I come from a background where teaching is considered the most noble of professions in parallel with nursing. This approach of giving was ingrained at an early age and for me teaching is about guiding students and mentees to realize their potentials and aspirations and empowerment.
I have over two decades of teaching experience in various levels and countries. I am a fellow of the UK Higher Education Authority which is “a professional recognition qualification for university teachers in the UK” awarded for excellence in teaching. I have taught >500 students in six courses at Harvard and University College London (UCL). I developed a neurobiology course at Harvard, developed and delivered lectures and tutorials in pharmacology, neuropharmacology, toxicology, genetics and neuroscience; assessed final examination scripts, undergraduate/ master’s thesis and have provide feedback on assessment.
Teaching qualification
Fellow of the UK Higher Education Authority, since 2018
Click here to find out more about fellowship of UK Higher Education Authority
Current course
Neuro101V: Sculpting Activity – Neural Inhibition in Health and Disease. Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Selected anonymous reviews of teaching at Harvard
Anonymous Harvard student review fall 2022
“This is the best course I’ve taken at Harvard. Saad is an amazing teacher and the discussions facilitate real in–depth learning. You walk out of every class with a wealth of new knowledge“
Anonymous Harvard student review fall 2023
“Saad is an amazing professor! He makes sure that we understand the concepts, methods, and techniques. He is very focused on our deep understanding of content and is always ready to clarify any confusion“
Anonymous Harvard student review spring 2024
“Saad is so great, genuinely. He is passionate and knowledgeable. I am such a fan of Saad. Aside from the benefit of learning from Saad, you will also just cover so much ground in this class. I feel like a significantly better scientist after having taken this course. Take this class!!!“
Full student reviews from Harvard
Previous teaching
| 2018 – 2022 | Toxicology Undergraduate final year course. University College London, UK. | One lecture a year on Toxins that affect neurotransmission. Download lecture slides here |
| 2016 – 2022 | Neuropharmacology Undergraduate final year course. University College London, UK. | One lecture a year on Electrophysiology. Download lecture slides here |
| 2015 – 2022 | Mechanisms of drug action Undergraduate first year course. University College London, UK. | Four tutorials a year |
| 2012 – 2018 | General & Systematic Pharmacology Undergraduate second-year course University College London, UK. | Four tutorials a year |
| 2012 – 2018 | Neuropharmacology Undergraduate final-year course University College London, UK. | Running two practicals a year |
| 2007 – 2011 | Introductory Genetics Undergraduate first-year course University College London, UK. | Ten tutorials a year |
Saad Hannan 