 |
Dr. Nicole Kaufman, assistant professor
of biology, wasn't born loving science. She didn’t
even feel comfortable and confident in her first biology
class in high school.
"
If anybody had told me I would be a biology professor, I would
have laughed in their face," she said.
It was actually a chemistry class that turned Kaufman on to science.
Instead of majoring in writing or English — like she had
expected — she found herself majoring in chemistry in college.
"
I really thought I was going to be a chemistry major taking some
classes in biology," she said. "I ended up doing the
reverse. My interest was in biochemistry and that was in the
biology department. Majoring in biology caught me by surprise."
|
Kaufman wasn't the usual biology graduate student, either. She knew
she wanted to be a teacher, but it was a desire she felt she had
to hide from her research-minded instructors.
She was happy to find a place like Dana, where teaching is the most
important aspect of a faculty member's job.
"
I invest all my time and energy to teaching, which is what I
value most," she said. "No matter what the level of
preparation and interest, every student should feel accepted
in the science classroom. It is my goal to pass along an understanding
and appreciation of science, so that no matter what their future
aspirations, my students can consciously interact within an increasingly
science- and technology-based world."
Although Kaufman has scaled back her teaching duties to raise
her family, she said she wants to stay involved at Dana because
of her pride in the school.
"
I'm proud of Dana's liberal arts tradition, the fact that it
has a religious affiliation that considers character and values,
integrity and honesty as important. I like that Dana values its
heritage and puts its emphasis on the quality of teaching."
Dr. Kaufmann recieved her bachelor of arts from Gustavus Adolphus
College and her PhD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
She has also participated
in the Cancer Research Training Program at the Eppley Cancer Center and done
a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Nicole Kaufman
Assistant Professor of Biology
nkaufman@dana.edu
402 426-7369
Office: DHS 308
|
