Connecting Through Physics: Staff Feature

For Christian Schultz-Nielsen, Laboratory Development Specialist in the Department of Physics, teaching isn’t just about lab experiments and lectures—it’s about building a community. As a dedicated lab instructor, Schultz-Nielsen has spent years helping build authentic connections between students and faculty at the University of Guelph (U of G).

In 2023, Schultz-Nielsen received the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Staff Excellence Award for his efforts, given annually to a staff member who has made exceptional contributions to the College’s mission.

“As an undergraduate and graduate student, I got to experience the sense of family that permeates the Department of Physics when my parents passed away. In all of my subsequent roles (graduate TA, sessional instructor and finally staff member), I have done my best to uphold that sentiment and pay it forward.”

Schultz-Nielsen’s academic journey began in 1995 as an undergraduate student majoring in Physics, followed by a master’s. He now teaches intermediate and senior undergraduate physics lab courses. His decision to stay in the department throughout his career was driven by the strong relationships he built with both faculty and students throughout his journey. 

Supporting Students through Tumultuous Times

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Schultz-Nielsen focused on the emotional well-being of students. When lockdowns ensued, Schultz-Nielsen made it his mission to build and maintain a sense of community among physics majors.

“One of my primary goals was to ensure that students didn’t feel alone during such a difficult time,” he says, also noting he was concerned about over-reliance on digital media and lockdowns exacerbating feelings of isolation.

“It was important to maintain some normalcy for the students. We worked hard to ensure that pandemic-era students received the same exposure to experimental skills—like working with lasers, radioactive samples, or cryogenics—that their peers had. This kind of training couldn’t be done safely using remote lab experiments,” says Schultz-Nielsen.

From organizing social nights to hosting Grad Student Information Nights and liaising with the Physics & Astronomy Club for their events, Schultz-Nielsen actively works to build connections between students and enhance their learning experience. 

“I’ve found that there are two types of students: those who thrive no matter what, and those who need guidance. I focus on the latter,” he says. "One of my students struggled with confidence, questioning whether they were 'good' enough to attend graduate school. I encouraged and reassured them that they had nothing to worry about. Sure enough, they went on to grad school and even won awards for their research. It was all their talent, hard work, and ambition—but sometimes students need a little nudge to realize how capable they really are.”

He also strives to tailor lessons to students’ strengths and interests.

“Some students thrive on the theoretical, while others are more motivated by the practical applications of physics,” he says. “For example, one student might get excited about why light slows down when traveling through different materials, while another would be more inspired by how that same concept applies to medical imaging techniques like positron emission tomography, used in cancer detection.”

“I always try to find new examples that are relevant and useful to the students to help them grasp complex concepts.”
Schultz-Nielsen’s unique approach to education—blending academic rigor with personal connection—continues to shape the lives of the students he mentors, creating a legacy of support, learning and friendship.

2023 CEPS Faculty and Staff Awards

Four additional members of the CEPS community were recognized for their outstanding efforts in teaching, research and excellence:

• Dr. Adrian Schwan, Department of Chemistry, Excellence in Undergraduate Research Supervision Award 
• Dr. Sheng Yang, School of Engineering, Assistant Professor Research Excellence Award
• Dr. Monica Cojocaru, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Excellence in Graduate Supervision Award
• Dr. Michael Massa, Department of Physics, Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award

This article was originally published in the CEPS 2023-24 Annual Report.