Hello!
My name is Courtney Ngai. The g is silent, so Ngai is pronounced like "Nye" as in Bill Nye the Science Guy (the association is deliberate, as I think that guy is a total rockstar).
According to Clifton, my strengths include input and learning. This shows up in almost everything I do, from reading "just one more" article for a lit review to compiling lists of activities along with their reviews for my family's vacations. It also explains why interviews are one of my favorite forms of data collection, and why I am currently on a nonfiction streak reading about education.
If you spend time with me, you'll learn that I generally like to sit back and listen, but become passionately engaged in conversations about anything related to science and education. I also prefer tea over coffee (green, no sugar please) and am willing to try almost any outdoor activity at least once.
Skills
PHOTOSHOP
FLASH
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Work
experience
Job position. Click to edit
2010 - present
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me and you can start adding your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to write more. Tell a story about yourself.
Job position. Click to edit
2010 - present
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me and you can start adding your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to write more. Tell a story about yourself.
Job position. Click to edit
2010 - present
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me and you can start adding your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to write more. Tell a story about yourself.
Languages
HTML/CSS
PHP
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Education
Colorado State University
Postdoctoral Researcher
2017 - present
I am currently a researcher on the Departmental Action Team (DAT) Project. I am part of The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) at Colorado State University. At TILT, we are united in improving the experience for all students at CSU. We also believe in taking breaks to do team squats and push-ups in the main office, because self-care is important too!
University of Massachusetts Boston
Doctoral candidate
2012 - 2017
I completed my graduate work at University of Massachusetts Boston, in the chemistry department. I completed the course and exam requirements for the biological chemistry track, while my research was focused in chemistry and biochemistry education. During this time I collaborated with K-12 Boston Public School teachers to investigate chemical thinking and teaching practices in the classroom, with visiting scientists to explore active learning, and with undergraduate students on developing green chemistry labs. While primarily a qualitative researcher, I have had exposure to quantitative methods (such as item response theory).
University of Delaware
Student
2007 - 2011
I obtained a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of Delaware. During this time, I was exposed to different types of active learning (POGIL and PBL), which inspired me to pursue graduate work in chemistry education. I am forever grateful to the hard-working professors who dedicated time and energy (and snacks!) to making sure we received a quality education.