Georgia Southern professor modernizes biochemistry program through national research partnership

Georgia Southern University instructors are always looking for opportunities to bring research into the classroom, even when classes aren’t in session. That’s why Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Mark dela Cerna, Ph.D., jumped at the chance to spend time with the Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH) CUREs Community (MCC) cohort during summer break. 

CUREs (Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences) bypass traditional canned lab experiments by bringing a research experience into the classroom. The idea is to engage students in research topics that will pair with their classroom and lab instruction, giving them the chance to contribute to knowledge generation. Dela Cerna says the program focuses on MDH, an essential enzyme found in all living organisms.   

“Dr. Sue DeChenne-Peters, a previous member of the program, looks at MDH in cancers,” he explained. “However, I want to frame it from the biophysicist’s viewpoint and explore the structure-function dynamics.” 

Each member of the cohort is expected to develop and run a CUREs program at their home institution. Dela Cerna intends to pair it with the biochemistry curriculum, specifically upper-level bioinstrumental and biophysics courses on the Armstrong campus.  

“This is an opportunity to modernize our curriculum,” dela Cerna explained. “We have a lot of students in our program who are very interested in research. CUREs allow us to increase our research capacity in the classroom.” 

The program also lowers the barriers to entry for students who might not be able to participate in faculty-led research. Dela Cerna believes it will lead to increased interest in structural biology and molecular biophysics. Implementing the program will come with its own challenges, but dela Cerna said he has his cohort to rely on for support.

“CUREs programs are very difficult to implement properly,” he said. “But the MCC has a great community and support system. They really care about bringing educators who are passionate about research in the classroom, and that’s what matters most to me.”