Burjor Captain, associate professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the Faculty Senate 2022–23 Outstanding Teaching Award, Undergraduate Teaching, for his devotion to his students’ development and success.
Passionate about education, Captain shares that his research motivates him to be a better teacher by allowing him to bring wonder into the classroom. “There is nothing more important than giving confidence to an individual faced with a difficult subject,” explained Captain. “The primary object of an educator should be to foster not only mastery of the subject, but belief in oneself—one’s ability to learn and to solve.”
Whether a student is headed to graduate school, medical school, or interviewing for their first job out of college, Captain said that he believes an educator’s job carries the same responsibility. “The educator must be respectful of students, straightforward about their shortcomings, and compassionate of their needs,” said Captain. “This produces a very healthy teacher-student relationship.” He encourages educators to be personable and to always keep the office doors wide open.
“From a required 100-level course to an upper-division and graduate course, Dr. Captain’s love for teaching is evident,” said Maria Stampino, dean of undergraduate affairs. “He has the ability to impact and engage students in a variety of fields.”
“During the 16 years I served as chair of the department of chemistry,” said Roger Leblanc, professor of chemistry, “I received countless outstanding student evaluations from Burjor’s students and additional student support letters regarding his excellence in teaching.”
Serving as an alternate member of the Faculty Senate since 2014, Captain has represented the College of Arts and Sciences, and currently also serves on the General Welfare Committee.
A University of Miami faculty member since 2007, Captain has made fundamental discoveries in synthesis, catalysis, and structural chemistry; researched the structural basis of small molecule activation; introduced the link between Platonic solids and three dimensional geometry in entry level chemistry courses; and successfully empowered more than 1,000 students to explore the foundational role of chemistry in understanding and shaping the world.
Presented by the University’s Faculty Senate, the Outstanding Teaching Award for Undergraduate Teaching recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in teaching at the University for at least a decade.
The 2022–23 Faculty Senate Awards Ceremony will be held in person on Tuesday, April 11, at 5 p.m. Learn more about the awards ceremony.
This profile is part of a 2022–23 Faculty Senate Awards series recognizing all awardees.
