{"id":1462,"date":"2021-04-01T12:00:01","date_gmt":"2021-04-01T17:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/?p=1462"},"modified":"2021-08-03T15:43:09","modified_gmt":"2021-08-03T20:43:09","slug":"professor-pop-up-biochemistry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/professor-pop-up-biochemistry\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor Pop-Up: Biochemistry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you enjoy studying how everything around us is connected and how living things run, you could harness those passions into a career as a chemist.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I think the most meaningful connections a student can make during their college career come from watching their professors be passionate about what they teach.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I love this field so much that I want to share it with others, especially future chemists. Let me tell you about\u00a0WSU\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/chemistry\/default.asp\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Biochemistry<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0program.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our bachelor\u2019s degree sets up students to succeed and be ready for either employment or medical school.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over the past 5 years, 95% of our\u00a0graduates\u00a0have gotten a job\u00a0in the field or admitted to post-graduate programs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inside the classroom, you\u2019ll have fun diving into labs that match your interests and working with expensive instruments.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You\u2019ll also get plenty of hands-on opportunities outside the classroom through year-round research and community outreach opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/03\/Jon_Mauser-Ka-Vang-16.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Jon_Mauser&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Mauser Headshot&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Mauser Author Creds&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Jonathon Mauser, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_testimonial admin_label=&#8221;Mauser Testimonial&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW28661264 BCX0\">I\u2019ve been a professor for\u00a06\u00a0years,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW28661264 BCX0\">and it\u2019s still a beautiful thing to watch students understand how everything is connected through this common language of Biochemistry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Jump to&#8230;&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Jump to&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/professor-pop-up-biochemistry\/#passionate&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Why I&#8217;m Passionate about This Field&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Why I&#8217;m Passionate about This Field&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/professor-pop-up-biochemistry\/#offer&#8221; button_text=&#8221;What We Offer at WSU&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;What We Offer at WSU&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/professor-pop-up-biochemistry\/#do&#8221; button_text=&#8221;What You&#8217;ll Do&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;What You&#8217;ll Do&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/professor-pop-up-biochemistry\/#shoutout&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Alumni Shoutout&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Alumni Shoutout&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/professor-pop-up-biochemistry\/#experiences&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Experiences You&#8217;ll Get&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Experiences You&#8217;ll Get&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_id=&#8221;passionate&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Why I&#8217;m Passionate about This Field &#8211; Title&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Why I&#8217;m Passionate about This Field<\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Why I&#8217;m Passionate about This Field &#8211; Body&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u2019s one of those things like falling in love: when you fall in love with someone, you can\u2019t stop thinking about them and you see them wherever you go. When I discovered Biochemistry after taking more science classes in college, that\u2019s exactly what happened.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">While other people saw the leaves changing color in the fall, I saw plants recovering nitrogen to store for wintertime and avoid catching diseases. While other people saw individuals taking medicine, I saw individuals treating chemical imbalances. That\u2019s Biochemistry.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Understanding why things are happening makes life less scary. It comforts me as a human being, not just as a scientist, to know there\u2019s a physical explanation behind everything.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Let me tell you more about our Biochemistry program.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_id=&#8221;offer&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/03\/What-We-Offer-Brian-Waldbillig-18.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;What-We-Offer&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What We Offer at WSU &#8211; Title&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>What We Offer at WSU<\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What We Offer at WSU &#8211; Body&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Across our Chemistry programs, students get to work with\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/chemistry\/facilities.asp\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">expensive instrumentation<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0in state-of-the-art labs.\u00a0This is especially the case in Biochemistry.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">One example is the NMR, which allows students to solve structures of molecules. A group of my\u00a0students are currently finding the sequence of snake venom protein on the NMR and using that data to identify what snake the venom came from.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We also have the HPLC, which is a liquid separation technique. Students measure the levels of antidepressant medication in urine samples donated from Winona Health and they analyze whether the antidepressant dosage was accurate. This is an experience they wouldn\u2019t get at larger schools because those institutions have technicians to run similar tests.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A third example is the\u00a0GC-FID, which measures the amount of alcohol in blood. After touring the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension one year with Chemistry Club, I instantly wanted to incorporate this technique in my lab. I met with their lab director, they sent me their protocol, and now my students do it exactly like the experts in the Minneapolis crime lab.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_id=&#8221;do&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_video src=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/soltIEkQWRQ&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What You&#8217;ll Do &#8211; Title&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>What You&#8217;ll Do<\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What You&#8217;ll Do &#8211; Body&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">On the first day of class each semester, I give students a menu of different labs I\u00a0offer\u00a0and students pick three they\u2019re most interested in. If something on my menu doesn\u2019t quite align with what a student has in mind, they can tweak my labs however they\u2019d like.