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Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

student looking into microscope in biochemistry lab

Education is a primary mission of academic scientists. The faculty in the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics department are committed to providing rigorous, high quality education to the scientists of tomorrow. Our work employs a wide variety of experimental approaches and addresses diverse scientific questions. However, what unifies us is our commitment to discovering the fundamental biological and biochemical principles that govern the systems we study.

We provide educational opportunities in many formats: classroom education, informal scientific discussion, and direct mentorship in our labs. With diverse areas of expertise in enzymology, metabolism, gene expression, protein structure/function, virology, cell differentiation, and molecular pathogenesis we must employ equally diverse educational strategies to inform and inspire junior scientists in training.

As a cornerstone of the basic health sciences in a large academic medical center, the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics faculty have the opportunity to interact with and influence the education of many students. We serve as mentors and instructors for graduate students (both master's and doctoral levels), professional students (medical, dental, and optometry students), and undergraduate students. Each of our faculty is involved in one or more of these key educational commitments. Discovery and scholarship are critical aspects of academic science, but a commitment to training and education is equally important to protect the discoveries of tomorrow.

"Education is not the learning of facts, but training the mind to think.”- Albert Einstein