Kristen Johnson

Excellence in Teaching, 2023

Life Sciences, Manchester Campus

Kristen Johnson teaches at all levels of the biology and biotechnology programs at UNH Manchester, where her interactions with both undergraduate and graduate students are critical to the breadth of her contribution to the college. She genuinely trusts that the underpinning of a robust education is cultivated by deep student engagement.

Her pedagogical methods challenge students to think critically, applying what they are learning to practical problems in biotech research and industry. In lectures, she implements active learning modules and project-based learning to achieve these goals.=

In her laboratory courses, Johnson provides course-based research experiences for students to develop and undertake novel studies to understand how to ask questions, design experiments, gather and analyze data, and, most importantly, manage adversity in research.

Students echo her investment, enthusiasm, and support for their scientific work: “Dr. Johnson was an amazing instructor. She explained the material in class very well. She always came to class enthusiastic about the material she was going to cover that day,” one student said. Another added, “Group-based discussions were awesome; this really helps students who have anxiety talking in front of a whole class. Problem-based learning was also good in bringing out the ingenuity in students.” And a third noted, “Dr. Johnson made me see the potential in myself! Going into this course, I was challenged and encouraged to think outside of the box. She reinvigorated my drive to be a scientist.”