Teaching Activities

I contribute to teaching in the following modules:

First Year

Junior Honours

Senior Honours

Teaching-Related

Other teaching-related activities:

Administration

Teaching Resources

Download material for the StarLogo TNG practical described in presentations below from my Downloads Page

Publications

1st Year Practicals: Their Role in Developing Future Bioscientists
Adams D, Arkle S, Bevan R, Boachie-Ansah G, Bradshaw T, Cameron G, Campbell A-M, Chamberlain M, Gibson A, Gowers D, Hayes M, Heritage J, Hollingsworth M, Hooper H, Hudson K, Hughes I, Lindsey N, Meskin S, Park J, Podesta T, Rattray J, Scott G, Shearer MC, Smalley H, Smith VA, Smith D, Tierney A, Todd M, Verran J, Wakeford C, Wilbraham J, Wilson J (2008) HEA Centre for Bioscience Report.
The scientific method: teaching the how of science and not just the what
Shearer MC, Smith VA (2007) Centre for Bioscience Bulletin 21: 8.
(Note authorship correction in Centre for Bioscience Bulletin 22: 2)

Presentations

Biology students building computer simulations using StarLogo TNG, a graphical programming environment
Smith VA. Oral Presentation and Poster. Effective Learning the Biosciences, HEA Centre for Bioscience, University of Edinburgh, 30 June - 1 July 2011.
Using StarLogo, a graphics-based programming environment, to enable Biology students to build computer simulations
Smith VA. Swapshop Presentation. Workshop on Mathematical Challenges for Biologists, HEA Centre for Bioscience, University of Reading, 16 November 2010.
Inquiry-based learning in a first year biology laboratory class
Smith VA, Shearer MC. Invited Workshop: Developing the next generation of research scientists, HEA Centre for Bioscience, University of Leeds, 7-8 April 2008.

Grants

HEA Bioscience Effective Learning Conference Travel Award
Smith VA. SALTIRE Travel Award, 2011. Provided travel funds to attend and present at HEA Conference.
St Andrews University iGEM Team
Smith VA (Sponsor), Hooley C, Mitchell J, Shearer MC (Advisors), and Team. Wellcome Trust iGEM Student Stipend Award, 2011. Funds summer stipends for all five elligible St Andrews 2011 iGEM Team members.
St Andrews iGEM Team Funding
Smith VA, Hooley C, Mitchell J, Musolesi M, Shearer MC. SULSA Systems Biology iGEM Team Funding, 2011. Provided funding for St Andrews 2011 iGEM Team.
HEA Bioscience Mathematical Challenges for Biologists Meeting Travel Award
Smith VA. Academy Scotland Travel Award, 2010. Provided travel funds to attend and present at HEA Workshop.
A dynamic model of South American angiosperm biogeography during the early Cretaceous period
Smith VA, Milne R (Supervisors) and Latysheva N. SULSA Systems Biology Undergraduate Summer Studentship, 2010. Provided summer stipend and research funds for undergraduate project collaborative with R Milne at Edinburgh.
St Andrews iGEM Team Funding
Smith VA, Mitchell J, Hooley C. SULSA Systems Biology iGEM Team Funding, 2010. Provided further funding for St Andrews 2010 iGEM Team.
The SAINTS: Saint Andrews iGEM Neutralizes Threatening Staphylococcus
Smith VA (Sponsor), Hooley C, Mendivil O, Mitchell J, Verleyen W (Advisors), and Team. Wellcome Trust iGEM Student Stipend Award, 2010. Funds summer stipends for all seven elligible St Andrews 2010 iGEM Team members.
A St Andrews iGEM Team: Enhancing Student Research, Employability and Leadership Through Involvement in an International Synthetic Biology Competition
Smith VA, Bowles J, Mitchell J, Hooley C. SATIRE FILTA Award, 2009. Provided seed money for St Andrews' first iGEM Team.
Enhancing an inquiry-based laboratory practical: student creation of a new teaching strain of yeast
Smith VA. SALTIRE SELF Award, 2008. Funded a SH Research Project to enhance the laboratory pratical I run in BL1201 Molecular Biology.
Characterisation of single cell variation in protein expression of stress induced proteins in yeast
Smith VA (Supervisor) and Müller C. Nuffield Summer Bursary, 2007. Provided summer stipend for undergraduate project in my lab.
Inquiry-based learning in a first year biology laboratory class: engaging students in the process of science
Shearer MC, Smith VA. SALTIRE SELF Award, 2007. Funded creation of the laboratory practical I run in BL1201 Molecular Biology (now in BL1101 Biology I).