BRITTNEY G. BOROWIEC, Ph.D.
TEACHING
Formal (University) Teaching
Current Appts. as Instructor of Record
McMaster University, including Tri-Site Teaching at Conestoga College and Mohawk College
Human Biochemistry II: Nutrition & Metabolism (HTHSCI 3BB3)
Lecture- and tutorial-based course the examines diet and exercise for health as well as biochemical processes in disease states. Nutritional requirements in different life stages and in prevalent disease states are also discussed.
Human Biochemistry I (HTHSCI 1LL3)
Lecture- and tutorial-based course that introduces proteins, nucleic acids, chromosomes and their building blocks, gene expression, major biochemical pathways, and major macronutrients and their roles as fuels and nutrients.
Pathophysiology for the Nurse Practitioner
Lecture- and tutorial-based course that provides an advantage knowledge of pathophysiology relevant to practice, including risk factors and mechanisms of disease development, major pathophysiological processes underlying common diseases, and treatment options.
Previous Appts. as Instructor of Record
Wilfrid Laurier University
Fish Physiological Adaptations (BI451)
Lecture- and student seminar-based course focusing on the physiological and anatomical adaptations of fishes. Topics included swimming, respiration, circulation, iono- and osmoregulation, the senses, and others.
Practical Skills for Biologists (BI196)
Lecture- and tutorial-based course about the fundamental practical skills required of biologists, including experimental design, hypothesis testing, observation and data collection, data analysis, and oral/written/visual communication of science to various audiences.
Animals: Form and Function (BI358)
Lecture and laboratory-based course focusing on comparative investigation of animal anatomy and physiology using a systems approach (respiration, circulation, metabolism, and other areas). Central themes include homeostasis and anatomical, physiological, and behavioural adaptations.
Course syllabi available upon request.
Guest lectures
I regularly contribute guest lectures about my research/fish physiology as well as various science communication topics.
Recent guest lecture topics include:
“Careers in science communication” (2024)
"Tips and techniques for science communication" (2024)
“Sea lamprey: Physiology, phylogeny, and control” (2023)
“Writing popular science stories 101” (2023)
“Lessons learned from scicomm YouTube, Crash Course: Zoology” (2023)
"My DIY science writing career" (2022)
“Effect of the lampricides on sea lamprey mitochondria" (2021)
Textbook authorship
Borowiec, B.G. and Leonard, E.M. 2023. “The hypoxic ventilatory response and oxygen sensing in fishes” The Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology (2nd Edition). Elsevier.
Rossi, G.S. and Borowiec, B.G. 2023. “Muscle physiology and plasticity” The Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology (2nd Edition). Elsevier.
Borowiec, B.G. and Freud, C.A. 2023 “The 5 Fact Story” Teaching Science Students to Communicate: A Practical Guide. Springer Nature.
Informal Teaching - SciComm Workshops
I regularly facilitate custom science communication workshops for graduate students, faculty, and professionals. If you or your organization may be in interested in a workshop, visit the Book Me! page.
Recent Workshops
SciComm Workshop: A framework to uncover the broader significance of your work, Canadian Society of Zoologists annual meeting (2025). How to craft effective “so what” and significance statements for a variety of general public and scientific audiences. Co-organizer.
Biology Communication Workshop, Canadian Society of Zoologists annual meeting (2023). Popular science writing for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Co-organizer.
Being a Scientist Online, McMaster University McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching and Leadership Program (2022). Personal branding, use of social media as a scientist, and personal website building for academic researchers.
Getting Your Science Out There, Canadian Rivers Institute (2022). Described a framework for science communication work and practical recommendations in the use of social media for science communication.
Instructor, Science Communication 101, Laurentian SETAC short course (2021). Fundamental science communication skills of knowing your audience, storytelling, and handling jargon.
Instructor, Science Communication 101, University of Waterloo (2021). Fundamental science communication skills of knowing your audience, storytelling, and handling jargon.