July 2023 marked the two-year anniversary that Brianne 刘易斯博士.D., 助理教授, Department of Foundational 医疗 Studies, has been working at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.
In 2021, she came to OUWB after earning her doctoral degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Wayne State University, where she also earned undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and chemical biology. Her research interests include metalloproteins, 结构生物学, automated insulin delivery systems, 以及医学教育.
目前, she 教es biochemistry to first-and-second year medical students — but she advances the education of non-medical students as well outside of the classroom. Some of the initiatives she has been involved with to advance learning include the reBUILD Detroit initiative, which aimed to benefit 本科生’ education, NIH BEST (Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training) Program, where she focused on developing effective instruction, and OUWB’s bi-annual Online Enrichment Program, which introduces high school students to different aspects of the medical field.
1. What was it that started your interest in biochemistry?
After I took my first biochemistry class, I was hooked! It was the first time I was able to
explore protein structure in great detail. I realized that nearly everything boils down to
biochemistry and I decided I wanted to pursue this field. Later, I studied pharmaceutical
sciences, which in essence, is applied biochemistry. 我总能找到蛋白质
fascinating and hope my students feel the same way.
2. 你得了B.S. in 2013, making your experience in undergraduate
education relatively close to that of many incoming medical students that you
教. How do you think this proximity in experience to your students has
impacted the way you 教, if at all?
Even though I received my degree not too long ago, the educational landscape has
发生了巨大的变化. There have been advances in 技术 and delivery formats
which were not really used prior to the 流感大流行. Regardless, the feeling of being a
学生还很新鲜. A lot of my own experiences in education as a student have
shaped my 教ing philosophy. I try to put myself in the place of my learners and
identify how learning can occur.
3. You collaborated with the reBUILD Detroit initiative to advance representation
in STEM careers by developing research inclusive curriculum for
本科生. Can you tell us more about this initiative and what
inspired you to become involved with this?
I became involved with reBUILD as a graduate student who was seeking out additional
教ing and mentorship opportunities. The project was to create a research project for
本科生 who did not have access to larger laboratory research. We
developed a longitudinal research experience which was built in to the general
chemistry lab for freshman students. So, by the end of the class students would have
had exposure to a real research project which could not be accomplished at their home
单独的机构. Through this project, I was able to dive more deeply into the inequities
and structural barriers that impede diversification of STEM careers. 我很高兴
continuing my involvement in these projects here at OUWB.
4. You joined OUWB as an 助理教授 in the midst of the COVID-19
流感大流行. How did you deal with that transition?
Prior to joining OUWB, I had received training about best 教ing practices. 然而,
my training was focused entirely on in-person learning! I had to quickly adjust and learn
new to ways to 教 that would still be engaging for students. 虽然这是一个
challenge, it was also fun to push myself creatively, and explore new ideas and
技术. Fortunately, I have great colleagues who helped and provided opportunities
尝试新事物.
5. Can you tell us one thing that people at OUWB probably don’t know
关于你的?
为了我的博士研究, I spent a lot of my time working at a national accelerator (Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), an extremely bright X-ray beam that allows for high resolution atomic studies). 出于这个原因, my academic family tree goes all the way back to Niels Bohr, 欧文薛定谔, 还有莱纳斯·鲍林.
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & 市场营销 网页.
