Dr. Danielle Zurcher is a Teaching Assistant Professor at UNC in the chemistry department. Her training has been at the intersection of polymer and organic chemistry to design and improve novel materials for sensing toxic water contaminants. Her current interests lie in implementing effective teaching methods that promote student engagement and develop their critical thinking skills in large introductory courses. Dr. Zurcher is continually searching for new ways to connect students with chemistry and the new ways in which polymers are being used in our lives offer many great examples.