BIOCAPS Spotlight: Dr. Scott Covey
Associate Head & Associate Professor of Teaching
Happy New Year, everyone! Our first spotlight of 2025 goes to Dr. Scott Covey!
Dr. Covey is currently an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Associate Department Head. He obtained his BSc and PhD in Biochemistry at McMaster University and then moved to Vancouver and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at UBC investigating the role of leptin in influencing metabolism. In 2007, Dr. Covey joined the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in a tenure track teaching position. While he has taught several courses within the department, his main teaching activities center around the 400-level laboratory courses. Dr. Covey’s contributions to teaching have been recognized through a Killam Teaching prize and a Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Education from the Faculty of Medicine.
What do you appreciate most about the BMB department?
The people and our departmental culture. Our department is filled with incredibly talented, motivated, and collaborative people. The department has a friendly and supportive culture that is always keen to push the boundaries of what we can collectively achieve in research, teaching and service.
What do you find most fulfilling about your role as an associate professor of teaching?
Working with the students is incredibly fulfilling for me. Seeing them develop as scientists, accomplish goals, develop new skills, and overcome challenges makes teaching an incredibly satisfying career.
What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching?
I have been fortunate to have many incredible teachers, mentors and coaches throughout my life. Appreciating what their time, skill and efforts have given to me, inspires me to try and do the same.
What is something unique or quirky about yourself that your colleagues might not know?
In my younger years, I twice had the “pleasure” to compete in a race that was considered one of the hardest athletic events in the world, Primal Quest.
What is your favourite book and why?
My favourite book is John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, but I also love reading anything written by Jon Krakauer.
What do you enjoy when you are not working?
Getting outdoors. We live in an incredible playground. In the free time I have I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, backpacking and kayaking.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Anywhere remote in the Canadian wilderness. I have had the pleasure to travel extensively in the backcountry of Canada and there is still so much more to explore. The Northwest Territories or a return to Haida Gwaii are likely next on my travel list.