Rate My Professor Tina Saxowsky

Tina Saxowsky, Ph.D., serves as Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Pacific Lutheran University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Lewis & Clark College in 1996, followed by a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2003. Subsequently, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Emory University School of Medicine from 2003 to 2010. A biochemist by training, Saxowsky's research specializes in DNA damage and repair, mechanisms of mutagenesis, and enzymology. Her laboratory work focuses on understanding how non-dividing cells, such as those in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, acquire adaptive mutations in response to stress. This includes investigations into yeast cell survivability under specific conditions, such as in the presence of Canavanine, and the molecular mechanisms underlying mutagenesis.

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.