A Western University professor is hitting all the right notes with his students and on social media. A video of biochemistry professor Derek McLachlin turning a chemistry lecture into a pop performance has gone viral, racking up more than 1.4 million views on TikTok.
“It’s a little surreal… I mean, it’s a little strange,” McLachlin said.
Second-year Medical Science student, Hoon Dao recorded the video during Thursday’s lecture, not expecting the outcome.
“I posted it before going to bed, and overnight it blew up. I had about ten followers, and suddenly there were over a million views,” Dao said.
McLachlin, who has been teaching for more than two decades, often uses music and humour to make complex topics easier to understand. His latest remix reimagines Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ as a lesson about ketone bodies, a concept in biochemistry.
“In the original song there’s a line about ‘I’m in love with your body,’” he said.
“I thought that tied in well with a lecture on ketone bodies, so I created a song from there.”
Students said the musical approach makes classes more engaging and memorable.
“When he first started singing, I was really shocked because I wasn’t expecting that,” said Jasmine Antonelli, a biochemistry student.
“But the whole class started getting into it, we sang and clapped along.”
Another student, Katrina Kalogeropoulos, said McLachlin’s creative methods help them remember key concepts during exams.
“It’s very exciting because a lot of classes don’t have those fun ways to remember things,” she said.
“He puts in that extra effort for us.”
McLachlin credits his background in piano lessons and high school theatre for helping him bring performance energy into the classroom.
“I use humour and tell personal stories to build a connection with students,” he said.
“When they feel that connection, they’re more ready to learn.”
He may not be topping the music charts anytime soon, but McLachlin has clearly found the right formula for learning.
