Educational Leadership: Open Educational Resources
Dr. Robin Young
Associate Professor of Teaching, Biology
Textbook Illustrator: Heather Ng-Cornish, UBCO alumnus (degree in Environmental Chemistry)
Textbook Co-author: Dr. Lauren Dalton, Senior Instructor, Oregon State University
Resource Innovation
Cover art created by illustrator, Heather Ng-Cornish (UBCO alumnus)
Fundamentals of Cell Biology is an open educational resource textbook developed to support students encountering cell biology for the first time, typically at the second-year level.
It takes a conceptual approach, anchoring foundational ideas in the experimental processes that inform them rather than positioning knowledge as fixed—cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving and scientific literacy.
The textbook includes over 200 custom illustrations and animations, along with end-of-chapter review questions, to support understanding and engagement.
Published with support from UBC Okanagan and Oregon State University, the textbook addresses a longstanding gap in freely available, high-quality resources for foundational cell biology courses.
Designed for learners from diverse academic backgrounds, Fundamentals of Cell Biology takes a conversational and approachable tone while remaining rooted in the scientific process. The textbook emphasizes clarity, transparency in scientific knowledge and opportunities for students to see themselves reflected within the discipline. Rich, openly licensed illustrations by UBC Okanagan alumna Heather Ng-Cornish further enhance student understanding and engagement.
In addition to its accessibility, the textbook reflects a commitment to inclusive and equitable education. It incorporates Universal Design for Learning principles, including integrated glossaries, flexible formats and links to supporting materials. Accessibility features such as alt-text for images, colour-blind friendly design and captioned multimedia, ensure usability for a wide range of learners.
The content acknowledges diverse cultural and religious perspectives students may bring to certain topics and intentionally creates space for varied identities within science. By recognizing different backgrounds and highlighting underrepresented contributors, it fosters inclusion and belonging, helping students see themselves in the discipline and engage meaningfully.
Since its publication in January 2024, the textbook has gained significant global traction, with more than 165,000 unique users, over 450,000 page views and upwards of 20,000 downloads. Institutional adoption has grown rapidly, increasing from seven formal adoptions in 2024 to more than 25 across Canada, the United States and internationally. Student feedback from more than 1,100 respondents at UBC and Oregon State University highlights strong satisfaction, particularly with the clarity of explanations and visual design.
Key Impact areas
| Expanding Access Through Open Educational Resources (OER) | Provides a high-quality, freely accessible OER that removes cost barriers and fills a critical gap for one of the most widely required courses in biology programs, with growing global adoption. |
| Enhancing Student Engagement and Learning Experience | Enhances comprehension and engagement with clear writing, custom visuals and structured supports designed for first-time cell biology students. |
| Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusive Learning | Applies UDL principles and accessibility best practices to create an inclusive resource that supports diverse learners. |
| Contributing Educational Community with Open & Peer-Reviewed Resource | Developed through staged peer review and shared under open licensing to ensure quality and enable broad reuse. |
| Reflecting Cell Biology as a Dynamic, Evolving Discipline | Reflects modern cell biology by incorporating current methods, eukaryotic diversity, and transparency around scientific limits. |
| Belonging & Student Perspectives | Acknowledges diverse cultural and personal perspectives to foster inclusion and a sense of belonging in science. |
| Demonstrated Reach and Ongoing Impact | Shows strong global uptake and positive student feedback, with continued growth and collaborative development across institutions. |
“What speaks most to the quality of Fundamentals of Cell Biology is its enduring value as I have progressed through my degree. I have found myself returning to it in multiple upper-year courses. It is rare for an introductory text to remain so relevant throughout several courses and years of studies—it is a testament to the rigour and clarity Dr. Young has embedded in the text.” — Stephanie Busse, undergraduate student (class of 2026)
Co-authors Drs. Lauren Dalton and Robin Young promoting the book in San Diego, at the 2024 conference for the American Society for Cell Biology. Photo taken by Lauren Dalton.