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Albright Biology Professor Earns 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award

by Albright College

Jun 01, 2023

Ian Cost, Ph.D., (right) assistant professor of biology at Albright College has been named winner of the Dr. Henry P. and M. Paige Laughlin Faculty Award for distinguished teaching.

Ian Cost, Ph.D., West Reading, Pa., assistant professor of biology at Albright College has been named winner of the Dr. Henry P. and M. Paige Laughlin Faculty Award for distinguished teaching.

“Cost is an innovative and dedicated teacher whose compassionate nature extends to not only his students but also to the community around Albright, as well,” said a member of the award committee.

Joining Albright in 2019, Cost’s scientific research on functional morphology, ornithology and paleontology includes hands-on dissection, medical imaging, behavioral observation and biomechanical modeling. His personal research is focused on palate anatomy and biomechanics over time.

To better understand difficult material, Cost invites students to take an active role in their learning, combining hands-on and team-building activities. His students can be found drawing anatomical structures with sidewalk chalk in front of Science Hall, working together in realistic medical situations to implement successful diagnosis and treatment plans, and searching for dinosaur bones in Montana. His honors students work with third to fifth grade students in the Reading School District.

“Students across the disciplines love his approachable manner, his innovative teaching methods, the real-world applications used when presenting the material, and the appearance of a surprise dinosaur mask when they least expected it,” said a member of the awards committee.

Named a top national college by Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education, Albright College (founded 1856) is home to a diverse community of learners who cultivate integrity, curiosity, connection and resilience. Through learning experiences that engage a student’s creative and innovative capacities across all disciplines, both inside and outside of the classroom, an Albright College education guarantees that each student learns how to engage the world, understand the world, and is prepared to make an impact on a rapidly changing world. Located in Reading, Pa., Albright is home to undergraduate students, adult learners and graduate students.

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