Redesigning with students in mind
Teaching beyond information transfer

News and Ideas

Mayday! Lessons from cellular dysfunction and group work dynamics
An upper-level biology course revealed that strong science doesn’t guarantee strong teamwork. One instructor shares how failed group dynamics reshaped their approach, leading to more structured, collaborative and effective student learning.

Showing students that it’s OK to ask questions
Assistant professor reflects on how admitting uncertainty and following student questions beyond the syllabus reshaped classroom culture, encouraging curiosity, vulnerability and deeper engagement in introductory biology.

Park wins Parkinson’s award
He is one of three individuals who will receive $90,000 to fund their research.

In memoriam: George C. Hill
He conducted groundbreaking research on African sleeping sickness, supported countless underrepresented students in medical education and was an ASBMB member for 43 years.

Evolving the undergraduate biochemistry lab
Biochemistry professor reflects on 25 years of teaching lab courses, tracing the shift from technique-driven exercises to course-based undergraduate research experiences.

Promoting positive values in biochemistry classes
Associate professor integrates emotional awareness and values-based learning into biochemistry courses, helping students improve both academic performance and long-term personal growth.

Timeless reflections on mentorship and teaching
Professor at a primarily undergraduate university reflects on how mentorship remains the heart of education, while technology changes how content is delivered and students connect with material and instructors.

When AI replaces confidence in the classroom
After students relied on AI for writing assignments, one molecular biology instructor reframed the issue as a confidence gap and implemented a collaborative assignment to foster scientific reasoning and authentic engagement at an HBCU.

“Hi, profe!” How I learned to connect with my students
After critical course evaluations, a biochemistry instructor reflects on how sharing her story and building relationships transformed her classroom, helping students feel seen, welcomed and more connected to science.
Meet Our Contributors
Jay Thakkar
Jessica Desamero
Poornima Sankar
Courtney Chandler
Computational biosciences illuminate how molecular condensates form
Rohit Pappu will receive the 2025 DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences at the ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 12-15 in Chicago. Read More
Beyond the bench: On a mission to build an inclusive scientific community
Benjamin Garcia will receive the ASBMB Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award at the ASBMB Annual meeting, April 12–15 in Chicago. Read More
Quantifying how proteins in microbe and host interact
“To develop better vaccines, we need new methods and a better understanding of the antibody responses that develop in immune individuals,” author Johan Malmström said. Read More
Who decides when a grad student graduates?
Courtney Chandler
Careers Columnist
Ph.D. programs often don’t have a set timeline. Students continue with their research until their thesis is done, which is where variability comes into play. Read More
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