School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences

Associate Professor Jack Wang

BSc (Hons I), B Information Technology (UQ), PhD in Molecular Biosciences (UQ), GCHEd (UQ), ASM FASM, SFHEA
Associate Professor
School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
+61 7 336 54611
Molecular Biosciences Building (76), Room 426
View researcher profile

Primary research interest

Learning analytics in online resource development; virtual laboratory training as part of blended and online coursework; large-scale undergraduate research; assessment and feedback in science communication.

About me

Associate Professor Jack Wang completed a dual degree in Science and Information Technology in 2006 and went on to a PhD at the Institute of Molecular Bioscience, UQ, to study the interface between molecular bioscience and microbiology. Jack has applied his research background towards Microbiology teaching, and his educational research revolves around interactive inquiry-driven learning, as well as measuring the impact of blending online and face-to-face learning activities in large undergraduate courses. His work has been recognized through national teaching awards, and in 2020 he was awarded the Australian Society for Microbiology David White Teaching Excellence award, the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) Award for Teaching Excellence (Biological and Health Sciences) and was named the 2020 AAUT Australian University Teacher of the Year.

Research focus and collaborations 

Assoc. Professor Wangs laboratory research focuses on understanding key host biological processes exploited by pathogens to infect and colonise mammalian cells. These experimental investigations revolve around direct visualization of biological processes using both fixed and time-lapse fluorescent microscopy as well as computational algorithms to process and analyse the data collected.  

He has applied his research background towards an interdisciplinary approach to Microbiology teaching, and his current educational research as a teaching-focused academic in Microbiology revolves around the integration of interactive inquiry-driven learning into large undergraduate courses, as well as the impact of novel education technologies on assessment and feedback.  This research aims to address the impact of blending online and face-to-face learning activities in large undergraduate courses, as well as improving the technological and communication competencies that serve as transferable skills for our graduates. One key outcome of this work is the development of an online repository of laboratory skills training videos that can be deployed across different educational contexts.  This research is carried out through multiple UQ collaborations and has been funded by the UQ, the Office of Learning and Teaching, and the Australian Council for Deans of Science.

Funded projects

  • Wang, J.T.H. – “BioLab Collective – an Australian Laboratory Skills Video Library for the Molecular Biosciences” – Australian Council for Deans of Science Teaching and Learning grant 2021, $20,000
  • Wang, J.T.H. – “A laboratory skills video library for the molecular biosciences” – UQ Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Grant 2019, $20,000
  • Carah, N., Diaz, A., Lawrie, G., Reyes, V., Slade, C., Smeaton, K., Teixeira Isaias, P., Wang, J., Yates, N., Lewis, P. - “Embedding the development of Digital Literacy skills within undergraduate and postgraduate curricula across multiple disciplines at UQ” – UQ Teaching Innovation Grant 2018 - $136,364
  • Wang, J.T.H. - "MICR2000 - students as partners for production of digital resources" - UQ Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning grant 2018 - $5,000
  • West, N., Wang, J.T.H. - "Developing and conducting high-throughput antimicrobial compound screening in MICR3003" - UQ Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Grant 2017- $42,000
  • Wang, J.T.H. - "vMarks: on-the-go video feedback for assessment in large courses" - UQ Early Career Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant 2015 - $15,000.
  • Wang, J.T.H. - "Authentic large-scale assessment of practical laboratory competencies in Microbiology" - UQ Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Grant 2013 - $12,000.
  • Wang, J.T.H., Hall, R.A., Schembri, M.A., Fuerst, J.A., Tyson, G.W., Hugenholtz, P. "Scaffolding Undergraduate Research Experiences across Second and Third Level Microbiology courses" - UQ Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Grant 2012 - $40,000. 
  • Wang, J.T.H., Schembri, M.A., Fuerst, J.A. "Developing Undergraduate Research Experiences in Microbiology" - UQ Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Grant 2011 - $21,250. 
  • Rowland, S.R., Lawrie, G., Zimbardi, K., Myatt, P., Wang, J.T.H. "Developing and resourcing academics to help students conduct and communicate undergraduate research on a large scale" - Office of Learning and Teaching 2012 - $219,000.

