Paul Licht Fellows

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The Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry was established in honor and loving memory of Paul Licht, father of Judith S. Ditchek and father-in-law of Brian M. Ditchek. Paul Licht was an undergraduate student in Chemistry before going into active military service to serve his country. While his military service and later family responsibilities  prevented him from finishing his degree, Mr. Licht always valued the importance of education. Faculty who supervise undergraduate TAs select five (per year) sophomore, junior or senior students (in a College of Arts and Sciences major), who are given $1000 each in recognition of their excellence and merit. They serve as teaching fellows in the following courses: CHE General Chemistry I-II (CHE 129-132 ), Molecular Sciences I-III (CHE 152-332), Organic Chemistry I-II (CHE 321-322), and organic chemistry or molecular sciences laboratory (CHE 327,383,384). 

2020-2021

The Fellows in AY 20-21 are: 

Kimberly Ferrufino was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of her outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the general chemistry lecture sequence.  Her supervisor noted Kimberly as a lively, engaging, conscientious teaching assistant who demonstrates command of General Chemistry but most importantly patience with fellow students to meet them where they are at in the material.

 

 

Elizabeth Gambino was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of her outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the organic chemistry lecture sequence.  Her supervisor noted Elizabeth has an outgoing personality that makes her very approachable for students. She dedicated extra time to help our students. She served as an undergraduate TA for CHE321 and 322 in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021; summer session TA for CHE321 and 322; and was head TA in Fall 2021.

 

 

Iqra Ishrat was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of her outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the general chemistry lecture sequence.  Her supervisor noted Iqra to be a great TA who was always helping and giving advice to the class. She also gave review documents for upcoming exams.  She served as  a TA for CHE 131 and CHE 132 since last summer and throughout the 2020-2021 academic year. 

 

 

Crystal Kraemer was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of her outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the organic chemistry lecture and laboratory sequence.  Her supervisor noted Crystal as one of the most hard working and enthusiastic student that I met. She is always willing to go above and beyond and put in extra time to help with the course and her students in class.  She served in CHE 327 and was one of the selected TAs during summer 2021.

 

 

Briana Wong was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of her outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the molecular science sequence.  Her supervisor noted Briana to be by far one of the most helpful TAs he has worked with. She would take charge of the lab and made sure students were learning, being safe and enjoying themselves. She has a great sense of humor but knows when to take things seriously. It was a pleasure to have Briana as a TA for CHE 154.

2017-2018

The Fellows in AY 17-18 are: 

Thomas Farquharson was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of his outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the organic chemistry lecture sequence.  His supervisor noted Thomas’s invaluable services as a head undergraduate TA, and the enormous effort he made to help students and TAs improve their understanding of organic chemistry.

 

 

 

Kyle McLaughlin was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of his outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the organic chemistry lab course. His supervisor noted his enthusiasm in sharing his knowledge of chemistry and lab experience with other students; his ability to take the lead; and the excellent example he set for other undergraduate TAs.

 

 

 

Shreya Patel was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of her outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the general chemistry lecture courses. Her supervisor noted the value of Shreya’s encouragement of and advice to students taking any of the three general chemistry courses offered. It was also noted that the students who attend Shreya’s sessions in the Chemistry Learning Center benefit from her in-depth knowledge of the basic principles of general chemistry and her ability to explain them in a thought-provoking and understandable manner. Her patient and caring attitude was also greatly appreciated by the students.

 

Kevin Tan was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of his outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the molecular science sequence. His supervisor cited Kevin’s invaluable service as a head undergraduate TA, and the fact that he dedicated extra hours towards helping students. Kevin also demonstrated great leadership as a mentor to the undergraduate teaching staff.

 

 

Adrian Thompson was selected to receive a Paul Licht Teaching Award in Chemistry because of his outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in the general chemistry lecture courses. His supervisor noted Thomas’s exemplary enthusiasm, his commitment to his students, and his efforts to develop his students’ problem-solving skills in the course Problem Solving in Chemistry (CHE 130).

