Dr. Melody Neumann is an Associate Professor (Teaching Stream) in the Department of Cell and Systems Biology and the Director of the Human Biology Program. She completed her Master's degree at the University of British Columbia and her Ph.D. at the University of Sydney, Australia.

At the departmental level, her research is focused on developing and evaluating methods to improve undergraduate learning in cell and molecular biology. She is interested in using innovative and evidence-based teaching practices in my courses. Some examples include: development of online, hybrid, and ‘inverted’ classes based on peer-reviewed and evidence-based practices; the creation of animations for complex cellular mechanisms; effective use of clickers and Instant Feedback Assessment Testing (IFAT); team-based learning methodologies; assignments and tools to help students improve written and oral communication skills; and investigative labs using modern technologies and current research questions. She is involved in pedagogical research with faculty in Chemistry, Physics, Centre for the Environment, Geology, and Human Biology, which is used to inform the wider UofT community about teaching in the sciences. She is also interested in improving the teaching of biology across Ontario and together with colleagues at various institutions (through the Ontario Consortium of Undergraduate Biology Educators or oCUBE) regularly share and disseminate innovative and evidence-based teaching practices and research. oCUBE members also work on multi-institutional research related to teaching biology.

Dr. Neumann holds numerous awards in education, including the University of Toronto President's Teaching Award (2022), the Society of Teaching and Learning In Higher Education D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning (2020) and the Faculty of Arts and Science Dean’s Outstanding Teaching Award (2015). She worked with Laurie Harrison, Director of Online Learning, to develop 'Team Up!', a tool for synchronous online group work that enables groups of students to work on problem sets remotely in real time, earning her the first place (Institutional App category) in the IMS Global Learning Consortium 3rd Annual App Challenge and 2nd place in the European e-Learning Awards.