We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Richelle Monaghan is a passionate educator, scientist and leader whose career blends cutting-edge research with transformative teaching. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Waterloo in 2011, where she developed innovative cell culture models to study intracellular fungal parasites. During her graduate studies, she also completed a Certificate in University Teaching and taught human anatomy and advanced neuroanatomy to biomedical science and kinesiology majors.
In 2012, Monaghan joined the Department of Health Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, later receiving a cross-appointment in the Department of Biology. Her work as the Head of Science Programming for the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) program, and subsequently as Department Chair, focused on creating engaging and impactful learning experiences for undergraduates - ranging from bi-annual human anatomy labs with human donors, to interactive escape-box simulations for clinical case studies, to launching a new specialization and minor in Physical Forensics. For nearly a decade, she also oversaw laboratory operations on Laurier's Brantford campus.
Monaghan's research interests span both laboratory and pedagogical domains. Her early scientific work focused on developing medically and economically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for studying microsporidian parasites. More recently, her pedagogical scholarship explores how technology, accessibility, and cognitive science can inform university-level science education. She has developed programming for students with visual impairments and designs lectures grounded in principles of memory and learning.
These experiences led her to pursue a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Western University, completed in 2021. In recognition of her contributions to teaching and learning, educational leadership and innovation, she was named a Laurier Teaching Fellow in 2022 and received Canada's highest teaching honour with a 3M National Teaching Fellowship in 2024.
Today, Monaghan serves as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, where she champions interdisciplinary innovation, promotes institutional partnerships in science, leads Science's Academic Advising Office, and supports faculty in in curriculum development and teaching excellence. She continues to teach and remains active in educational leadership as a founding member of the Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE), and welcomes collaborations in pedagogical research.
Before entering academia, Monaghan spent 15 years as a regulated healthcare professional specializing in acute and chronic pain management. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family, creating anatomical art, canoe camping, Taekwondo, travelling and learning Spanish.
Monaghan’s laboratory and pedagogical research interests are diverse. Previously, her research focused on developing economically and medically relevant cell lines and developing in vitro models for the study of microsporidian parasites. This included pursuing the development of a honey bee cell line and co-founding the Laurier Community Apiary.
Monaghan’s pedagogical interests include developing accessible university science programming for the visually impaired, and using the knowledge of memory formation and learning for optimal lecture design. Specifically, Monaghan is dedicated to the development of evidence-based strategies for successful knowledge acquisition of large volumes of information, such as those in anatomical and physiological sciences. The ultimate goal is then for students to use these knowledge bases as foundations for higher-order thinking and conceptual learning.
In 2016, Monaghan completed a one-year Certificate in Positive Psychology with the goal of also using principles of positive psychology in course and lecture design. This work inspired the development of a minor in Physical Forensics to provide an opportunity for non-science majors to improve their scientific literacy and assist students in navigating social constructs that may have previously dissuaded their interest in science.
As a founding member of the Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE), Monaghan is seeking opportunities for collaborative, pedagogical research projects.
Awards:
- 2023 3M National Teaching Fellow, Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
- 2020 Sam Drogo Technology in the Classroom Award, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (International)
- 2019 Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University
- 2017 Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University
- 2017 Gail Jenkins Teaching and Mentorship Award, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (International)
- 2017 WLU Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2016 Honourable Mention for the Mick Burt Poster Award for an "outstanding poster and its implications to science pedagogy with the visually impaired."
- 2016 Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University
- 2010 1st Place (tie) Oral Presentation Competition for In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences (International)
- 2010 Honor B. Fell Award for Organ Tissue Culture, Society for In Vitro Biology (International)
- 2009 Cellular Toxicology Award, Society for In Vitro Biology (International)
- 2009 Exceptional Teaching by a Registered Student Award, University of Waterloo
- 2008 Murray Fallis Runner-up Award in Parasitology, Canadian Society of Zoologists (National)
- 2008 Joseph F. Morgan Award, Society for In Vitro Biology (International)
Funding:
- eCampus Mental Health Literacy for Ontario Colleges and Universities (collaborator), $78,000 (2021)
- Student Life Levy: Mindfulness with Muse, $5,000 (2016)
- Infrastructure Funding for the Laurier Community Apiary, $10,000 (2016)
- Wilfrid Laurier Short-term Research Grant, $5,000 (2012).
