Chemistry professor impresses students with dedication, commitment
It isn’t uncommon for Chemistry professor Cristina DeMeo to answer a late text message from a student asking about class lessons.
Dr. Cristina DeMeo, spending time with graduate Chemistry students, is the 2016 Recipient of the Paul Simon Award. The Award is given annually to outstanding professors. (Photo by Joseph Lacdan)
It’s not unheard of to see the professor spending a Sunday helping students with classwork. And despite the large numbers of students who attend her undergraduate courses, DeMeo spends countless hours, mentoring, tutoring or advising her undergrad and master’s students.
It is that dedication and selflessness that helped earn DeMeo the 2016 Paul Simon Award in January. The award is given annually to professors who are top researchers and teachers.
First year grad student Melanie Shadrick recalls during one of her classes when DeMeo attended to students during one of her off days.
“She came in and did problems on the board,” Shadrick said. “It was just something that I’ve never had a teacher do before. She takes extra time to come in on a day she doesn’t work. She has a family. She has two kids.”
Shadrick said that DeMeo encouraged Shadrick to pursue a Master’s degree in Chemistry because it would help advance her career as a medical professional. In addition to advising students about their academic pursuits, DeMeo said she has an open door policy and welcomes students who are seeking academic help.
The professor said she gets the most satisfaction when a former student returns to let her know that her efforts helped a student advance in their career or in their academic pursuits.
“It’s wonderful to receive an award,” DeMeo said. “But the job is more worthwhile when I realized that my students are successful. … Seeing the success of the students, that is what makes me really happy and makes me feel like my job is well done.”
DeMeo said if students are struggling, she will give the students a moment to collect their thoughts and answer.
“Dr. DeMeo definitely pushed me to challenge myself and do grad school,” Shadrick said. “And she felt it was more versatile if my degree was in biology and got my master’s in chemistry and she definitely helped me a lot to help get me in.”
Filed Under: Chemistry
