News 2023: College of Engineering announces inaugural Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

PhD candidate Merin Bosco '24 is the award's first recipient

Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology PhD candidate Merin Bosco (Chennai, India) is the inaugural winner of the College of Engineering Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. This award recognizes the important work that graduate students do and their role in supporting student success. Bosco's nominators noted her effective technical communication skills and exceptional commitment to helping undergraduate students.  

"Students appreciated her teaching in an inclusive environment, particularly her emotional support in difficult times," says Jean VanderGheynst, dean of the College of Engineering.  "Merin held numerous study sessions after the labs and helped students to prepare for exams and lab assessments. Her guidance made the labs meaningful, impactful, and easier to complete. She also encouraged students to think critically and discover their full potential." 

Bosco's own research focuses on cancer therapy. Her experience as a graduate student teacher has informed her future career goals. "I love teaching and working with students, so I am planning on pursuing an academic research path that will allow me to do both research and help foster student learning," she said. 

Bosco has served as a graduate student teacher at UMassD since Fall 2020; she assists with BNG411 in the fall semester and teaches BNG161 in the spring and provides guidance to engineering capstone students. She also serves on the UMassD Graduate Student Senate.  

"I love teaching and working with students, so I am planning on pursuing an academic research path that will allow me to do both research and help foster student learning."