Four Univ fellows have been recognised by the Medical Sciences Division in the 2025 Teaching Excellence Awards.

The Teaching Excellence Awards scheme recognises and rewards excellence in teaching, supervision, the organisation and development of teaching, and support for teaching and learning, within a research-intensive environment.

Professor Catherine Pears

Professor Catherine Pears, who was the Old Members’ Tutorial Fellow in Biochemistry and Associate Professor of Biochemistry retired from the College in 2024 and is now an Emeritus Fellow. She received a Career Achievement Award in in recognition of her exceptional contribution to Biochemistry teaching, research and scholarship at Oxford both at a University and College level. The awards also took into account her mentorship of undergraduates and excellent teaching quality, and in acknowledgement of her ground-breaking contributions and continued commitment to EDI.

A senior academic said: “Colleagues have shared with me their admiration for her breadth and depth of knowledge, commitment, warmth, selflessness, wisdom, generosity, and her ability to engage students with the passion she feels for her subject. It has always been obvious that Catherine cares deeply about excellent teaching and support for students, and about the development of our undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as supporting colleagues more widely. Throughout her career and the many responsibilities she has willingly taken on, Catherine has been an important role model for all of us.” [Senior Academic]

A student said: “She not only nurtured my ability to think critically and encouraged me to approach scientific questions from multiple perspectives, but also exemplified, through her own conduct, the quiet strength and dignity of a true educator.”

Professor Trevor Sharp

Professor Trevor Sharp, Radcliffe Medical Tutorial Fellow in Neuroscience and Professor of Neuropharmacology, also received a Career Achievement Award for his sustained commitment to educational excellence, combined with his leadership, exceptional student outcomes, generous collegial support and international impact.

Senior academics said:
“Trevor’s career represents the gold standard of sustained educational excellence, transformative leadership, and unwavering commitment to student development.”

“To me and many others, Trevor is more than a teacher or mentor—he is a role model. His example of integrity, dedication, and quiet excellence inspires my own work and approach to academic life.”

Professor Nick Yeung

Professor Nick Yeung, Sir Jules Thorn Tutorial Fellow in Psychology and Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, received an Excellent Teacher Award. Professor Yeung teaches Univ undergraduates in Experimental Psychology; Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL); and Biomedical Sciences. He delivers tutorials to first year students in these degrees as part of their introductory Psychology and Behaviour courses, and sees second and third year students if they choose the options he teaches on cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Professor Yeung also supervises a number of postgraduate students and is currently the Director of Graduate Studies, overseeing the postgraduate research degree programmes.

Dr Peter McHugh

Dr Peter McHugh, Supernumerary Fellow in Biochemistry, Professor of Molecular Oncology and Deputy Director in Molecular Oncology at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, was recognised with an Excellent Supervisor Award. Dr McHugh’s main teaching commitment involves the supervision of graduate students performing research. He also delivers lectures to undergraduate and graduates within the Medical Sciences and Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Divisions. At Univ he provides tutorials for first and second year Medical students, as well as third year Biochemists.

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