The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry welcomes forward-thinking chemical educator Dr. Patrick Wilson, who joined the UCLA faculty as an Assistant Teaching Professor on July 1, 2025.
“We are pleased to welcome Patrick Wilson to the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry,” said Dean of Physical Sciences and Chemistry Professor Miguel Garcia-Garibay. “His vision for fostering an environment where students can observe chemical principles in action in the community will contribute to our objective of expanding the interest of students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in scientific careers.”
Wilson received his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Following graduation, he gained professional experience across multiple hospital systems in the Midwest and along the East Coast, where he obtained his histotechnologist license (HTL). He subsequently served as an instructor at Sentara RMH School of Histotechnology, where he was responsible for training future histology professionals. Wilson then received his master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry and Ph.D. in Chemical Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Working there with Professor Melissa Weinrich, his dissertation examined the educational benefit of incorporating examples pertaining to climate change into chemical education.
After that, Wilson obtained postdoctoral training at the STEM Education Innovation & Research Institute at Indiana University Indianapolis in Chemical Education. As a postdoc, Wilson was involved in assessing the impact of Indiana University’s efforts to incorporate evidence-based methods into scientific instruction. This included looking at the effect of a pedagogical technique called cyber peer led team learning on the development of critical thinking skills.
“Patrick’s obvious enthusiasm for research in both chemistry and chemical education greatly impressed the search committee,” said Search Committee Chair Professor Albert Courey. “These combined passions will serve him well in his efforts to convey the excitement of modern scientific research to UCLA undergraduates.”
Wilson’s passion for teaching and lifelong learning stems from growing up in a family of educators. At UCLA, the goal of his research program will be to develop pedagogical tools that integrate ethical inquiry as a practice of care in chemical education into undergraduate curricula. The Wilson research group will aim to foster moral and intellectual development in undergraduate students during their formative academic years, encouraging them to apply their scientific expertise in service of the public good. By assessing student understanding and application of ethical principles, Wilson aims to create an inclusive and proactive learning environment that promotes student belonging and supports the development of responsible, innovative scientists.
“My teaching philosophy has been strongly influenced through my training as both as a chemist, medical professional, and educator,” Wilson said. “I am strongly dedicated to providing my students with a real-world connection to the importance of their chemical education and how their skills developed in my classes can help them achieve their goals beyond chemistry. It is also important to me that students are supported in their learning and capable of building connections that make them lifelong learners.”
By Kelsea Valerio, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, kvalerio@ucla.edu
