SFU Science Announces Recipients of 2025 Excellence in Teaching Awards

November 24, 2025

SFU Faculty of Science is proud to announce this year's recipients of the 2025 Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching awards, a list that includes faculty members and graduate students.

FACULTY TEACHING AWARDS (Honorarium of $1000)

Agata Becalska
Biological Sciences

Dr. Becalska has introduced many thoughtful innovations into the Biological Sciences curriculum including incorporating a research project into BISC 101 and using alternative grading approaches in BISC 212. She coordinates the Teaching Matters seminar series and took on a leadership role with the SFU Artificial Intelligence Learning and Teaching Task Force.

Leanne Ramer
Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology

Dr. Ramer is being recognized for her ongoing work to promote a positive learning community at SFU. She has redeveloped multiple required courses in the Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology department and offers open study time in the anatomy lab. Through her work as a Faculty Teaching Fellow and collaborations with Indigenous BPK alumni and the Centre for Educational Excellence she challenges and deconstructs colonial thinking in science.

EARLY CAREER TEACHING AWARD (Honorarium of $1000)

Carla Pretorius
Chemistry

Dr. Pretorius has demonstrated a commitment to culturally responsive instruction, using course materials to make chemistry relevant to real-world challenges. She has created a peer mentorship program to support student success, and exercises leadership through her ongoing work as the Secretary of College Chemistry Canada (C3) and Co-chair of the 2025 C3 Conference hosted at SFU.

GRADUATE STUDENT TEACHING AWARDS (Honorarium of $500)

Olha Farion
Physics

Farion has made outstanding contributions as a physics teaching assistant and sessional instructor to help improve student understanding in classes and tutorials. She uses active learning techniques and assessment of students’ prior knowledge to tailor her instructional approach. She has developed innovative math workshops to help improve the quantitative skills of students enrolled in PHYS 100.

Jared Lim
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

In his role as a teaching assistant Lim has shown an exceptional ability to engage students, both intellectually and personally, and through his dedication to accessibility. He has shown positive leadership within the TA team, and encourages curiosity-driven exploration in undergraduate students through mentorship and offering lab tours.

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