A Ph.D. Candidate in Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, Ololade Gbadebo is the ATL’s Graduate Student Spotlight for November 2024.

What course(s) do you or have you taught at URI?

BPS 451: Techniques in Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular Biology

What are the three qualities that make for a great teacher?

• Life-long learning: A teacher should never stop learning. Knowledge and technology are advancing daily, and it is important to stay abreast of them so that the information provided to students is not outdated.
• Flexibility: There is a Nigerian saying that “not just one road leads to the market square”. Rigidity in teaching techniques only robs learners of creativity and voice. A great teacher must be able to adapt to different teaching environments, which include the learners, technology, other faculty, etc.
• Passion: It is easy to identify a teacher who is passionate about their job versus one who only sees it as a source of livelihood. A passionate teacher will go to any length to ensure that students are not just whiling away time in their class. Passion is what brings the “extra,” and it’s that “extra” that makes a big difference.

Who is a teaching mentor, and what did you learn from them?

My teaching mentor is Dr. David Rowley. One thing I have learned from him is not to teach the same course twice in the same way. Just as teachers have expected teaching outcomes, students may have different learning expectations. It is necessary to tailor the content of the class to the needs of the students, which may change with each new group of learners.

What do you hope students look back in ten years and say about your classes?

I hope they say that they gained clarity on their career in my class. Moreover, I hope they say that I fueled their desire to continue their career in science and excel at it.

How do you envision incorporating teaching into your future career?

Teaching is already an integral part of my future career in academia. I will be teaching students the usual coursework while also mentoring my future mentees in my laboratory.

What is your favorite place to visit in Rhode Island? Why? 

I like visiting the beach, and thankfully, Rhode Island is blessed with several of them. Apart from the beautiful scenery of the horizon resting on the surface of the water, studies have shown that connecting with nature improves mental health. I love nature.

What do you do for fun? 

I make Christian music with my guitar.