Teaching interests

Achievements and awards 

  • Australian Awards for University Teaching – Australian University Teacher of the Year (2020)
  • Australian Awards for University Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence, Biological and Health Sciences (2020)
  • Australian Society for Microbiology David White Teaching Excellence award (2020)
  • UQ Faculty of Science Teaching Excellence Award winner (2019)
  • UQ Award for Teaching Excellence (2019)
  • Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) - 2018
  • Australian Awards for University Teaching - Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning 2015
  • UQ Award for Teaching Excellence (Early-Career) 2014
  • UQ Microbiology Major Convenor
  • The Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Vice President of Communications
  • Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australia (HERDSA) member
  • UQ Faculty of Science Teaching Excellence Award winner 2013
  • UQ Medal winner (Biochemistry) 2006

Featured publications

Publications

Book Chapter (1)
Journal Articles (19)
Conference Papers (38)
Newspaper Articles (4)
Research Reports (4)

Book Chapter

Wang, Jack T. H., Kerr, Markus and Teasdale, Rohan D. (2014). Cancer insights through macropinocytosis: a role for sorting nexins?. The research and biology of Cancer I. (pp. 1-23) edited by iConcept Press. Hong Kong, China: iConcept Press.

Journal Articles

Kappler, Ulrike and Wang, Jack T. H. (2023). Exploring the utility of virtual laboratory training tools. Microbiology Australia, 44 (3), 149-151. doi: 10.1071/ma23043
Wang, Jack T. H. (2023). Is the laboratory report dead? AI and ChatGPT. Microbiology Australia, 44 (3), 144-148. doi: 10.1071/ma23042
Chan, Amy H., Kok, Ethan Y. Y., Razali, Muhammad Asyraf M., Lawrie, Gwendolyn A. and Wang, Jack T.H. (2022). Student perceptions and engagement in video-based learning for microbiology education. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 30 (3), 2-18. doi: 10.30722/ijisme.30.03.001
Le, Branda, Lawrie, Gwendolyn A. and Wang, Jack T. H. (2022). Student self-perception on digital literacy in STEM blended learning environments. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 31 (3), 1-19. doi: 10.1007/s10956-022-09956-1
Wang, Jack T. H., Huston, Wilhelmina M., Johanesen, Priscilla, Lloyd, Megan and Waller, Karena L. (2018). A laboratory competency examination in microbiology. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 365 (20) fny224. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fny224
Pedwell, Rhianna K., Fraser, James A., Wang, Jack T. H., Clegg, Jack K., Chartres, Jy D. and Rowland, Susan L. (2018). The beer and biofuels laboratory: a report on implementing and supporting a large, interdisciplinary, yeast-focused course-based undergraduate research experience. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education , 46 (3), 213-222. doi: 10.1002/bmb.21111
Wang, Jack T. H., Power, Cheryl J., Kahler, Charlene M., Lyras, Dena, Young, Paul R., Iredell, Jonathan and Robins-Browne, Roy (2018). Communication ambassadors - an Australian social media initiative to develop communication skills in early career scientists. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 19 (1) 1428. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v19i1.1428
Wang, Jack T. H. (2017). Course-based undergraduate research experiences in molecular biosciences-patterns, trends, and faculty support. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 364 (15) fnx157. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnx157
Burke, C., Cain, H., Coleman, N., Grando, D., Hughes, M., Johanesen, P., Lategan, J., Lloyd, M., Markham, J., Mohideen, M., Waller, K. and Wang, J. (2016). Threshold learning outcomes for a microbiology major. Microbiology Australia, 38 (2), 93-97. doi: 10.1071/MA16031
Wang, Jack T. H. (2016). Using undergraduate research to develop transferable skills for the modern workforce. Microbiology Australia, 38 (2), 84-87. doi: 10.1071/MA16026
Wang, Jack T.H., Daly, Joshua N., Willner, Dana L., Patil, Jayee, Hall, Roy A., Schembri, Mark A., Tyson, Gene W. and Hugenholtz, Philip (2015). Do You Kiss Your Mother with That Mouth? An Authentic Large-Scale Undergraduate Research Experience in Mapping the Human Oral Microbiome. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 16 (1), 50-60. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v16i1.816
Rowland, Susan, Green, Matthew, Lawrie, Gwendolyn, Myatt, Paula, Pedwell, Rhianna, Wang, Jack, Worthy, Peter and Zimbardi, Kirsten (2014). The ALURE of Massified Undergraduate Research. Australian Biochemist, 45 (3), 15-19.
Wang, Jack T. H., Teasdale, Rohan D. and Liebl, David (2014). Macropinosome quantitation assay. MethodsX, 1 (1), 36-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2014.05.002
Wang, Jack T. H., Schembri, Mark A. and Hall, Roy A. (2013). How much is too much assessment? Insight into assessment-driven student learning gains in large-scale undergraduate microbiology courses. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 14 (1), 12-24. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v14i1.449
Wang, Jack T.H., Schembri, Mark A., Ramakrishna, Mathitha, Sagulenko, Evgeny and Fuerst, John A. (2012). Immersing undergraduate students in the research experience: A practical laboratory module on molecular cloning of microbial genes. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 40 (1), 37-45. doi: 10.1002/bmb.20572
Wang, Jth, Kerr, MC, Karunaratne, S, Jeanes, A, Yap, AS and Teasdale, RD (2010). The SNX-PX-BAR family in macropinocytosis: The regulation of macropinosome formation by SNX-PX-BAR proteins. PLoS One, 5 (10) e13763, e13763-1-e13763-13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013763
Kerr, Markus C., Wang, Jack T. H., Castro, Natalie A., Hamilton, Nicholas A., Town, Liam, Brown, Darren L., Meunier, Frederic A., Brown, Nat F., Stow, Jennifer L. and Teasdale, Rohan D. (2010). Inhibition of the PtdIns(5) kinase PIKfyve disrupts intracellular replication of Salmonella. EMBO Journal, 29 (8), 1331-1347. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2010.28
Hamilton, Nicholas A., Wang, Jack T. H., Kerr, Markus C. and Teasdale, Rohan. D. (2009). Statistical and visual differentiation of subcellular imaging. BMC Bioinformatics, 10 (1) 94, 94.1-94.12. doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-10-94
Lim, Jet Phey, Wang, Jack T. H., Kerr, Markus C., Teasdale, Rohan D. and Gleeson, Paul A. (2008). A role of SNX5 in the regulation of macropinocytosis. BMC Cell Biology, 9 (1) 58, 58.1-58.12. doi: 10.1186/1471-2121-9-58

