Dr. Kathy Darvesh, Professor in the Chemistry and Physics Department at Mount Saint Vincent University, has been named Canada’s top chemistry educator at the post-secondary level for 2016 by College Chemistry Canada (or C3). At last week’s College Chemistry Canada conference in Saskatoon, Dr. Darvesh was presented with the C3 Award in Chemical Education. 
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to university/college-level chemical education, celebrating educators who are “enhancing the quality of teaching in an area of chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical technology.” It is presented by College Chemistry Canada, a national organization “dedicated to the promotion of the teaching of chemistry primarily at the college and university level.”
“Students gain enormously from her experience and knowledge and, perhaps above all, her ability to transmit that knowledge. Students love Dr. Darvesh!”
“I find the C3 conference to be a great forum for exchanging ideas about how to improve our Chemistry teaching, and the members of C3 are particularly helpful and supportive. I was deeply touched and thrilled to be presented with this award at the conference banquet,” said Dr. Darvesh. “I also consider myself to be very lucky to work at the Mount, where time spent on creative teaching with a goal of providing high quality learning opportunities is valued and supported.”
Beloved professor and valued colleague
“Dr. Darvesh has a long history of exceptional teaching performance and a long list of previous accolades as an educator, mentor, and supervisor,” noted Dr. Cherif Matta, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at the Mount.
“She has contributed to the overall excellence of chemical education and to the fine tuning of our chemistry curricula at the Mount during her two terms as Department Chair. Students gain enormously from her experience and knowledge and, perhaps above all, her ability to transmit that knowledge. Students love Dr. Darvesh!” said Dr. Matta.
“I was deeply touched and thrilled to be presented with this award at the conference banquet. I also consider myself to be very lucky to work at the Mount.“
— Dr. Kathy Darvesh, Professor of Chemistry
Another of her many achievements is her role in establishing the degree of Science Communication at the Mount – a first in the country. She has also spearheaded efforts to organize student conferences and events for colleagues that focus on teaching and education. As well, her research has appeared in publications specializing in chemical education and pedagogy.
“Dr. Darvesh’s award is also a national testimonial of the excellence of the chemical education program at the Mount,” added Dr. Matta.
Dr. Darvesh holds a BSc and PhD from the University of New Brunswick. Her research interests include quantum chemistry, structure-activity relationships and chemical education.