Two VMBS Faculty Members Honored For Teaching Excellence With Prestigious Awards

Two Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) faculty members, Drs. Amanda Davis and Michelle Pine, have been honored with the 2025-2026 Provost Academic Professional Track Faculty Teaching Excellence Award.

This prestigious award recognizes 10 faculty members each year for their exceptional teaching practices that foster meaningful, student-centered learning experiences and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to advancing education.

Davis, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, and Pine, a clinical professor in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, have made a positive impact on undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary students through their innovative teaching approaches and dedicated mentorship.

“Drs. Davis and Pine make a profound impact on our students with every class they teach,” said Dr. Bonnie Rush, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “I am proud to see them recognized for their dedication, innovation, mentorship, and overall teaching excellence.”

The award, which is supported by the generosity of the Marie M. and James H. Galloway Foundation, includes a $5,000 stipend to advance teaching initiatives and projects that enhance student learning. Recipients hold this award title for life.

Dr. Amanda Davis

With more than a decade of teaching experience, Davis has had a major impact on the VMBS’ physiology curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her work to revamp her courses — including through new laboratory exercises, assessment opportunities, and learning objectives — has greatly enhanced student learning.

“Dr. Davis is a successful, highly impactful faculty member who works diligently to continually enhance student learning and success as well as to adapt her instruction based on student feedback and peer review,” one nominator said. “She is attentive throughout the semester on how well her students are understanding the material she is teaching and works diligently to elevate those students that struggle.”

Outside of the classroom, Davis is also dedicated to student mentorship, including for 10 graduate students in the Biomedical Sciences program and the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management.

“Dr. Davis also guides other faculty in ways to improve their teaching efforts, providing broad reach for the success of students in our college both directly and indirectly,” the nominator said.

In addition, Davis conducts research to support her passion for education; she recently submitted a manuscript examining how well students understand cardiovascular physiology following the use of interactive computer modules.

“Dr. Davis exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in teaching through her student-centered approach, evidence-based instructional practices, leadership, and commitment to continuous professional growth,” another nominator said.

Dr. Michelle Pine

As the director of the Gross Anatomy Teaching Laboratory since 2013, Pine uses creativity and innovation to help undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary students develop a strong understanding of anatomy. For example, she recently helped develop a virtual reality (VR) teaching tool called the Anatomy Builder VR to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement.

“Dr. Pine is a dedicated educator who brings quality, experience, and innovation to the classroom and makes the anatomy lab available as a model teaching environment,” one nominator said. “She is highly respected by her students and colleagues alike.”

In addition to mentoring numerous undergraduate and graduate students, Pine has also helped more than 20 undergraduates gain firsthand research experience during her time at Texas A&M.

“Dr. Pine taught me how to be a successful educational scholar at an international level,” a former student said. “She was the guiding force behind countless posters, oral presentations, abstracts, articles, and book chapters. To this day, we continue to produce educational scholarship, and she continues to inspire and encourage me.”

Pine has continued to develop her teaching skills over the years — including through courses led by the Texas A&M Center of Teaching Excellence — and her passion for education led her to be one of the first to teach in Texas A&M’s Innovative Learning Classroom Building.

“Michelle Pine takes the time and effort to develop lessons that enhance student learning and provide them with methods to retain information other than memorization,” another nominator said. “Michelle genuinely cares for her students and shows it by equipping them with tools for achieving success in the classroom and beyond.”