ROOPA SEBASTIAN
St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda
Summary
Academic professional with extensive expertise in medical education, specializing in developing innovative teaching methods and conducting interdisciplinary research. Esteemed for fostering a collaborative learning environment and consistently achieving positive educational outcomes. Proven ability to adapt to evolving academic needs and effectively guide teams toward shared goals. Skilled in diverse active learning strategies, including small group learning, team-based learning, problem-based learning, and integrated teaching. Demonstrates extensive experience in organizing and managing both organ-based and discipline-based curricula, with a strong focus on integrating related disciplines to deliver a comprehensive and cohesive educational experience.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
7
7
Certification
Work History
Associate Professor
American University of Antigua College of Medicine
04.2024 - Current
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell biology and Genetics
- Integrated real-world examples into lessons, making course content more relevant and engaging for students.
- Mentored students and advised on career paths, degree requirements and post-graduate education options.
- Contributed to the development of a comprehensive curriculum, ensuring alignment with state standards and academic goals.
- Served on academic committees, contributing insights and expertise to enhance institutional policies and practices.
- Organized extracurricular activities that enriched students'' educational experience while also promoting community involvement.
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills through interactive classroom activities and discussions.
- Enhanced student comprehension by implementing innovative teaching methods and strategies.
- Made contributions in curricular development and innovation in teaching strategies.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share best practices, refine instructional strategies, and improve overall teaching quality.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with the latest research and trends in education.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by fostering strong relationships with students, parents, and staff members.
- Utilized various assessment tools to regularly evaluate student progress and adjust instruction accordingly for optimal results.
- Developed and delivered targeted remedial active learning sessions for students with lower academic performance and those requiring additional support, fostering improved understanding and enhancing their overall educational success.
- Enhanced effectiveness of curriculum and lectures using computer-assisted instruction programs and audio-visual equipment.
- Advised student groups, assisting learners in educational programs.
- Served students, clients and programs through participation in assessment processes, academic support units and university committees and task forces.
- Kept abreast of advances in pedagogy and work to continuously improve teaching methods and introduce new approaches to instruction.
- Championed the use of technology in the classroom as an effective tool for enhancing student learning experiences across all subjects areas.
- Proctored mid-term and final examinations, assisting students with assignment comprehension and monitoring for indications of cheating.
- Supported diverse learners by adapting lessons and providing individualized instruction to meet their unique needs.
- Sustained professional contact with colleagues and engaged in continuing professional activities to upgrade and augment existing skills or develop new ones.
- Helped students to develop and demonstrate broad, integrative and specialized knowledge, essential habits of mind, communicative fluency and effective problem-solving skills.
- Improved student retention rates by providing timely feedback, tailored support services, and close monitoring of progress throughout the semester.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
- Maintained regular office hours to provide struggling students with additional course help.
- Provided students with constructive, encouraging and corrective feedback.
- Created dynamic learning environment that valued instructor and student interaction.
- Used different learning modes and types of technology to engage students in achieving learning outcomes.
- Established and maintained inclusive, collegial and collaborative culture within classroom.
- Supported multidisciplinary research teams focused on scholarly publication.
- Instructed and evaluated students in classroom in alignment with college mission by incorporating innovative teaching and learning strategies.
- Developed diversified course curriculum to meet regulatory standards and support learning objectives.
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with stated course objectives.
- Created materials and exercises to illustrate application of course concepts.
- Designed and implemented various educational activities and programs to meet student needs.
- Evaluated and supervised student activities and performance levels to provide reports on academic progress.
- Taught diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
- Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.
- Developed semester outlines and instructional plans for each class session to comply with stated course objectives.
- Incorporated instructional technologies in course delivery for both in-class and online instruction.
- Created excitement and enthusiasm in classroom by delivering engaging subject matter.
- Reviewed program materials and coordinated updates to keep department materials relevant and accurate.
- Contributed to planning appropriate and engaging lessons for both classroom and distance learning applications.
