As a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the Pathobiology program, Samantha Borys has demonstrated her dedication to teaching and mentoring throughout her time at Brown. Her teaching portfolio spans diverse audiences—from high school students in Brown's Pre-College program to industry professionals in the Brown-Pfizer master's program. Her courses have primarily focused on immunology. She has also completed two Sheridan Center Teaching certificates to strengthen her ability to engage with her students.
Samantha shares, “In a research-driven field, finding opportunities to engage with students is always a gift. My favorite course to teach was Immunology for the Brown-Pfizer master’s program. Students in this course came from diverse departments at Pfizer, many of whom had not taken biology in over a decade.”
Her nominators emphasize her commitment to fostering active learning and creating an inclusive environment. Associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology and co-director of graduate studies for pathobiology, Amanda Jamieson, states, “her ability to successfully break down challenging concepts to people with varied backgrounds is a great testament to her phenomenal teaching ability.”
Professor Laurent Brossay, highlights her impact in the classroom, “as an Immunology guest lecturer, Sam provided stunning insight and clarity into the field of cancer immunotherapy. Her slides, pace, and engagement with the students showed her talent as a scientific communicator. Students were engaged throughout her talks, especially as Sam skillfully answered questions. She validated these questions and encouraged their curiosity.”
When she’s not teaching, Borys is diving into her dissertation research on how cancer immunotherapy can sometimes trigger the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue, especially in the salivary glands. Her recent paper in Science Immunology showed that NK cells, a type of immune cell, play a key role in keeping that response in check. This work could help reduce side effects for patients on these treatments.
“Being recognized for this work reaffirms the importance of student-centered teaching in STEM and reminds me why I love teaching. Knowing that my teaching has helped shape future scientists is the greatest honor and encourages me to keep striving for that impact,” says Borys.
Samantha’s passion for teaching and research ensures her lasting impact on both her students and the field of immunology.
Kate Elizabeth Creasey, Samantha Borys, Kinan Dak Albab, and Caroline Cunfer receive Excellence in Teaching Awards at the University Awards Ceremony on April 30, 2025.