Choo honored by President Esch

Dr. Robin Choo, assistant professor of biology at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service during Honors Convocation earlier this month.

In addition to her teaching duties, Choo is the director of the forensic science program, which she has lifted from a fledgling program into a high quality, engaging and growing study area.

“Dr. Choo is seemingly everywhere on campus, and everything she touches improves,” said Richard T. Esch, president of Pitt-Bradford, who presented the award. “She has championed the forensic science major and made it one of the most popular on campus; engages area children in summer forensic science camp and leads the faculty as president of faculty senate.”

Choo was nominated by Dr. Mary Mulcahy, associate professor of biology, who cited Choo’s leadership and teaching.

“Students love learning with Dr. Choo, as is evidenced by the growing forensic science enrollment and her high teaching evaluations,” said Mulcahy, who is also the director of the biology program. “She’s energetic in the classroom and regularly enhances her classes with hands-on activities, guest lectures from experts and student-driven active learning.”

In building up the forensic science program, Choo has revised and developed the program’s curricula, creating new courses such as a dedicated forensic science capstone course for seniors. 

Because of her work applying for internal funds from Pitt-Bradford, students in the forensic science program now have more access to chromatographs, spectrometers, microscopes and other research equipment.

As far as scholarship goes, Choo is an accomplished scholar who has published at least 14 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. Her research has focused on analytical toxicology methods and maternal-fetal drug exposure.

“Her experience in research has helped her be a phenomenal mentor of her students,” Mulcahy said.

Choo came to Pitt-Bradford in 2020 from the university’s Titusville campus. She earned her Ph.D. in forensic toxicology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and holds a Master of Science in Law from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Mary Baldwin College.

Earlier recipients of the President’s Award include Dr. Matt Kropf, associate professor of engineering technology; Dr. Jonathan Chitiyo, associate professor and director of teacher education; and the late Dr. Yong-Zhuo Chen, professor of mathematics.

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