Richelle Monaghan, Wilfrid Laurier University
Professor Vice Dean, Faculty of Science; Laurier Teaching Fellow Waterloo, Ontario rmonaghan@wlu.ca
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Bio/Research
Richelle Monaghan obtained her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Waterloo in 2011 by developing cell culture models to study intracellular fungal parasites. During graduate school, Monaghan also obtained her Certificate in University Teaching, and taught Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy to Biom...
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Bio/Research
Richelle Monaghan obtained her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Waterloo in 2011 by developing cell culture models to study intracellular fungal parasites. During graduate school, Monaghan also obtained her Certificate in University Teaching, and taught Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy to Biomedical Science and Kinesiology majors.
In 2012, Monaghan joined Laurier's Health Studies program (now the Department of Health Studies) and was cross-appointed with the Department of Biology in 2014. Her work as the Head of Science Programming for the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) program, and subsequently as Department Chair for Community Health, focused on creating transformational learning opportunities and programming for undergraduate students. Some examples of this work include bi-annual human anatomy labs (learning from donors), using escape boxes to explore pathophysiology case studies, and the development of a specialization and minor in Physical Forensics. Additionally, for nine years, Monaghan was the administrator of the Brantford campus laboratory facilities and operations.
Monaghan's laboratory and pedagogical research interests are diverse. Previously, her research focused on developing economically and medically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for the study of microsporidian parasites. More recently, Monaghan's pedagogical research focuses on developing accessible university science programming for the visually impaired and using technology and lecture design to align with our knowledge of memory formation and learning. Her educational leadership opportunities inspired further education, and as a result, Monaghan completed a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in 2021 at the University of Western Ontario. In 2022, she was awarded Laurier Teaching Fellow, which is a role recognizing her educational leadership at the university.
As a dedicated and award-winning educator, Monaghan's role as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science provides leadership in pedagogy, teaching and learning while overseeing Science's Academic Advising Office. In this role, she continues to teach and provide expertise in the development of interdisciplinary (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming at Laurier. She is also a founding member of the Centre of Leading Research in Education (CLRiE) and welcomes collaboration in pedagogical research projects.
Before graduate school, Monaghan was in private practice for 15 years as a regulated healthcare provider with a clinical focus on acute and chronic pain management.
Monaghan enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, travelling, canoe camping, Taekwondo, and learning Spanish.
Monaghan’s laboratory and pedagogical research interests are diverse. Previously, her research focused on developing economically and medically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for the study of microsporidian parasites. This included pursuing the development of a honey bee cell line and co-founding the Laurier Community Apiary.
Monaghan’s pedagogical interests include developing accessible university science programming for the visually impaired, and using the knowledge of memory formation and learning for optimal lecture design. Specifically, Monaghan is dedicated to the development of evidence-based strategies for successful knowledge acquisition of large volumes of information, such as those in anatomical and physiological sciences. The ultimate goal is then for students to use these knowledge bases as foundations for higher-order thinking and conceptual learning.
In 2016, Monaghan completed a one-year Certificate in Positive Psychology with the goal of also using principles of positive psychology in course and lecture design. This work inspired the development of a minor in Physical Forensics to provide an opportunity for non-science majors to improve their scientific literacy and assist students in navigating social constructs that may have previously dissuaded their interest in science.
As a founding member of the Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE), Monaghan is seeking opportunities for collaborative, pedagogical research projects.
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In 2012, Monaghan joined Laurier's Health Studies program (now the Department of Health Studies) and was cross-appointed with the Department of Biology in 2014. Her work as the Head of Science Programming for the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) program, and subsequently as Department Chair for Community Health, focused on creating transformational learning opportunities and programming for undergraduate students. Some examples of this work include bi-annual human anatomy labs (learning from donors), using escape boxes to explore pathophysiology case studies, and the development of a specialization and minor in Physical Forensics. Additionally, for nine years, Monaghan was the administrator of the Brantford campus laboratory facilities and operations.
Monaghan's laboratory and pedagogical research interests are diverse. Previously, her research focused on developing economically and medically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for the study of microsporidian parasites. More recently, Monaghan's pedagogical research focuses on developing accessible university science programming for the visually impaired and using technology and lecture design to align with our knowledge of memory formation and learning. Her educational leadership opportunities inspired further education, and as a result, Monaghan completed a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in 2021 at the University of Western Ontario. In 2022, she was awarded Laurier Teaching Fellow, which is a role recognizing her educational leadership at the university.
As a dedicated and award-winning educator, Monaghan's role as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science provides leadership in pedagogy, teaching and learning while overseeing Science's Academic Advising Office. In this role, she continues to teach and provide expertise in the development of interdisciplinary (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming at Laurier. She is also a founding member of the Centre of Leading Research in Education (CLRiE) and welcomes collaboration in pedagogical research projects.
Before graduate school, Monaghan was in private practice for 15 years as a regulated healthcare provider with a clinical focus on acute and chronic pain management.
Monaghan enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, travelling, canoe camping, Taekwondo, and learning Spanish.
Monaghan’s laboratory and pedagogical research interests are diverse. Previously, her research focused on developing economically and medically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for the study of microsporidian parasites. This included pursuing the development of a honey bee cell line and co-founding the Laurier Community Apiary.
Monaghan’s pedagogical interests include developing accessible university science programming for the visually impaired, and using the knowledge of memory formation and learning for optimal lecture design. Specifically, Monaghan is dedicated to the development of evidence-based strategies for successful knowledge acquisition of large volumes of information, such as those in anatomical and physiological sciences. The ultimate goal is then for students to use these knowledge bases as foundations for higher-order thinking and conceptual learning.
In 2016, Monaghan completed a one-year Certificate in Positive Psychology with the goal of also using principles of positive psychology in course and lecture design. This work inspired the development of a minor in Physical Forensics to provide an opportunity for non-science majors to improve their scientific literacy and assist students in navigating social constructs that may have previously dissuaded their interest in science.
As a founding member of the Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE), Monaghan is seeking opportunities for collaborative, pedagogical research projects.
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