Integrative biology’s Isabelle H. Barrette-Ng has been awarded the 2024 Faculty of Science Roger Thibert Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions towards engaging students and educational leadership.

Since joining the Faculty of Science as head of integrative biology in 2020, Dr. Barrette-Ng has excelled as an educator. A highlight being bringing the SAGES program to the University of Windsor. Designed for graduate students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), the program combines a theory course as well as a teaching practicum.

“It was a great honour and privilege to be recognized through the Roger Thibert Teaching Excellence Award and to join an amazing group of awardees who have all made positive contributions to teaching and learning in the Faculty of Science at UWindsor,” says Barrette-Ng.

“Professor Thibert’s dedication to teaching and learning provides lasting inspiration for the great community of scholars, educators and learners, who co-create rich and meaningful teaching and learning experiences throughout the Faculty of Science.”

Since its inception in 2011, the Roger Thibert Teaching Excellence Award has recognized the stellar quality of teaching in the Faculty of Science, as well as commemorating its namesake.

Eighteen recipients have received the award in the past 13 years.

Named in honour of the late Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry professor Roger Thibert, the award is presented to science faculty who develop a positive, learning-centred environment.

During his time a UWindsor from 1957 until 1994, Thibert is credited with establishing the graduate program in clinical chemistry, the only pre-doctoral program of its kind in Canada at the time. He is also credited with the development of the chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate and graduate programs that exist today.

Thibert has received numerous awards in recognition of his teaching excellence. Among them are the University of Windsor Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching, the University Alumni Award of Merit, the Education Excellence Award of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists, and the SmithKline Clinical Laboratories of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry Award for Outstanding Efforts in Education and Training.

In 2003 he received the Alumni Excellence in Mentoring award in recognition of his continued commitment to his students well after graduation. Thibert died on May 30, 2024.

“Dr. Thibert served as a tremendous leader in his field and a great educator and mentor to many students and faculty”, says Dora Cavallo-Medved, interim dean of science and a previous recipient of the Roger Thibert award.

“Through this award, we continue to recognize Dr. Thibert’s contributions to teaching and mentorship each year. We are honoured to preserve his legacy through this award and to celebrate our excellent faculty recipients.”

Thibert’s son, Robert Thibert, recalls his father’s dedication to his students and the University.

“He treasured his students as though they were part of his own family. He treated them with respect and admiration for their own accomplishments. His nurturing methods of teaching were never overbearing, and he enjoyed standing back and watching his students succeed while providing the necessary input for them to do so.”

Even in his own experiences, Robert remembers his father wanting him to learn how to solve problems on his own.

“I was never one of his chemistry students, but I was one of his life students, which gave me the same drive and dedication in my career and life as he had in his. Congratulations to all of the winners of the Roger J. Thibert Teaching Excellence Award past, present, and future. You are being chosen because you have that same indescribable drive to help others.”

Award recipients receive a $2,000 research grant, a certificate, and are highlighted at the Annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning as well as the Faculty of Science’s annual awards reception.