Interprofessional Academy of Educators
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Member Spotlight

Shining a Spotlight on Dr. Maha Farid

Maha Farid poses for a headshot

Academy Member Since 2025
Education Researcher, Interprofessional Academy of Educators, Academic Affairs

What do you do at UNMC?
As an education researcher in the Interprofessional Academy of Educators (IAE), I draw on my background in medicine and in public health, along with experience in interdisciplinary research and teaching. I provide consultation and feedback on education research projects, helping faculty and IAE members strengthen their study design, methodology and dissemination. I support educators by providing consultation on education research projects, helping transform ideas into rigorous, publishable scholarship.

Tell us about your educational research interests and teaching role.
I’m particularly interested in how interdisciplinary teams learn together, and how we can design educational environments that mirror the complexity of real-world health care. My teaching role is equally dynamic: I integrate structured training in medical education with years of classroom and clinical instruction to create learner-centered experiences that are both reflective and practical. Ultimately, I see education as a collaborative laboratory where curiosity drives innovation and scholarship fuels transformation.

What is one of your favorite/memorable teaching moments?
One of my favorite teaching moments was when I implemented Team-Based Learning (TBL) in a lecture just a month after learning the method in a medical education training course. The session involved a large group of around 65 medical students, which posed a logistical challenge. I had to improvise and creatively adapt the TBL approach to fit the size and structure of the class. Despite the complexity, it turned out to be an energizing and rewarding experience. The students responded enthusiastically, and their positive feedback confirmed that the session was both engaging and impactful.

What do you see as the biggest benefit to being a member of the IAE?
The greatest benefit of being a member of the Academy is the opportunity to be part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary community that is deeply committed to advancing educational excellence and innovation. As a researcher at the IAE at UNMC, I find immense value in the collaborative environment the Academy fosters, where ideas are exchanged freely, partnerships are formed across institutions and evidence-based practices are both shared and celebrated. It provides a platform not only for professional growth and recognition but also for making a meaningful impact on educational policy and practice at local, national and global levels.

What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
A fun fact about me is that I’m a passionate baker and party planner! I love creating themed birthday cakes for my kids, not just for their birthdays, but also for holidays and family traditions. I plan every detail of their parties, from decorations to activities, and it has become a joyful, creative outlet for me. I even run an Instagram page where I share my love for cooking and baking, including fun and imaginative lunchbox ideas for my kids.

Additional Member Spotlights