence.

Meet Your 2025 HIP Ambassadors:

Elvira Eivazova from Columbia State Community College

Name: Elvira Eivazova

Institution: Columbia State Community College

Email: eeivazova@columbiastate.edu

Office Number: 931-540-2693

Degrees earned and institution(s): : I received my M.S. in Physiology and Biochemistry from Moscow State University, and my Ph.D. in Biology/Microbial Immunology from the Academy of Medicine. I trained at the University of London in England, UK, after which I joined Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

How long have you worked at your institution? I have worked at my institution now for nine years, where I am an Associate Professor of Biology.

What is your teaching/research focus area(s)? I teach Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Undergraduate Biology Research and Honors Biology courses. My focus area of research is bacteriophage biology and genomics.

What do you appreciate most about the HIP(s) that you have infused into the courses you teach?

The Research HIP that I have infused into my Biology Research project-based courses is a fantastic tool for learning science and elevating student success. What I appreciate the most is that I can be a part of the incredible achievements of my students.

Elvira Eivazova is your HIP Ambassador for Undergraduate Research

Minimum Definition of Practice-

Undergraduate research is an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student in collaboration with a faculty member that makes a unique intellectual, scholarly, or creative contribution to the discipline, and for which the student receives academic credit either through a course or independent study. The student's contribution may be part of a new or ongoing faculty research project (adapted from CUR).

More information here (scroll down and click on to expand the topic.)

Getting Started with HIPs

A high impact practice is a pedagogical approach which requires an investment of time and energy over an extended period that has unusually positive effects on student engagement in educationally purposeful behavior (Kuh, 2010). High impact practices are evidence-based teaching and learning practices that have been widely tested and shown to be beneficial for college students (Kuh, 2008). Characteristics of high-impact activities include: setting appropriately high expectations of students; interaction with faculty and peers about substantive matters; experiences with diversity; frequent feedback; reflection and integrative learning; real-world applications; and demonstrated competence.

Want to learn more?

You can request that Dr. Heidi Leming come and present at your campus for in-service or other even.
View "Work Smarter, Not Harder: Simplifying HIPs" presentation (47 minutes)
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