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">This allows me to individualize a student\u2019s experience while they\u2019re here and have them do something they genuinely care about. Not to mention, students can learn transferable skills and confirm what they had in mind either is or isn\u2019t what they want to do as a career.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Previous labs have included students comparing the fat content of conventional and free-range eggs to figure out which is healthier to eat, along with scoring the spiciness of chili peppers based on the Scoville scale just like the experts do at the international level.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I also let students propose their own lab ideas. One year, a student who worked at a clinic wanted to know the contents of their flu shot after hearing people complain it was bad for them. So, he analyzed the flu shot, knew every protein and heavy metal in it, and concluded that there wasn\u2019t anything harmful in the formula.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Since offering individualized labs, I\u2019ve noticed that students are excited to come to lab. I even have students who want to stay after hours and continue working on their projects.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_id=&#8221;shoutout&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Alumni Shoutout&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Alumni Shoutout: Aidan Nelson<\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=&#8221;Aidan Nelson &#8217;19&#8221; job_title=&#8221;Quality Control Technician&#8221; company_name=&#8221;Bell International Laboratories&#8221; portrait_url=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/03\/Aidan_Nelson.jpg&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Nelson Testimonial&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">My most useful takeaway from WSU had to be the research opportunities. Being one of Dr. Mauser\u2019s research students taught me how to work independently and problem-solve. It also helped me get my first job!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I now work as a quality control technician at a laboratory where we make cosmetic products\u2014from sunscreens to hand sanitizers to lotions and more\u2014for companies like Pacifica,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Yesto<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, Trader Joes, and Sun Bum.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I personally turn raw materials like chemicals into cosmetic products. I also test every batch we make to ensure nothing harmful is growing. Between those two roles, I help guarantee anything coming in or leaving the facility meets quality standards.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I\u2019ve been interested in cosmetics for as long as I can remember, so I was super excited to combine that passion with science and turn it into a career that I love.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dr. Mauser made learning fun and always went out of his way to help the material make more sense. He\u2019s the reason I studied Biochemistry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_id=&#8221;experiences&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Experiences You&#8217;ll Get &#8211; Title&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Experiences You&#8217;ll Get<\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/03\/American-Chemical-Society.jpeg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;American-Chemical-Society&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Experiences You&#8217;ll Get &#8211; Body&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Research<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Students can also do independent research projects in the lab that are open-ended and don\u2019t have a particular outcome in mind.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Some of my research students are identifying when in the cell division process do mutated fruit fly proteins turn cancerous. Other students are trying to create an ideal cocktail of chemotherapies after treating glioblastoma cells with steroids and other drugs and analyzing the reaction.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The most important part of the scientific method is communication\u2014we\u2019ve got to tell people what we do, so others can build on it. That\u2019s why I take my research students to the national meeting of the American Chemical Society whenever I can. And it\u2019s so fun to see them get quizzed about their work by world experts.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/03\/Science-Demos_1-Erin-Blumentritt.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Science-Demos&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Experiences You&#8217;ll Get &#8211; Body&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Community Outreach<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Outside of research, we try to get people in the community\u2014especially kids\u2014excited about science without the pressures of being graded or making a mistake.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In the past, we\u2019ve hosted an event near Halloween where multiple science clubs come together and do a variety of demonstrations and activities in the Science Laboratory Center. Then we wrapped up the event by dropping a pumpkin frozen in liquid nitrogen from a tall height outside and watching it shatter.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We also visit science classrooms and lead college-level labs, like having younger students swab their DNA and use test papers to learn more about themselves. Our visits give elementary- and middle-schoolers the chance to work with equipment they may not get to until college.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I think it\u2019s important that students understand the value of community service because part of what we do as scientists is share out of the goodness of our hearts. That\u2019s the selflessness of science.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Conclusion Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em>The Professor Pop-Up blog series explores WSU\u2019s academic programs through the eyes of talented professors, ambitious current students, and thriving alumni. <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/professor-pop-up\/\">Read more stories from the Professor Pop-Up series.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you enjoy studying how everything around us is connected and how living things run, you could harness those passions into a career as a chemist.\u00a0 I think the most meaningful connections a student can make during their college career come from watching their professors be passionate about what they teach.\u00a0\u00a0 I love this field [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":291,"featured_media":1468,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[116,52,370],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cose","category-feature-post","category-professor-pop-up"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/03\/Science-Demos_1-Erin-Blumentritt.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb2ffS-nA","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/291"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1462"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1462\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2593,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1462\/revisions\/2593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}