Phillip Sokolove

Phillip Sokolove is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where he has been affiliated since 1974. Holding a B.A. in Physics from UC Berkeley (1964) and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Harvard University (1969), he conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University.

His research spans two primary domains: biological sciences (invertebrate neurophysiology, circadian rhythms, neuroendocrine control of reproduction) and pedagogy (active learning, constructivist teaching, cooperative learning). Since 1995, he has focused on evaluating pedagogical reforms in BIOL 100, a course he teaches.

Scientific awards include:

• Grass Foundation Fellowship (1969)
• Regents’ Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching (2002)
• Outstanding Faculty Award (2002)
• Phi Beta Kappa (1964)
• Congressional Science Fellow (1982)
• UMBC Presidential Teaching Professor (2006-2009)

His grants include:

• GK-12 UMBC Teaching Enhancement Partnership Project (NSF: $1,488,464, 2002-2005)
• Longitudinal Comparison Study of Active Learning in Introductory Biology (NSF: $414,824, 1999-2001)

His work also involved NSF Math-Science Partnership grants ($10 million) fostering collaborations between UMBC and Montgomery County high schools.