New Perspectives in Science Education

Priya Shah is an Associate Professor in Residence of chemistry at the University of Connecticut’s Hartford campus, where she teaches general and organic chemistry and focuses her work on inclusive, student-centered instruction. She holds BS and MS degrees in organic chemistry from India and a PhD in chemistry from UConn, where her experience as a teaching assistant inspired her to pursue a teaching-focused academic career. At UConn Hartford, where roughly half of students are first-generation, she actively implements high-impact teaching practices such as service learning and student poster presentations to engage a diverse population of learners. She participates in professional development programs including the Teaching Professor Online Conference and the NSF-supported Inclusive STEM Teaching Project MOOC, which aims to help STEM educators cultivate more inclusive learning environments. Her service includes UConn Senate and AAUP representation, campus committees on faculty standards, mentoring, and academic integrity, and regional leadership through the American Chemical Society Connecticut Valley Section.