{"690030":{"#nid":"690030","#data":{"type":"news","title":"JMHP Student Awarded Best Teaching Assistant of the Year  ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOne of the 3 Undergraduate Teaching Assistants of the Year!\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGreat teaching skills are crucial to student academic success, and they are highly valued at the John H. Martinson Honors Program (JMHP). Second year JMHP Neuroscience student Jason Wang was honored as a 2026 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant of the Year by the Center for Teaching and Learning. \u0026nbsp;Jason is a TA for a course called Neural Systems, Networks, and Behavior (NEUR 3002) taught by Dr. Ian Krout. Neural Systems, Networks, and Behavior is a required course for all undergraduate neuroscience students, and it \u201cexplores how animal behaviors emerge from neuronal networks and systems, with a specific focus on principles of network operation and computational applications\u201d\u003Cstrong\u003E (\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/oscar.gatech.edu\/bprod\/bwckctlg.p_disp_course_detail?cat_term_in=202408\u0026amp;subj_code_in=NEUR\u0026amp;crse_numb_in=3002\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESOURCE\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E)\u003C\/strong\u003E. Jason spends 10-15 hours a week supporting student success via office hours, grading assignments, and academic guidance. Notably, he has contributed to the redesigning of NEUR 3002 to align with the CURE framework. CURE, also known as Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience, is a \u201cpedagogical framework\u201d that allows students to actively contribute to research initiatives \u201caligned with the course content and objectives\u201d.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESystems Neuroscience\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn NEUR 3002, this framework is established with three major components through a semester-long project. Students select a neural mechanism to focus on within the realm of systems neuroscience, then investigate the mechanism in humans and model organisms, applying it to pathology.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJason mentions how, \u201cstudents\u2026not only turn in a physical product, but they present their findings\u2026in a written format, or visually, and sometimes it can be multimodal.\u201d Presentation formats might include a traditional presentation, comparative infographic, NIH-style pitch, etc., all with the goal \u201cto see if [the CURE framework] enhances or improves sensibility to communicate scientific concepts\u201d as a result of the pedagogical process and deliverables involved.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJason\u2019s Teaching Assistant Mindset\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJason has worked closely with Dr. Krout to adapt the project curriculum between semesters and emphasizes the need to take student feedback into account when making these revisions. Some significant shifts they have been working on include improving the timeline of the course so students would not jump ahead in the CURE project, reducing group size, and continuing to follow up on any concerns that students have as theys work on their CURE deliverables. He reflects that adaptation is an ongoing process, rather than a one-time initiative.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn order to cultivate a sense of community with students in the course, Jason emphasizes the need for strong instructional team function from the start. Jason mentioned, \u201cI think coordination is very important, so that the students actually feel our presence\u201d and understand that \u201cwe\u2019re taking care of their concerns, we\u2019re integrating their feedback\u2026\u201d etc. Even with virtual communications, the goal is to ensure students feel comfortable enough to ask for help across the semester. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EThe TA team continues anticipating the students\u2019 needs to provide resources, such as review problems, feedback, and more. It is inspirational to see the commitment that Jason and the rest of the TA team have in order to make the academic experience as straightforward and meaningful as possible.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Piece of Advice for Students\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen asked for his biggest piece of advice for students, Jason explained that, \u201chaving that strong work ethic makes you stand out\u2026because you\u2019re the one who initiates conversations\u2026and you always want to try and make sure that\u2026you\u2019re not only working for yourself, but also for other individuals.\u201d \u0026nbsp;It is crucial that students and professionals understand the bigger picture of their work and take consistent initiative to ensure productive, efficient outcomes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Jason + JMHP Connections\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJason also balances additional responsibilities beyond his TA position, such as Project Yellow. Jason describes Project Yellow as a mental health education club for local elementary schools, and he is particularly responsible for lesson plan development and \u201c[adjusting] them to the needs of students\u2026in different settings, different time constraints, etc.\u201d He currently volunteers (2024 - present) with Emory Winship Cancer Institute. \u0026nbsp;He helps to plan special events and keeps patients company as they await treatment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJason\u2019s anticipated graduation is Fall 2026 and is actively submitting medical school applications for the 2026 - 2027 cycle. In between graduation and medical school, he is excited to explore other more technical pursuits and other activities beyond pure academics. By the end of this academic year, he will have completed four credits of VIP research along with 10 credits of undergraduate research. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EAs part of his JMHP involvement, Jason is a member of the Honors Leadership Council (HLC) in the Professional Development Committee. Jason assists with finding opportunities for professional and student development within this committee. For example, this might entail Student Challenge Fund participation, certification opportunities, and the development of a database of professional opportunities that JMHP students can easily access in the future. Reflecting on his involvement with JMHP across his time at Georgia Tech, Jason positively added that the John H. Martinson Honors Program has \u201ca little bit for everyone\u201d through the wide variety of offerings and events hosted, especially \u201cto further supplement or reinforce\u2026exposure to the field\u201d a student might be intrigued by.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECongratulations, Jason, on this incredible accomplishment! JMHP is so proud of you, and we are so excited to see where your skills, work ethic, and passion take you next.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJason Wang is recognized for excellence in his role as a neuroscience teaching assistant.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Jason Wang is recognized for excellence in his role as a neuroscience teaching assistant."}],"uid":"27332","created_gmt":"2026-04-28 17:20:29","changed_gmt":"2026-04-28 17:28:33","author":"Amy D\u0027Unger","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680085":{"id":"680085","type":"image","title":"Jason-Wang-s-Headshot--2-.png","body":null,"created":"1777396839","gmt_created":"2026-04-28 17:20:39","changed":"1777396839","gmt_changed":"2026-04-28 17:20:39","alt":"Photo of Jason Wang","file":{"fid":"264324","name":"Jason-Wang-s-Headshot--2-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/28\/Jason-Wang-s-Headshot--2-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/28\/Jason-Wang-s-Headshot--2-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":757065,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/28\/Jason-Wang-s-Headshot--2-.png?itok=xjn_6zZB"}}},"media_ids":["680085"],"groups":[{"id":"72437","name":"John H. Martinson Honors Program"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}