- Conducted engaging in-class discussions to facilitate learning and encourage participation.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
- Met with students to dispense study and career advice and provide guidance and potential opportunities within chosen field.
- Participated in various campus memberships at each assigned school to promote academics and faculty development.
- Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
- Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
Assistant Professor
American University of Antigua College of Medicine
01.2018 - Current
- Dept of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Genetics
- Craft and deliver Interactive lectures in Biochemistry to 1st and 2nd semester MD students.
- Highly adaptive to latest pedagogical techniques, receptive to
student feedback to continually refine teaching methods. - Facilitate small-group and Team based active learning sessions of integrated clinical case studies and higher-level questions to support critical thinking.
▪Instructional Technology: Utilize modern educational technologies, learning management systems such as Black Board and Brights Space, and interactive tools such as Socrative, Survey Monkey, and book widgets to enhance the teaching experience.
▪Write learning objectives clearly defining what students should know or be able to do by the end of the course or program.
▪Developing and implementing educational sessions and activities to enrich scholarly experience and academic excellence.
▪Curriculum Steering Sub-committee member since February 2023 - actively collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to revise and optimize the curriculum, championing a holistic integration of disciplines. - Author NBME/USMLE-style multiple-choice questions to facilitate student practice and evaluations.
▪Develop exams that are both challenging and fair and ensure they align with course learning objectives. Implement quizzes and assignments as tools for continuous assessment.
▪ Monitor and maintain the integrity of the assessment process to prevent misconduct. - Oversaw and administered NBME examinations, ensuring the integrity of the assessment process
▪Grade students work in a timely manner and provide constructive feedback to help students understand their mistakes and areas for improvement.
Associate Professor
KVG Medical College
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Sullia, India
- Teaching Biochemistry to Medical, Dental, BSc Nursing and Medical Lab technology courses
- Conducting practicals and examinations
- Organizing post graduate seminars, postings in the department and clinical lab
- Standardization of research methodology for dissertation for post graduate students
- Sullia, India
Assistant Professor
KVG Medical College
01.2012 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: Sullia, India
- Teaching undergraduate & post graduate students
- Conducting lab sessions and demonstrations
- Plan and organize work in the clinical laboratory of the hospital, supervise staff in collection of sample, and tests, running internal & external quality control, audit the use and diagnostic performance of tests, liaise with clinical and healthcare staff, and have some contact with patients, perform clinical validation by checking abnormal results
- Sullia, India
Lecturer
KVG Medical College
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Company Overview: Sullia, India
- Teaching, conducting practical and demonstrations
- Scheduling classes, lab & viva voce sessions for MBBS, BDS & paramedical students
- Sullia, India
Lecturer in Biochemistry
The Oxford Institutions
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Company Overview: Bangalore
- Teaching Biochemistry for BPT, BPharm, BSc and PC BSc Nursing students
- Writing and vetting questions for all paramedical courses
- Conducting & evaluating internal assessments, planning syllabus, structure and scheduling classes for all the courses
- Bangalore
Education
PhD - Faculty of Medicine
Yenepoya University
12-2015
MSc - Medical Biochemistry
Kasturba Medical College
01.2005
BSc - Chemistry, Microbiology, Zoology
St. Aloysius College
01.2002
Skills
- USMLE-style item writing
- Active learning strategies
- Curriculum organization and management
- Online teaching
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Educational leadership
- Research expertise
- Faculty mentoring
- Curriculum design
- Instructional technology
- Academic advising
- Curriculum creation
- Academic publication
- Course design
- Collaborative learning
- Workshops and seminars
- Learning outcome alignment
