Biochemistry and molecular biology majors are in luck—Colorado College’s very own Neena Grover, professor of biochemistry, organic chemistry, and ecofeminism, has been awarded a letter of commendation from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, also known as the ASBMB. The letter recognizes her work as a Student Chapter advisor, as well as her outstanding undergraduate mentorship skills.
Grover believes in studying real-life problems to understand classroom material. She is also in favor of a hands-on learning experience. In her classes, students can comprehend nucleic acid biochemistry from current literature on AIDS and can present the science of virus multiplication and drug action to the local community.
Grover’s career at CC began in 1999, after she received her master’s degree in biophysical chemistry and her Ph.D. in bioinorganic/biochemistry. Since then, she’s provided CC students with an outstanding number of opportunities.
As stated on the Colorado College website: “Dr. Grover’s continued participation in the Student Chapters program allows her students to attend regional and national conferences, present research in our annual undergraduate poster competition, and access support for research and outreach initiatives.”
Grover was one of the founding members of the Undergraduate Student Chapters, a community that works to link CC undergraduate students and faculty on the national platform of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
In more detail, the ASBMB Chapters are devoted to providing networking opportunities and career development opportunities, as well as providing access to research and science outreach.
In addition, the Chapter provides grants and awards to facilitate students’ networking and research initiatives.
CC proudly sends a large number of students to present their research at the national meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology every year.
“Our students have done quite well at the undergraduate poster competitions and we have won awards for student presentations and chapters outreach work,” said Grover. In terms of these presentations, Grover helps students with their CVs, personal statements, and the like, but she gives them full credit for their accomplishments.
Grover also founded the Bioscience Club in 2001. “The Bioscience Club is made of students from various different departments who are involved in science outreach to elementary schools,” explains Grover. The club is currently linking up with the Audubon Elementary School in Colorado Springs.
While Grover puts in her share of work as advisor of the Chapter, she humbly says, “Students at Colorado College are the ones who should be getting credit for day-to-day running of the Bioscience Club that I started when I started a chapter at Colorado College back in 2001. Students take the leadership role in running the meetings, coordinating the outreach work, etcetera.”
Grover’s passion for teaching and advising continues in full force this semester. She plans to spend the upcoming months teaching Biochemistry II during Block 6, and Organic Chemistry during Block 8. Throughout Block 7, she will accompany three CC students (out of about 200 undergrad students nation-wide) as they present at the annual undergraduate national meeting. Following the end of second semester, she will be teaching Organic Chemistry I and II during the summer.