Employment History:
Lecturer, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, Villa Julie College (2002-2005); Associate Professor, College of Notre Dame of Maryland (1991-2002); Adjunct Professor of Physical Science, Coppin State University (1996-1998); New Programs Developer in the Prison System in Jessup, MD (1982-1990); Project Manager to Develop and Build Telecommunication Program, MCI (1985-1989); Educational Consultant, Baltimore City Joint Apprentices Committee (1982-1989); Professor of Science, Chairman of Computer Systems and Technologies, Coppin State University (1976-1991); Associate Professor, Administrator of Marine Science, Chesapeake College (1968-1976); Director of Quality Control, Vita Foods (1968-1973); Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Washington State University (1967-1968)

Published Works:
He has written several articles for the newspapers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland from 1969 to 1976.

Public Speaking Experience:
He was an organizer of the Science Education Symposium in Maryland from 1996 to 2003. He has delivered presentations at the Lilly Conferences on the East Coast.

Why He is an Expert:
Dr. Shah graduated with a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1968 from the University of Delaware. He received a bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics in 1962 from Xavier University. Throughout his career, Dr. Shah has served as an instructor and trainer at Morgan State University, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and Chesapeake College. He also contributes regularly to professional journals, including the Chesapeake Chemist, published by the Maryland Section American Chemical Society.

Best Advice:
"In general, scientists are introverts. Keep a positive attitude. Do not focus on the negative aspects. Very rarely, negative statements are written in my syllabus for the classes. Help the students whenever they run into difficulties."

Passionate about:
"I try to enjoy life in this short time on Earth. The best way to learn is by overcoming obstacles and mistakes, by trying to help each other and by reducing violence and greed. I am servant of all gods on this Earth - regardless of religion. I would like to see that humanity reaches its true potential, and improves communications and care around the world. Also, keeping other forms of life alive on our Earth."

Biography Excerpt:
As a lecturer and professor at Towson University, Shirish Shah, Ph.D. has been known to take an interactive approach - including workshops, meeting with Mr. Ralph Nader to discuss learning strategies, and Internet research - to help his students master the difficult subject of chemistry. During his office hours, he also conducts tutoring. "I help students overcome education obstacles, which involves more learning and less memorizing," explains Shah. "I assist them in time management and help them address the anxiety that comes with learning math and reading." Other projects include contributing to water and waste water treatment plans in Baltimore and consulting on education for the Baltimore City Joint Apprentices Committee.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: What would you most like to change about your industry?  
DR. SHIRISH K SHAH :  I would like to see tuition costs lowered. In return, students can go through basic training and then undergo between18 months and two years of service in schools, hospitals and shelters. They can also work in museums, zoos and many other places. I think that students will benefit by learning about people of different cultures as well as seeing the poor, rich, middle class, disabled and others. This can bring our country together and make it a beacon for the rest of the world.

What are your long-term career goals?
In the long-term, I want to ensure [that] adults and students have the opportunity to be creative, to find their talents and to be productive in their society. I would also like to help the people of Indian reservations in the West, and in some way help our country as well as the other countries of the world.

And what specific steps have you taken toward achieving these goals?
I will share examples from my experience here. When the British Government left India in 1947, they [encouraged the use of] native languages. From the first grade, I learned in the new format. I learned English grammar in high school, but I did not write or speak well. When I went to St. Xavier’s College, everything was taught in English. In our class of approximately 120 students, there were two students from the native language. I received my bachelor of science in science at the age of 20. In 1967, I taught [after-school] math to fourth and fifth graders, primarily African-Americans, at an elementary Catholic school in Wilmington, Delaware. During the first four weeks the results were dismal, even with the books. Students came late and always forgot their books; their clothes were not tidy. I asked them questions and listened about their fun games playing marbles. In place of books, I taught them the math of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by using Matchsticks and other games. They had to account for the money after they bought sodas and chips. Suddenly, the students came earlier, dressed properly and stayed after class. Within two months, they also learned about history, the capitals, rivers and more. This particular change helped me with my next assignment, when I worked from 1968 to 1973 at a food processing company. As a scientist, I had to train the workers how to mix chemicals properly and how to prepare solutions properly for the brine; also how to measure the quantity. This aspect improved the finished products. We reduced complaints by 90% when I was the director of quality control there.