- Syllabus development
- Staff development
- Student recruitment
- Curriculum development
- Interdisciplinary research
- Departmental leadership
Accomplishments
- Stephen Abrahamson Award for Innovation, Best of Cool Ideas by Keck School of Medicine, University of California Department of Education for the project titled 'The Digital Shift: Assessing ChatGPT's Capability as a New Age Standardized Patient'
- International Representative, Association of STEMM Pathways and Bridge Programs (ASPBP)
- PhD External Evaluator
- Meenakshi University, Tamil Nadu, India
- Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu, India
Affiliations
- American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
- International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE)
- Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists (IABMS)
- ASPBP International Regional Representative
References
- Dr. Fidelis Nwachukwu, Assistant Professor, Mercer University School of Medicine, nwachkwu_f@mercer.edu
- Dr. Carolyn Edmondson, Associate Professor, American University of Antigua College of Medicine, cedmonson@auamed.net
- Dr. Adekunle Omole, Associate Professor, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, aomol1@lsuhsc.edu
- Dr. Nikhilesh Anand, Associate Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, dr.nikhilesh.anand@gmail.com
Projects
Exploring Medical Students' Perceptions of Chat GPT-Based Simulated Patients, 2023 CRISPR Diagnosis of Dengue in Antigua, 2023 AUA DNA Barcoding Project, 2019 - Present
Publications
- Blood and salivary oxidant-antioxidant status in chronic periodontitis: a correlative study, International Journal of Biochemistry, 2013
- Chondro-manubrial deformity and Bifid Rib, rare variations seen in Pectus Carinatum: A Radiological finding, Surgical and Radiological Anatomy, 2013
- Salivary glycoconjugates as biomarkers of chronic periodontitis, Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental sciences, 2014
- Radiological Indices for Chest in the Indian Population, Journal of Radiology Research and Practice, 2014
- Pectus deformities: dilemma in diagnosis, International Journal of Health sciences and Research, 2014
- A cadaveric exposure of an oblique inguinoscrotal hernia, Anatomy journal of Africa, 2014
- Comparison of Serum Fucose Levels in Leukoplakia and Oral Cancer Patients, Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015
- New radiological index for evaluation of pectus deformities in Indian population, NITTE journal, 2016
- Anomalous High Origin of Accessory Right Coronary Artery: A Case Report, Can J Biomed Res & Tech, 2019
- Transforming Medical Education: Assessing the Integration of ChatGPT Into Faculty Workflows at a Caribbean Medical School, Cureus, 2023
- Harnessing the power of adaptive immune response and crosstalk, Int J Adv Biochem Res, 2024
Certification
1. FERPA for colleges and universities
US Department of Education, 2024
2. Health and Wellness: Designing a Sustainable Nutrition Plan
Harvard Medical School, 2023
3. ASBMB Art of Science Communication
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2023
4. TBL Fundamentals Program
Team Based Learning Collaborative, USA 2023
5. Introduction to Food and Health
Stanford University, 2022
6. Clinical Terminology for International and US students
University of Pittsburgh,2022
7. Professional Standards committee procedures and hearing
AUA center for teaching and learning, 2020
Timeline
Associate Professor
American University of Antigua College of Medicine
04.2024 - Current
Assistant Professor
American University of Antigua College of Medicine
01.2018 - Current
Associate Professor
KVG Medical College
01.2017 - 01.2018
Assistant Professor
KVG Medical College
01.2012 - 01.2017
Lecturer
KVG Medical College
01.2008 - 01.2012
Lecturer in Biochemistry
The Oxford Institutions
01.2005 - 01.2008
MSc - Medical Biochemistry
Kasturba Medical College
BSc - Chemistry, Microbiology, Zoology
St. Aloysius College
1. FERPA for colleges and universities
US Department of Education, 2024
2. Health and Wellness: Designing a Sustainable Nutrition Plan
Harvard Medical School, 2023
3. ASBMB Art of Science Communication
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2023
4. TBL Fundamentals Program
Team Based Learning Collaborative, USA 2023
5. Introduction to Food and Health
Stanford University, 2022
6. Clinical Terminology for International and US students
University of Pittsburgh,2022
7. Professional Standards committee procedures and hearing
AUA center for teaching and learning, 2020
PhD - Faculty of Medicine
Yenepoya University
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