Dr Annika Bokor, who teaches two first-year health science papers, won the top award at last night's Otago University Students' Association teaching awards.
She attributed winning the award to the theatrical spin she put on teaching biochemistry and molecular biology to
first-year health science students.
''I make silly analogies using ordinary household items and use them to illustrate various complicated concepts and processes,'' Dr Bokor said.
An example including bashing a boiled egg to pieces in class to demonstrate what happened to proteins when they were exposed to heat.
She believed such demonstrations were more engaging than staring at one PowerPoint slide after another, and her students told her that her unique methods made it easier for them to remember difficult concepts.
She was pleased to win the award and surprised, given the quality of those nominated.
Other teachers recognised last night included Dr Matt Bevin (runner-up), Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, Dr Brad Hurren, Dr Shyamal Das (who all made the top five), Dr Brad Hurren (top tutor/lab demonstrator) and Tony Zaharic (disability awareness and inclusive teaching award).