Christine Ambrosino received a teaching award from the UH Mānoa Graduate Student Organization (GSO) as part of their 2020 Merit Based Awards. A doctoral student in the College of Education (COE) Department of Curriculum Studies, she also holds a master’s degree in Zoology from UH Mānoa.

Since 2008, Ambrosino has been with the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) where she currently works in the Marine Science Research Learning Center (MSRLC). There, she conducts research and develops place-based marine science and research methodology curricula for high school through college students. She has also co-taught COE graduate students on Moku o Lo‘e, or Coconut Island.

“I was very honored to receive this award, and it is timely encouragement as I wrap up my dissertation work!” Ambrosino said. “Having been trained as a researcher in the natural sciences, my confidence as an educator and education researcher sometimes waivers. This award has added to the support I already receive from my students and colleagues at the MSRLC and the COE who inspire and challenge me to develop my identity as both a scientist and an educator.”

As a scientist-turned-educator, Ambrosino says she has learned the importance of recognizing students as complex beings who bring valuable experiences and knowledge of their own to the classroom. By developing culturally-relevant, experiential curricula, she hopes to better engage and empower underrepresented students in science and spread the message to other science educators and researchers.

“On behalf of the Curriculum Studies department, we are so proud of Christine’s accomplishments in teaching and doctoral research with the support of her mentors, Dr. Malia Rivera of HIMB and Dr. Margie Maaka,” said EDCS Chair Patricia Halagao.

The annual GSO Merit Based Awards promotes outstanding graduate student work at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, recognizing excellence in diversity, mentorship, research, service and outreach, and teaching. Each of the recipients receives $5,000.