Fall 2003 Catalyst - The Age of Biology

The Age of Biology

Opportunities in Biochemistry

On the morning of Saturday, November 15, 105 Arizona high school students and their parents gathered at the University of Arizona’s Memorial Student Union to hear a presentation by the University Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. Selected from among the most promising young potential “life scientists” in the state, the students listened as outstanding faculty described the extraordinary study and research opportunities available in biology-related disciplines at the UA.

“Welcome. The time has come to start this experiment!”, declared Department Head and Professor Thomas O. Baldwin as he greeted the audience in an outreach to Arizona high schoolers unique in the history of the Department. He was followed by a varied group of speakers, from Dean Joaquin Ruiz, of the College of Science, to Dr. Raymond Nagle, Professor of Pathology in the College of Medicine, to Dean Patricia MacCorquodale of the Honors College.

The majority of the presentations, however, were given by professors of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (BMB). These ranged from Dr. William Grimes’ observation that “biochemistry is going on in many departments across the campus” to Dr. Michael Wells’ assertion that research is fundamental to the training of young scientists: “Knowing is one thing; knowing why is another”. This emphasis on the importance of hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates was a recurrent theme throughout the day. In the afternoon, the students were guided by BMB Ambassadors (undergraduate biochemistry juniors and seniors) as they visited researchers in their laboratories and got an up-close look at the kinds of activities they themselves might be engaged in within a year or two. They also took a comprehensive campus tour.

The students and their parents were enthusiastic about their visit. Professor Wells noted that “several parents approached me about more details concerning undergraduate research…and several students seemed particularly excited about the BRAVO! program.” He also mentioned that several of the students seemed simultaneously fascinated and repulsed by BMB’s mosquito rearing facility.

The BMB Ambassadors also remarked on the enthusiasm of the attendees. Andrew Lemieux, Biochemistry junior, observed that some of the parents were surprised to hear that he had been able, as a freshman, to work in one of the campus labs. Susan Greenhut, also a Biochemistry junior, remarked on the surprising number of things that she and one of her high school “charges” had in common, which made it, “very easy for me to answer a lot of her questions, many of which were the same questions I had when I was a freshman.” Perhaps the best summary of the results of this departmental “experiment” was offered by biochemistry senior Katie Maish: “I was so proud to be a part of a department that cares about, is even enthusiastic about, its students, each other, and also the research they are involved in.”

Biological Sciences West
P.O. Box 210088 ·Tucson, AZ 85721-0088
Tel: (520) 621-9185 FAX (520) 621-9288
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
The University of Arizona