Conference Papers

Gannaway, Deanne, Wang, Jack T.H., Lawrie, Gwendolyn and Kull, Anna (2023). Growing inclusive learning communities: enhancing inclusive teaching and learning through professional learning, student partnerships and effective practice. HERDSA 2023 Annual Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4-7 July 2023.
Wang, Jack T. (2023). Virtual labs, Online Exams, and now AI? Professional learning strategies to navigate emergent challenges in Science Education. Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting 2023, Perth, WA Australia, 3-6 July 2023.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2023). Lessons learnt from MOOCs. Online Learning Summit, Taipei, Taiwan, 7 June 2023.
Compton, Eliza, Sherwood, Carl and Wang, Jack (2023). How to write for campus: Establishing your institution and yourself as a thought leader. Times Higher Education Campus Live ANZ, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 1-2 June 2023.
Markey, Simon, Morris, Gayle, Palmer, Edward and Wang, Jack (2023). Eyes on the horizon: How do we continue to enhance digital learning experiences?. Times Higher Education Campus Live ANZ, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 1-2 June 2023.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2022). BioLab Collective - an Australian Laboratory Skills Video Library for the Molecular Biosciences. Australasian Neuroscience Society Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 5-7 December 2022.
Wang, Jack T. H. (2022). Teaching has changed: Australian Universities over the past 10 years. 2022 Online Learning Summit Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan, 21 October 2022.
Kok, Ethan Y. Y. , Chan, Amy H. and Wang, Jack T. H. (2022). Developing a design framework for laboratory videos in molecular biosciences. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (2022), Perth, WA, Australia, 28 - 30 September 2022. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2022). Faculty professional development for the digital age – promoting student engagement through video-based learning. ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, Washington, DC United States, 13-15 July 2022.
Wang, Jack T. H. (2022). Pathways into Teaching and Learning for Early and Mid-Career Researchers. Australian Society for Microbiology National Meeting, Sydney, Australia, 11-14 July 2022.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2021). BioLab Collective – Academic Professional Development for establishing an online laboratory training platform in Molecular Biosciences. ISSOTL 2021, Perth, WA Australia, 26-29 October 2021.
Wang, Jack T. H. (2021). Navigating video-based learning in science - how do we close the gap between online and physical classrooms?. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 29 September - 1 October 2021. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
Wang, Jack Tsang-Hsing and Gilmour, Lauren E. (2020). Building a laboratory skills video repository for molecular biosciences. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (2020), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 30 September - 2 October 2020. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2020). Biolab Collective: Online video library to support hands-on laboratory training. Educon: ASM Microbiology Educator's Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 9 July 2020.
Wang, Jack T. H. (2020). BioLab Collective – designing a laboratory skills video library for the biological sciences. ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, Washington DC, United States, 29 June - 1 July 2020.
Woods, Gloria Deborah, Le, Branda, Lawrie, Gwendolyn and Wang, Jack (2019). Student experiences as they journey through blended learning. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sydney, NSW Australia, 2-4 October 2019. Sydney, NSW Australia: University of Sydney.
Le, Branda, Woods, Gloria, Wang, Jack and Lawrie, Gwendolyn (2019). Digital literacy skills, student interactivity and academic performance in STEM blended course. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sydney, NSW Australia, 2-4 October 2019. Sydney, NSW Australia: University of Sydney.
Wang, Jack Tsang-Hsing, Piyasena, Thisun B.H and Woods, Gloria D. (2019). Blended delivery of laboratory experiences: Changing roles for education focussed academics. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sydney, NSW Australia, 2-4 October 2019. Sydney, NSW Australia: University of Sydney.
Wang, Jack T.H., Power, Cheryl J., Kahler, Charlene M., Lyras, Dena, Young, Paul R., Iredell, Jonathan and Robins-Browne, Roy (2018). Communication Ambassadors – An Australian Outreach Initiative for Early Career Scientists. ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, Austin, TX United States, 26-29 July 2018.
Wang, Jack T.H., Chen, Rachel and Worthy, Peter (2017). Feedback analytics - measuring the impact of video feedback on student learning. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28-30 September 2016. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2017). Video assessment and feedback - upscaling student feedback in Science Education. Australian Society for Microbiology National Meeting, Hobart, TAS Australia, 2-5 July 2017.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2017). Technology-enabled learning and digital literacy: two sides of the same coin. Educon: ASM Microbiology Educator's Conference, Hobart, TAS Australia, 1 July 2017.
