Rate My Professor Tina Saxowsky

In her role at PLU, Saxowsky teaches a range of foundational and advanced courses, including CHEM 105L: Chemistry of Life Laboratory, CHEM 115L: General Chemistry Laboratory, CHEM 403: Introductory Biochemistry, CHEM 405: Advanced Biochemistry and Laboratory, and CHEM 499: Chemistry Senior Capstone. She actively engages in student-faculty collaborative research, having mentored undergraduates in projects such as the summer 2014 study on yeast cell growth with Mackenzie Deane and the summer 2021 project titled 'Exploring the Mechanism of Adaptive Mutagenesis in the Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae' with Nicolas B. Celebrado and Hayden A. Cross-Schroeder, funded by PLU's Natural Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program. As principal investigator, she led a multidisciplinary team that secured a nearly $650,000 National Science Foundation grant in January 2019. This initiative supports academically talented low-income students in completing STEM degrees through scholarships comprising 60% of the funds, targeted transition courses, linked introductory courses with supplemental instruction, and regular faculty mentoring to promote success among underrepresented groups. Saxowsky has also participated in inclusive pedagogy seminars and incorporated personalized learning strategies, such as student video projects, to enhance teaching effectiveness. Her leadership as department chair and dedication to research mentorship significantly impact STEM education and undergraduate training at Pacific Lutheran University.