CBC Teaching Assistant Spotlight: Sam Durfee

"Hey! My name is Sam and I am a second-year graduate student in the Pyun lab. I work on valorizing oil refining byproducts for industry driven applications.  

I have TA'd Chem 243a and 243b these last two years. I took both courses at the U of A as an undergraduate - so to come full circle is a rewarding process.  

While I was an undergrad, I realized I loved working with my hands and my brain in unison. Now that I am teaching, I aim to encourage my students to find a lab, and to step outside their comfort zone. These courses include proctoring, grading, and a LOT of explaining. This also means leading by example - for which I am grateful.  

"This is water" - David Foster Wallace" ~ Sam.