 

2016-2017

The Fellows in AY 16-17 are: 

Princess Spencer is awarded the 2017 Paul Licht Fellow for your outstanding energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to your students in the course Problem Solving in Chemistry (CHE 130) in Fall 2016. 

 

 

 

Jose Hernandez is awarded the 2017 Paul Licht Fellow by the chemistry faculty who faculty who supervise undergraduate teaching assistants, because of your outstanding energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to your students in the course Problem Solving in Chemistry (CHE 130) in Fall 2016.

 

 

 

Ava Gurba is selected for the award by chemistry faculty who supervise undergraduate teaching assistants, because of her outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant in organic chemistry I (CHE 321), namely, her effective teaching skills, and the enormous amount of extra hours she dedicated towards helping students. She will be a Licht Teaching Fellow in CHE 322 this spring.

 

 

Brody Hooper started teaching Organic Chemistry Laboratory, CHE 327, in the spring of 2016, and turned out to be an excellent TA with effective teaching skills, impeccable work ethic, as well as enthusiasm in reaching out to the students.  This fall he takes on the big challenge of launching the very first ELN (electronic lab notebook) system at Stony Brook University.  In the lab room, Brody approaches each ELN user in his sections and guides them through the whole process meeting their individual needs.  Brody also monitors the students' activities on ELN outside of the lab.

Jamshid Sarwari taught CHE 130 Problem Solving in General Chemistry in the fall of 2016. He was selected for his outstanding energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to his students. Without any prompting, and going well beyond his assigned duties, he developed review materials, submitted these for evaluation to Prof. Simmerling, organized review sessions that included several of his fellow CHE 130 instructors, and ran these for the CHE 129 General Chemistry IA midterm exams. He was supervised by Dr. Wolfskill but will serve under Dr. Zachary Katsamanis during his fellowship. 

2015-2016

The inaugural Fellows in AY 15-16 are: 

Tenging Lama has been teaching organic chemistry laboratory (CHE 327) since Fall 2014, and was selected because he has demonstrated all qualities of an outstanding TA: effective and efficient communication skills, enthusiastic participation in all the teaching activities, strong academic background and excellent work ethic.  He is supervised by Dr. Rong Chen.

 

 

Joshua Hombrebueno was selected for his outstanding abilities as an undergraduate teaching assistant in organic chemistry I (CHE 321), namely, his effective and efficient communication skills, his generous and incredible effort in both mega and mini review sessions, his enthusiastic participation in all teaching activities, his strong organic chemistry background and his flawless work ethic.  He is supervised by Dr.  Zachary Katsamanis.

 

 

Omar Naimi was selected for his outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant in molecular science II and III (CHE 331 and CHE 332), namely, his effective and efficient communication skills, his generous and incredible effort in review sessions,  his enthusiastic participation in all teaching activities,  his strong organic chemistry background and  his perfect work ethic.  He is supervised by Dr. Zachary Katsamanis.

 

 

Kevin Bom was selected for his  outstanding qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant in general chemistry in the Chemistry Learning Center, working with students who are taking the general chemistry lecture courses CHE 129, CHE 131, and CHE 132.  All those who come to him for assistance gain a better understanding of the course material, and therefore have more confidence in their ability to achieve.  He has selflessly continued to work in the Center, even though he is no longer receiving academic credit towards graduation.  He is supervised by Dr. Bradford Tooker.

 

Janki Patel was selected for her exceptional qualities as an undergraduate teaching assistant in general chemistry, namely, her in-depth knowledge of the principles of chemistry and her ability to explain them in a manner that is both clear and instructive. Her patient and caring manner when assisting students who found the material especially challenging was greatly appreciated by them.  She was supervised by Dr. Bradford Tooker. She is now working as an undergraduate teaching assistant in an organic chemistry lecture course with Dr. Zachary Katsamanis.