Nirma A Samarawickrema Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia 2015

Nirma A Samarawickrema

DR NIRMA A SAMARAWICKREMA I am a senior lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. As an education focussed academic I have extensive experience in teaching first, second and third year undergraduates reading for the MBBS, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Bachelor of Science degrees. In addition to the delivery of lectures my expertise in teaching lies in small group teaching by engaging students in research processes and in inquiry-based learning. Specifically, I design and develop inquiry-oriented, blended learning activities in a flexible format for small groups, coordinate small group classes for all of the above degree programs and coordinate the development of practical class activities for the department. I play a major role in curriculum development and am currently leading a review of all Biochemistry skills ensuring alignment with AQF and TLOs of the Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In addition to my disciplinary research on Human paipillomavirus infections in cervical cancer my major research interest is in exploring connections between teaching-research and learning (within the MBBS / BBioMedSc / BSc / HSc degree programs) to enhance student learning and teacher effectiveness.