- NSERC Doctoral Graduate Scholarships, $80,500 (2008-2011).
- University of Waterloo President’s Scholarships, $40,000 (2008-2011).
Currently, there are no positions in the Monaghan Lab.
With the Vice Dean position at a campus away from her laboratory, Monaghan is embracing a shift in research towards the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL).
Journal Articles:
- MacLeod MJ, Vo NTK, Mikhaeil MS, Monaghan SR, Alexander JA, Saran MK, Lee LEJ (2018). Development of a continuous cell line from larval Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) and its use in the study of the microsporidian, Loma morhua. Journal of Fish Diseases. (41(1): 1-14
- Monaghan SR, and Nicholson S (2017). Bringing escape room concepts to pathophysiology case studies. HAPS Educator: Journal of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. 21(2): 49-65.
- Monaghan SR, Rumney RL, Vo NTK, Bols NC, Lee LEJ (2010). In vitro growth of microsporidia Anncaliia algerae in cell lines of warm water fish. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal. 47(2): 104-113.
- Monaghan SR, Kent ML, Watral VG, Kaufman RJ, Lee LEJ, Bols NC (2009). Animal cell cultures in microsporidial research: their general roles and their specific use for fish microsporidia. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal. 45:135-147.
- Shoemaker JK, Tiidus PM, Mader [Monaghan] R (1997). Failure of manual massage to alter limb blood flow: Measures by Doppler ultrasound. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 29:610-614.
Recent Refereed Presentations:
- Monaghan SR. "STEAMing up the STEM: How and why to incorporate the arts and science in shared pedagogy." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Halifax, NS (2017)
- Ackerman ME, and Monaghan SR. "The promise and peril of digital pedagogy." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Halifax, NS (2017)
- Monaghan SR, and Ackerman ME. "The science of mindfulness: Student success and the role of mobile biofeedback technology." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Halifax, NS (2017)
- Monaghan SR. "Bringing the escape room concept to pathophysiology case studies." Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Salt Lake City, UT (2017)
- Monaghan SR. "Just dance the cranial nerves!" Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, Salt Lake City, UT (2017)
- Monaghan SR, Ackerman ME and Caplan K. "Sources of Inspiration: Tuning into specialized student needs for new approaches to teaching and learning." Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Vancouver, BC (2015)
- Monaghan SR. "Learning 3' from 5': Assisting students with threshold concepts in DNA structure and directionality" Society for In Vitro Biology, Tucson, AZ (2015)
- Monaghan SR. "Building scaffolds for threshold concepts through mnemonics in biological sciences." Canadian Society of Zoologists, Calgary, AB (2015)
Courses Previously Taught:
- BI110 Unifying Life Processes
- BI111 Biological Diversity and Evolution
- BI210/HE2010 Human Anatomy
- BI236 Cell and Molecular Biology
- CH495 Chemistry of Ion Channels (Co-Directed Study)
- HN210 Human Anatomy (Regional)
- HN204 Systems Human Anatomy
- HS101 Physical Determinants of Health
- HS103 Introduction to Forensic Science
- HS202 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HS204 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- HS300 Infection and Immunity
- HS308 Parasitology for Public Health
- HS315 Pathophysiology
- HS412 Ecological Issues in Canadian Forests (Directed Study)
- HS412 Diet and Chronic Illness (Directed Study)
- Richelle Monaghan: Educating the next generation of Ontario's healthcare leaders
- Introducing the 2024 3M National Teaching Fellowship Award Winners: Meet the university and college educators sho, through leadership and dedication to teaching, are making a difference
- Laurier professor Richelle Monaghan receives prestigious 3M National Teaching Fellowship
- Laurier science professor receives international teaching and mentoring award
Contact Info:
Office location: 1054G Science Building, main floor, Waterloo campus
Office hours: By appointment (in person or virtually).
Languages spoken: English, Intermediate Spanish