May 27, 2022
A graduate student in the Department of Chemistry, Ian Bongalonta, has been a winner of the 2022 Wayne C. Booth Prize for Excellence in Teaching, awarded annually to graduate students for outstanding instruction of undergraduates.
Students and faculty in the College nominated the recipients for the prize, which was established in 1991 in honor of Booth, PhD’50, the late UChicago faculty member who was one of the 20th century’s most influential literary critics.
Additionally, three graduate students have been awarded the Physical Sciences Teaching Prizes for 2021-22: Sandrine Legault, Colin Lynch, and Sarah Litwin of the Department of Chemistry.
The Teaching Prize is based on nominations from students who shared compelling evidence of honorees’ outstanding contributions made to their education. Excellence in teaching is a fundamental goal of the University of Chicago and these nominees stood out for the quality and success of their efforts. Each will receive $1,000 as part of the award.
Learn more about this year’s prize recipients below:
Ian Bongalonta
Ian Bongalonta is a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry where he conducts quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics research with Professor Gregory Voth. From Autumn 2021 to Spring 2022, Bongalonta has taught three quarters of Honors General Chemistry.
Sandrine Legault
Sandrine Legault is a first-year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry. She conducts chemical biology research focused on the evolution of protein-protein interaction inhibitors, in the Dickinson Group. From Autumn 2021 to Spring 2022, Legault taught three quarters of Comprehensive General Chemistry.
Sarah Litwin
Photo and bio forthcoming.
Colin Lynch
Colin Lynch is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry, studying organic reaction methodology in the Levin Group. Lynch served as a teaching assistant for Comprehensive General Chemistry from Autumn 2020 – Spring 2021.