2007:  Psychologist Meera Komarraju (right).  Core Curriculum winners must demonstrate excellence in a specific area, such as innovative course design, thoughtful assessment strategies, effective communication skills or the ability to bring the curriculum’s goals to life.  Komarraju began her teaching career at SIUC in 1986 as a lecturer in both the psychology and management departments, becoming an assistant professor of psychology in 2005.  She has a bachelor’s degree, three master’s degrees and doctorate from Osmania University in India and a second doctorate earned in 1987 from the University of Cincinnati.

2006: Microbiologist Jack Parker, dean of the College of Science. Parker, who has no required teaching assignments, teaches the core course in human genetics and human health, a course he designed from scratch for students with no background in science. Along with a teaching partner, he has taught this course, which focuses on the principles and complexities of human genetics, both fall and spring semesters since autumn 1996.

The course provides basic background information and an overview of the latest changes in genetic testing, forensic genetics, biotechnology and treatments for genetic diseases.
Parker earned his bachelor’s degree in 1967 from North Central College in Naperville. He earned his doctorate in 1973 from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

2005: Stephen D. Ebbs, an associate professor of plant biology. Ebbs teaches a basic plant biology course that draws some 240 non-majors each term to lectures that include everything from popular “science fiction” film and TV clips to governmental Web sites to specially produced color animations of complex biological processes.

Ebbs earned his bachelor’s degree in 1990 from McKendree College in Lebanon and master’s and doctoral degrees in 1995 and 1997 respectively from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.