Wang, Jack T.H., Chen, Rachel and Worthy, Peter (2016). Delivering large-scale video feedback for laboratory competency assessment in undergraduate microbiology. ComBio 2016, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 3-7 October 2016.
Wang, Jack T.H., Chen, Rachel and Worthy, Peter (2016). vMarks: on-the-go video feedback for assessment in large courses. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia The Shape of Higher Education, Fremantle, WA Australia, 4-7 July 2016.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2016). Developing a hands-on practical exam for large-scale Microbiology courses. Educon: ASM Microbiology Educator's Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 2 July 2016.
Rowland, Susan, Lawrie, G., Wang, J., Zimbardi, K., Myatt, P., Pedwell, R., West, J., Veenstra, A., Kappler, U., Milward, L., LeBard, R., Howitt, S. and Worthy, P. (2015). ALURE: The Apprenticeship-Style Large-Scale Undergraduate Research Experience Project. HERDSA 2015: Learning for Life and Work in a Complex World, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, 6-9 July 2015.
Pedwell, Rhianna, Green, Matthew, Lawrie, Gwen, Myatt, Paula, Wang, Jack, Worthy, Peter, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Rowland, Susan (2014). Impact of student approaches to ALURE: 'swimming lessons' in the undergraduate laboratory. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (2014), Sydney, NSW, Australia, 29 September - 1 October 2014. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
Wang, Jack T.H., Pedwell, Rhianna, Hasan, Hanisah, Patil, Jayee and Rowland, Susan L. (2014). Supporting student engagement and transition through undergraduate research experiences in microbiology. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 29 September - 1 October 2014. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
Green, Matthew A. , Lawrie, Gwen A. , Myatt, Paula , Pedwell, Rhianna , Wang, Jack T. H. , Worthy, Peter , Zimbardi, Kirsten and Rowland, Susan (2014). Investigating factors that support and challenge in implementing authentic research experiences for undergraduates. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sydney, Australia, 29 September - 1 October 2014.
Wang, Jack T.H. (2014). Inquiry-orientated learning in Microbiology: Next-gen sequencing and the human microbiome. EduCon: ASM Educator's Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 5-6 July 2014.
Wang, Jack T.H., Daly, Joshua N., Willner, Dana L., Patil, Jayee, Hall, Roy, Tyson, Gene W., Hugenholtz, Philip and Schembri, Mark A. (2014). Embedding Undergraduate Research throughout Microbiology Majors. ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, Danvers, MA United States, 15-18 May 2014.
Wang, Jack T. H., Daly, Joshua, Patil, Jayee, Hall, Roy A., Schembri, Mark A., Tyson, Gene W. and Hugenholtz, Philip (2013). Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? An inquiry-driven microbiology undergraduate research experience into the human oral microbiome. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 19 - 21 September 2013.
Rowland, Susan, Lawrie, Gwen, Zimbardi, Kirsten, Wang, Jack and Myatt, Paula (2013). A large-scale undergraduate research project: you can do it and we can help. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (2013), Canberra, ACT, Australia, 19 - 21 September 2013. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
Zimbardi, Kirsten, Bugarcic, Andrea, Kibedi, Judit, Rowland, Susan, Lawrie, Gwen, Wang, Jack, Myatt, Paula and Worthy, Peter (2013). The impact of authenticity and student ownership on learning gains derived from undergraduate research experiences in physiology. IUPS 2013: IUPS & ADInstruments Teaching Workshop, Bristol, UK., July 18-21, 2013. Bristol, UK: University of Bristol.
Wang, Jack, Hall, Roy and Schembri, Mark (2012). Constructively aligning assessment and feedback - a way forward for integrating SOTL theory and practice in large-scale undergraduate classrooms. 9th Annual International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference (ISSOTL12), Hamilton, ON, Canada, 24-27 October 2012.
Wang, Jack T. H., Schembri, Mark A. and Fuerst, John A. (2012). How do we embed research into Microbiology Education? A case study in immersive undergraduate research experiences. Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM2012), Brisbane, Australia, 1-4 July 2012.
Wang, J. T. H., Schembri, M. A. and Fuerst, J. A. (2011). Developing professional research practice in students through undergraduate research experiences. Higher Education Research and Development (HERDSA 2011), Gold Coast , QLD, Australia, 4-7 July 2011.
Wang, J. T. H., Schembri, M. A., Ramakrishna, M., Sagulenko, E. and Fuerst, J. A. (2011). Undergraduate research experiences: A case study in promoting student engagement through authentic scientific enquiry. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, 28/9/2011 - 30/9/2011.

