Monica Stefaniak
Graduate Associate
Monica Stefaniak is a graduate associate at Notre Dame Learning’s Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence. She earned her B.A. in biochemistry and Hispanic studies from DePauw University in 2022 before beginning her doctoral studies in organic chemistry at Notre Dame.
Her research at Notre Dame focuses on the development of novel antibacterial agents and adjuvants to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is a detriment to those struggling with osteomyelitis and cystic fibrosis. She has teaching experience in lectures, labs, tutorials, and problem-solving sections and received the Jeremiah P. Freeman Award for Teaching in Organic Chemistry in 2025 for her work as a lecture teaching assistant for the Mary E. Galvin Science and Engineering Scholars Program.
Monica’s pedagogical interests include the development of new strategies that improve knowledge retention in large lectures by simulating the environment of a small classroom. She hopes to expand her pedagogical knowledge in teaching to facilitate students’ sense of belonging and engagement.