Two nominated for System teaching recognition

In addition to the Distinguished Teaching Awards presented by UW–Madison each year, the UW System also recognizes classroom excellence by way of its Alliant Energy Underkofler Teaching Awards. This year, David L. Nelson, professor of biochemistry, and Michael J. Smith, Robert Ratner Professor of Industrial Engineering, are candidates from the Madison campus.

Nominated by the UW–Madison Undergraduate Biochemistry Student Organization, which he helped establish in 2000, Nelson enjoys a reputation for backing up his theory with action. For example, he has given voice to his support of racial and ethnic diversity by spending two semesters teaching at the historically African-American Spelman College in Atlanta. When UW–Madison students asked Nelson for help in finding funding for a health and nutrition studies program in Uganda earlier this year, he contacted several possible funding sources to assist them. The students have now returned from Africa, where they were able to conduct research.

Those students may have become interested in research by working in Nelson’s research lab, which is comprised entirely of undergraduates. Together, he and the students have made significant contributions to the study of unicellular organisms by writing papers, collaborating with other researchers, training new undergraduate “recruits” in advanced experimental techniques, and, in short, learning the skills needed to become scientific leaders.

Nelson recently has assumed the directorship of the UW–Madison Center for Biology Education. Dedicated to developing and coordinating a variety of activities aimed at improving the teaching of biology to students in K-12 through graduate school, he is the author of highly regarded biochemistry textbooks. An expert in unicellular organisms, Nelson received his Ph.D. from Stanford Medical School and his B.S. from St. Olaf College. He has been a member of the UW–Madison faculty for 32 years.

Often teaching squarely in the intersection between engineering and social science, Smith includes and frequently emphasizes human values and ethical considerations along with theories, models and facts. An expert on ergonomics, Smith makes sure that his courses deal with the design of systems and products to better respond to human needs. In his nearly 19 years of teaching in the UW–Madison College of Engineering, he has observed that students learn best by “visualizing” concepts, and he gives them ample opportunities to do so in his classes. A self-described “wanderer,” he ventures into the aisles of even his largest lectures to talk with students about the ideas he presents. In addition, he uses videotaped visual examples drawn from his own work with industry, research or Web sites to reinforce his points.

In addition, Smith has been instrumental in developing laboratory facilities in his department. During the first of two stints as department chair, he pulled together plans for two undergraduate teaching labs that could provide hands-on experience for students in all of the required introductory courses. Construction of four new teaching labs for eCommerce, financial engineering, teamwork and human factors will begin next summer.

Smith earned his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. at UW–Madison.

The UW System will announce the Alliant Energy Underkofler Awards winners later in this spring. The recipients will be honored at a ceremony and reception this fall.