Newspaper Articles

Wang, Jack (2023, 02 01). How AI will make university teachers’ lives easier THE Campus
Betts, Martin and Wang, Jack (2022, 10 26). How do five different generations view university teaching and learning? Opinion Campus Review
Wang, Jack (2022, 05 24). Streamline your research using academic search engines THE Campus
Jack Wang (2021, 12 08). What to do when technology fails: an educator’s survival guide for online classrooms THE Campus

Research Reports

Myatt, Paula, Worthy, Peter, Green, Matthew, Lawrie, Gwendolyn, Pedwell, Rhianna, Wang, Jack, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Rowland, Susan (2015). ALURE Implementer’s Checklist: Support for Students. Sydney, Australia: Office for Learning and Teaching..
Myatt, Paul, Worthy, Peter, Green, Matthew, Lawrie, Gwendolyn, Pedwell, Rhianna, Wang, Jack, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Rowland, Susan (2015). ALURE Implementer’s Checklist: Motivation and Value. Sydney, Australia: Office for Learning and Teaching.
Myatt, Paula, Worthy, Peter, Green, Matthew, Lawrie, Gwendolyn, Pedwell, Rhianna, Wang, Jack, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Rowland, Susan (2015). ALURE Implementer’s Checklist: Evaluation. Sydney, Australia: Office for Learning and Teaching.
Myatt, Paula, Worthy, Peter, Green, Matthew, Lawrie, Gwendolyn, Pedwell, Rhianna, Wang, Jack, Zimbardi, Kirsten and Rowland, Susan (2015). ALURE Implementer’s Checklist: Design and Logistics. Sydney, Australia: Office for Learning and Teaching..

Areas of research

Biochemistry and molecular biology discipline
Microbiology discipline
Science education theme