Regina Stevens-Truss, Dorothy H. Heyl Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Kalamazoo College, is the recipient of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) 2023 Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education.
The ASMBB is a professional science organization, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The award, instituted in 2005, credits an individual who encourages effective teaching and learning of biochemistry and molecular biology while demonstrating a commitment to pedagogical commitment and innovation in learning. As one of 14 professionals from around the world being honored by the ASMBB, Stevens-Truss will give a presentation on her teaching and learning trajectory at the 2023 annual society meeting, Discover BMB, in March in Seattle.
“Being selected for this honor has brought out all my humble bones,” Stevens-Truss said. “Never in my wildest dreams have I forgotten to be nominated or nominated for this award. My imposter syndrome person is in full bloom right now, and I can hear all the voices regularly telling me ‘accept a compliment, Regina.’ This award means the world to me, I’m honored and humiliated, and I cannot believe the list of pioneers with whom my name will be included. ”
Stevens-Truss served on the Committee on Minority Affairs (MAC), now known as the Committee on Maximized Access, as well as on the Committee on Education and Professional Development (EPD) of the ASMBB, where part of the steering committee that created the concept. -leaded learning strategies that laid the foundation for the organization’s certification exam. She was also the lead investigator in 2012 of a National Science Foundation grant supporting a STEM K-12 outreach initiative by the society called Hands-on Outreach to Promote Engagement in Science (HOPES – see pages 37-38 in this link).
Since joining the faculty at K in January 2000, Stevens-Truss has been teaching Chemical Reactivity, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Infection: Global Health and Social Justice. Current research in her laboratory focuses on testing a variety of compounds (peptides and small molecules) for antimicrobial activity. She is also the director of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence Award College, which was awarded to K’s science division in 2018. In 2016, she received K’s highest teaching honor, Florence J. Lucasse’s Lectureship for Teaching Excellence.
Stevens-Truss earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from the University of Toledo. She had two scholarships at the University of Michigan between 1993 and 1999, one of which was a lectureship in medicinal chemistry.
“I joined the faculty at K in a department with the BEST team of educators and students I’ve asked for,” she said. “From day one, my colleagues in the chemistry and biochemistry department supported every hair-brained idea I came up with. It makes me think a lot about learning by always keeping our students at the forefront and center in our conversations on this topic. My students pushed me to be better, to care more, to guide them on their learning and growth journey. And, without all these people, this reward would not have happened. This award is not just for me, but for all those who have been in my life for the last 20 years or more. You know who you are! ”
