DR. STEPHANIE MACQUARRIE
Organic Chemistry Professor
Stephanie obtained her BSc from Mount Allison University in the year 2000. She continued to pursue chemistry in graduate school at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where she earned her PhD under the supervision of Professor Paul Carlier in organic chemistry in 2005. In 2005 she accepted a post-doctoral position in Professor Cathleen Crudden’s group at Queen’s University. In 2009 Stephanie started at Cape Breton University as Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry. She is now Full Professor of Organic Chemistry, Associate Dean of Science and Technology, and runs a National Science and Engineering Research Council funded research program with mainly undergraduate students. Stephanie enjoys many avenues of service, but her personal focus is Science outreach and promotion, particularly for under-represented groups.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Actively Pursue Science
My teaching philosophy boils down to teaching is the best way to learn. Therefore, I teach my students to teach each other how to solve problems, relate chemistry to their world and make it fun.
I exercise my role as a Chemistry teacher in various capacities including in the classroom, in the community and in the research lab and I attempt to emphasize this overlap whenever possible. One way to do this is to encourage interest in Chemistry early on in education. When students are able to understand exactly WHY chemistry is important they become more interested in learning the finer details of HOW it works. I am very active in encouraging interest and public awareness of chemistry ranging from preschool age children to undergraduate level and beyond.
