David Parkin
(Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry)

A brief overview of your background, area of expertise, research and teaching.
I have traveled extensively most of my life, since my father was in the Navy and keep going since my University days. I have two professional interests, primarily the education of science majors and enzyme characterization from medically relevant parasites or bacteria. I have over 15 years University Teaching experience with 3 years focused research as a Senior African Research Fulbright Fellow Kenya looking at African Sleeping Sickness. Most recently I taught at the University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, where I initiated the use of small groups to assist first year students learn important professional transferable skills and the discipline of biochemistry.

A good summary of my teaching philosophy is:
I illuminate and you see
I clarify and you hear
I understand and you learn
I look and see you change

What do you feel strongly about in regards to teaching or your specialization?
I am a student-centered teacher. My goal in education is to provide a learning environment where students can choose to become Self-Directed Critical Thinkers. Since I am a fellow learner, my classrooms are just a learning environment for both me and my students. I might have more "chemistry" knowledge, but my students offer me their unique experiences and their excitement of learning. I teach first year students, and I try to keep the fires of the excitement of learning burning bright instead of quenching them with the burden of "learning everything".

Why did you come to Adelphi?
I choose to come to Adelphi University because it was time to return to the USA-- having lived abroad since 1994. The school is in a new phase and I love being a creator and I feel that my creativity will be empowered. I do rock boats if I feel there is a need, and I defend my students and their rights to have positive learning environments. Adelphi is a very brave school whose people have the ability to rise above serious problems. I feel the words of William Wallace when facing a battle with the English are very appropriate "all men die, it's how you live that will matter to the world". I missed the students in the USA, for they still have the ability to dream, something most of the people I have been associated with abroad have seem to have lost. I need to be with visionaries and university students have that, the ability to dream. My students are great, like all the students I have ever taught.