Megan Neely, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, has been chosen to receive the 2017 Gordon G. Hammes Faculty Teaching Award. Dr. Neely is being honored for her continuing excellence in teaching and mentoring and for her exemplary commitment to the education of graduate students within the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. Dr. Neely has been an integral part of the Masters and PhD programs within the Department since their inception in 2012 and currently serves as the Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of Biostatistics Program. She also teaches in the Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) which is also housed in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics.
"I could not imagine my role as a faculty member without teaching and mentoring students. I feel a real sense of responsibility to help educate and promote the next generation of biostatisticians. In this way, faculty members can help ensure that their training and experience does not stop with them. This sense of service is the foundation for how I design my courses and how I administer the Master of Biostatistics program." Her students have expressed their admiration and gratitude in their comments at graduation and at the conclusion of each semester: “Megan is one of the best instructors I have had. She is organized, receptive, and generally a great teacher. She anticipated the ‘pitfalls’ that students can fall into and addresses them up front. She makes even dry topics interesting with her style of teaching. I looked forward to her class and learned a great deal.”
The award is named for Gordon G. Hammes, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and University Distinguished Professor, who served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs from 1991 through 1998. In view of his longstanding commitments to Duke University School of Medicine graduate students, and his contributions as a gifted teacher and mentor, the School of Medicine established this award in 2001 in his honor to recognize a Faculty member for continuing excellence in teaching and mentoring, and for exemplary commitment to the education of graduate students within Basic Science Departments and Graduate Training Programs of the School of Medicine.
Dr. Neely will be honored at the annual Spring Faculty Meeting on May 8, 2017 in the Great Hall of the Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Center for Health Education.
