Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are GIFT Teaching Fellows and Teaching Assistants (TAs) the same thing?

No. Whereas the Teaching Assistant (TA)'s role is to assist the faculty in any capacity required for assistance, the Teaching Fellow (TF) plays an active role in designing and delivering at least two teaching sessions.

2. Can a faculty mentor work with several Teaching Fellows?

No. We believe that the experience will be most rewarding and the GIFT's objectives best met if a faculty mentor commits to only one TF. The faculty mentor is of course free to work with as many TAs as needed in conjunction with a TF.

3. Can I work with a Faculty Mentor / Teaching Fellow outside my department?

Absolutely. As a prospective TF, you can find a list of interested faculty mentors on this website.

4. Can a TF sign up to co-teach a course in the spring of 2012?

Yes, participation is open for both the fall or spring semesters.

5. Who do I contact if I have questions about GIFT?

Questions about GIFT can be directed to Dr. Sinaia Nathanson, institute director, by calling 617-627-2515 or by e-mailing GIFT@tufts.edu.

Asong

Nkengafeh Asong
doctoral student, chemistry

Current Research: "My research project is very exciting. It involves developing a fundamental, yet thorough, understanding of the structure and reactions of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst, a compound that is able to catalyze reactions using ultra violet light as the excitation source. Titanium dioxide has great potential not only because it can ultimately be used to treat polluted water, but also because it's inexpensive and the products of the catalysis reaction are non-toxic. I have synthesized this semiconductor and am currently investigating its reactions using vibration spectroscopy."

Why Tufts: "I did my research, looked at potential schools, and decided that Tufts University offered those things I valued most in a school."