Dr. Stan Floresco has been awarded the UBC Killam Teaching Prize for his excellence in teaching. Dr. Floresco is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and his research program is based at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

Dr. Floresco has always been passionate about teaching and instructs a 3rd year broad-based course on brain and behaviour, and an advanced 4th year course on drugs and behavioural neuroscience.

“I’m absolutely elated to receive this recognition, as teaching is something I really enjoy,” says Dr. Floresco. “Many of the topics I lecture on are related to important policy debates in our society such as sexual orientation, mental illness and drug use—issues that have touched many of my students personally. I strive to place these issues in a broader context, so the students can make informed decisions about social policies. To be acknowledged by my students and peers for doing something I find important (and fun) is a highlight of my career.”

Dr. Floresco is a basic scientist and his research focuses on neural circuits which facilitate different forms of cognition including learning, decision making, behavioural flexibility and executive functioning. He has received many awards and honours, including the Killam Faculty Research Award, American Psychological Association Award, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award, and the Robert E. Knox Master Teaching Award.

Congratulations to Dr. Floresco, who took to Twitter to celebrate!