Randy King, the Harry C. McKenzie Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School, has been awarded the American Association of Medical Colleges Excellence in Teaching award for his involvement and innovation in the laboratory, in the classroom and across the curriculum at HMS.
“He views teaching as a profound privilege rather than an obligation and looks forward to developing innovations in both the classroom and the laboratory,” said Jeffrey S. Flier, dean of HMS.
King was integral to a major curriculum redesign of the four-year MD program at HMS. His theory is that students learn better when the material is developmentally appropriate.
King is leading the design and implementation of an interdisciplinary first-year introductory course called “Foundations,” which integrates fundamentals of cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, anatomy, genetics, immunology, pathology and microbiology.
“He is the gold standard against which we compare all other course directors,” said one of his students.
“He is an accomplished researcher, and I’m amazed by how he is able to direct this course as though it is his only task,” said another.
In recognition of his contributions, students have nominated him six times for the HMS Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching. King was awarded the prize in 2005.
