Chemistry Professor Receives Award for Excellence in Education

Trinity College Professor of Chemistry Michelle Kovarik has been named the recipient of the 2026 J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Analytical Chemistry.

The J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education is presented to an awardee who has “enhanc[ed] the personal and professional development of students in the study of analytical chemistry.” This national recognition typically includes a presentation by the awardee during a symposium at the ACS Fall National Meeting, which this year will be held in Chicago in August.

Kovarik is a co-director of Trinity College’s Center for Teaching and Learning and regularly collaborates with students in her lab. “At Trinity, I get to work closely with a small number of students each year, but through my involvement in communities of practice for analytical chemistry education, I work with many talented analytical chemistry educators, who in turn reach so many of their own students,” Kovarik said. “I’m honored to be recognized for this work and to stand alongside so many talented and dedicated past recipients of this award, many of whom I count as friends and mentors.”

Sarah A. Raskin, associate dean for faculty development and Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, said that Kovarik is tremendously deserving of this honor. “Michelle Kovarik represents the best model of the teacher-scholar, infusing thoughtful teaching practices into everything she does, including mentoring her research students,” Raskin said. “Her impact on Trinity students and education in her field is immeasurable.”

Kovarik was honored with the J. Calvin Giddings Award for her demonstrations of excellence in education throughout her career.

“My work in chemistry education has always been fueled by the desire to develop and implement innovative teaching methods for my students, but also to share these innovations with colleagues,” Kovarik said.

Kovarik has been part of the active learning team for the Analytical Sciences Digital Library (ASDL), with which she developed curricular materials and served as a workshop facilitator. In 2017, Kovarik received the Cottrell Scholar Award from Research Corporation for Science Advancement, which recognizes teacher-scholars.

Since starting her faculty position at Trinity, Kovarik has mentored 37 undergraduates and seven high school students. “Mentorship of undergraduate research has been some of my most impactful teaching,” said Kovarik. Her students have given more than 50 off-campus presentations. “To date, 17 Trinity students have co-authored publications, and we have published seven peer-reviewed papers on our laboratory work,” Kovarik said. “This work has been supported by over $600,000 in external funding, including two NSF RUI awards in addition to the Cottrell Scholar Award.”

Kovarik also is involved in international communities of practice. She is a co-founder of the Innovators in Analytical Chemistry Education webinar series, which is offered monthly via Zoom and highlights pedagogical efforts by analytical chemists around the world.

“My participation in faculty learning communities has enriched my career as an analytical chemistry educator and made me a better teacher and scholar,” Kovarik said. “I am always striving to share my work and connect with colleagues. To achieve this, I publish regularly on my scholarship of teaching and learning.”

Her publications related to education include 13 peer-reviewed publications, composed in collaboration with co-authors ranging from undergraduates to leaders in the field. In February 2023, the Journal of Chemical Education (JCE) released “100 Years of Teaching and Learning: Analytical Chemistry,” a virtual issue featuring 47 publications, three of which were co-authored by Kovarik.

In 2023, Kovarik’s work was recognized with the Centennial Teaching Award, a national award from Iota Sigma Pi, the honor society for women in chemistry.