Katrina Binaku

Background

About Katrina Binaku

I’m a Chemistry PhD with over 11 years of experience managing multi-section undergraduate chemistry laboratories, coordinating multi-faculty courses, building courses in learning management systems (LMS), mentoring over 100 graduate teaching assistants (TAs), and developing impactful STEM curricula. I’ve taught both lab and lecture courses, consistently earning high student evaluations for clarity, engagement, and organization. I’ve also contributed to curriculum innovation, helping design and implement new lab modules, three new lab courses, and a new lecture course. I have supported students in their journeys to internships, post-graduate careers, graduate and professional programs—with more than 100 letters of recommendation written. I engage in countless university service including Undergraduate Curriculum, Safety, and Department Hiring & Promotion committees, Faculty Council, Academic Affairs Subcommittee chair.In industry, I worked as a quality assurance technician for two years, conducting rigorous QA testing on raw material and specialty chemicals. I utilized analytical techniques like pH, density, APHA color, titration, ICP-OES to ensure product integrity and compliance. I also helped improve turnaround time by collaborating with production teams and maintained ISO standards with zero non-conformances during audits.I’m passionate about building systems that work—whether in the lab, the classroom, and committees. I thrive in roles where I can bring structure, mentorship, learning tools, professionalism, and scientific rigor to help teams, students, and fellow faculty succeed.Professional Certificates- Inclusive STEM Teaching Project Course, 2024 EdX.org- Teaching with Generative AI, 2024 Macmillan- Ignatian Pedagogy, 2021 LUC- Online Teaching Course, 2025, LUCINTERESTS: LMS instructional design, STEM diversity & inclusion, curriculum development, environmental and forensic chemistry, instrument training & maintenance, method development, compliance.SOFTWARE proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite; Minitab 16; SPSS; ICNet; MagicNet; Panopto; Weatherlink; WindRose Pro3; SAS; SAS Enterprise Guide; NOAA HYSPLIT, SciFinder Scholar.LMS proficiency: Blackboard, SakaiINSTRUMENT proficiency:Metrohm 761 and 883 Ion Chromatographs, Thermo 42C/I NOx and Thermo 49C/I Ozone Analyzers, Vantage Pro2 Weather Station, Thermo Genesys UV-VIS, Thermo ATR-IR, AAS, ICP-OES.