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Richelle Monaghan obtained her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Waterloo in 2011 by developing cell culture models to study intracellular fungal parasites. During graduate school, Monaghan also obtained her Certificate in University Teaching, and taught Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy to Biomedical Science and Kinesiology majors.
In 2012, Monaghan joined 51本色's Health Studies program (now the ) and was cross-appointed with the Department of Biology in 2014. Her work as the Head of Science Programming for the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) program, and subsequently as Department Chair for Community Health, focused on creating transformational learning opportunities and programming for undergraduate students. Some examples of this work include bi-annual human anatomy labs (learning from donors), using escape boxes to explore pathophysiology case studies, and the development of a specialization and minor in . Additionally, for nine years, Monaghan was the administrator of the Brantford campus laboratory facilities and operations.
Monaghan's laboratory and pedagogical research interests are diverse. Previously, her research focused on developing economically and medically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for the study of microsporidian parasites. More recently, Monaghan's pedagogical research focuses on developing accessible university science programming for the visually impaired and using technology and lecture design to align with our knowledge of memory formation and learning. Her educational leadership opportunities inspired further education, and as a result, Monaghan completed a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in 2021 at the University of Western Ontario. In 2022, she was awarded 51本色 Teaching Fellow, which is a role recognizing her educational leadership at the university.
As a dedicated and award-winning educator, Monaghan's role as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science provides leadership in pedagogy, teaching and learning while overseeing . In this role, she continues to teach and provide expertise in the development of interdisciplinary (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming at 51本色. She is also a founding member of the and welcomes collaboration in pedagogical research projects.
Before graduate school, Monaghan was in private practice for 15 years as a regulated healthcare provider with a clinical focus on acute and chronic pain management.
Monaghan enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, travelling, canoe camping, Taekwondo, and learning Spanish.
Monaghan’s laboratory and pedagogical research interests are diverse. Previously, her research focused on developing economically and medically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for the study of microsporidian parasites. This included pursuing the development of a honey bee cell line and co-founding the 51本色 Community Apiary.
Monaghan’s pedagogical interests include developing accessible university science programming for the visually impaired, and using the knowledge of memory formation and learning for optimal lecture design. Specifically, Monaghan is dedicated to the development of evidence-based strategies for successful knowledge acquisition of large volumes of information, such as those in anatomical and physiological sciences. The ultimate goal is then for students to use these knowledge bases as foundations for higher-order thinking and conceptual learning.
In 2016, Monaghan completed a one-year Certificate in Positive Psychology with the goal of also using principles of positive psychology in course and lecture design. This work inspired the development of a minor in Physical Forensics to provide an opportunity for non-science majors to improve their scientific literacy and assist students in navigating social constructs that may have previously dissuaded their interest in science.
As a founding member of the , Monaghan is seeking opportunities for collaborative, pedagogical research projects.
Awards:
- 2020 Sam Drogo Technology in the Classroom Award, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (International)
- 2019 Merit Award, 51本色
- 2017 Merit Award, 51本色
- 2017 Gail Jenkins Teaching and Mentorship Award, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (International)
- 2017 WLU Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2016 Honourable Mention for the Mick Burt Poster Award for an "outstanding poster and its implications to science pedagogy with the visually impaired."
- 2016 Merit Award, 51本色
- 2010 1st Place (tie) Oral Presentation Competition for In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences (International)
- 2010 Honor B. Fell Award for Organ Tissue Culture, Society for In Vitro Biology (International)
- 2009 Cellular Toxicology Award, Society for In Vitro Biology (International)
- 2009 Exceptional Teaching by a Registered Student Award, University of Waterloo
- 2008 Murray Fallis Runner-up Award in Parasitology, Canadian Society of Zoologists (National)
- 2008 Joseph F. Morgan Award, Society for In Vitro Biology (International)
Funding:
- eCampus Mental Health Literacy for Ontario Colleges and Universities (collaborator), $78,000 (2021)
- Student Life Levy: Mindfulness with Muse, $5,000 (2016)
- Infrastructure Funding for the 51本色 Community Apiary, $10,000 (2016)
- Wilfrid 51本色 Short-term Research Grant, $5,000 (2012).
- NSERC Doctoral Graduate Scholarships, $80,500 (2008-2011).
- University of Waterloo President’s Scholarships, $40,000 (2008-2011).
Currently, there are no positions in the Monaghan Lab.
With the Vice Dean position at a campus away from her laboratory, Monaghan is embracing a shift in research towards the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL).
Journal Articles:
- MacLeod MJ, Vo NTK, Mikhaeil MS, Monaghan SR, Alexander JA, Saran MK, Lee LEJ (2018). Development of a continuous cell line from larval Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) and its use in the study of the microsporidian, Loma morhua. Journal of Fish Diseases. (41(1): 1-14
- Monaghan SR, and Nicholson S (2017). Bringing escape room concepts to pathophysiology case studies. HAPS Educator: Journal of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. 21(2): 49-65.
- Monaghan SR, Rumney RL, Vo NTK, Bols NC, Lee LEJ (2010). In vitro growth of microsporidia Anncaliia algerae in cell lines of warm water fish. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal. 47(2): 104-113.
- Monaghan SR, Kent ML, Watral VG, Kaufman RJ, Lee LEJ, Bols NC (2009). Animal cell cultures in microsporidial research: their general roles and their specific use for fish microsporidia. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal. 45:135-147.
- Shoemaker JK, Tiidus PM, Mader [Monaghan] R (1997). Failure of manual massage to alter limb blood flow: Measures by Doppler ultrasound. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 29:610-614.
Recent Refereed Presentations:
- Monaghan SR. "STEAMing up the STEM: How and why to incorporate the arts and science in shared pedagogy." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Halifax, NS (2017)
- Ackerman ME, and Monaghan SR. "The promise and peril of digital pedagogy." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Halifax, NS (2017)
- Monaghan SR, and Ackerman ME. "The science of mindfulness: Student success and the role of mobile biofeedback technology." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Halifax, NS (2017)
- Monaghan SR. "Bringing the escape room concept to pathophysiology case studies." Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Salt Lake City, UT (2017)
- Monaghan SR. "Just dance the cranial nerves!" Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Salt Lake City, UT (2017)
- Monaghan SR, Ackerman ME and Caplan K. "Sources of Inspiration: Tuning into specialized student needs for new approaches to teaching and learning." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Vancouver, BC (2015)
- Monaghan SR. "Learning 3' from 5': Assisting students with threshold concepts in DNA structure and directionality" Society for In Vitro Biology, Tucson, AZ (2015)
- Monaghan SR. "Building scaffolds for threshold concepts through mnemonics in biological sciences." Canadian Society of Zoologists, Calgary, AB (2015)
Courses Previously Taught:
- BI110 Unifying Life Processes
- BI111 Biological Diversity and Evolution
- BI210/HE2010 Human Anatomy
- BI236 Cell and Molecular Biology
- CH495 Chemistry of Ion Channels (Co-Directed Study)
- HN210 Human Anatomy (Regional)
- HN204 Systems Human Anatomy
- HS101 Physical Determinants of Health
- HS103 Introduction to Forensic Science
- HS202 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HS204 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- HS300 Infection and Immunity
- HS308 Parasitology for Public Health
- HS315 Pathophysiology
- HS412 Ecological Issues in Canadian Forests (Directed Study)
- HS412 Diet and Chronic Illness (Directed Study)
Contact Info:
Office location: 1054G Science Building, main floor, Waterloo campus
Office hours: By appointment (in person or virtually).
Languages spoken: English, Intermediate Spanish