Where do you go when you just can’t figure out your classwork? For hundreds of natural science students, the answer is simple: Just ask David Renard.

As a Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader, David has helped guide students through some of the most difficult natural science courses offered at University of Michigan-Dearborn, including principles of biochemistry and organic chemistry I and II. By facilitating group study sessions, he has created an atmosphere in which students exchange ideas and learn from each other—whether they’re struggling to pass or working to bring an A- up to an A.

“David leads by example,” said Annette Sieg, lecturer I in biology and assistant director of the Science Learning Center. “He employs all the teaching and facilitation techniques he was originally taught, and he has now begun teaching me some techniques he developed that help diffuse difficult situations to focus on learning.”

David’s talents aren’t limited to teaching. He’s also a burgeoning researcher. Krisanu Bandyopadhyay, associate professor of chemistry, said David has shown real promise with his trouble-shooting ability and out-of-the-box thinking.

And others are beginning to notice his skills as well. David earned UM-Dearborn’s Distinguished Research Award in Chemistry in Winter 2014 and received the Best Poster Award at the American Chemical Society national meeting, besting nearly 150 posters that had been presented mostly by graduate and post-doctoral students.

David said he next plans to attend a graduate program in material chemistry and is deciding between a career in collegiate teaching and research or industry research. While he isn’t entirely sure what the future will bring, David has one goal in mind.

“Wherever I find myself in five years, I want to be improving the lives of those around me,” he said, “whether that be through professorship or industrial research and development.”