Posted on November 8, 2024 by College of Sciences
#FacultySpotlight
Donna Degen, M.S., Department of Integrative Biology
What did your journey to UTSA look like and are you fixed-term track or tenure track?
I am fixed-term track. Back in the late 70s and early 80s when I was college bound, my family didn't have a lot of money for school, so I needed to stay in town. UTSA was the perfect solution! I obtained my BS in Biology in 1981 and then just kept going for my Master's in Biology, finishing in 1984. Then I left to pursue my main reason for studying science – research! I conducted both lab benchwork and clinical patient studies in oncology research, but after 30 years decided I wanted to teach at the college level. Enter UTSA again! I taught Microbiology labs starting in 2017, and then our CURE program's Microbial Diversity and Antibiotic Discovery (MDAD) course starting in 2022.
What do you enjoy most about your area of study?
With the CURE program, it's all about getting students interested in research. It's fulfilling to see some students who had little desire to get involved in scientific research by year's end learn to love it!
What are some of the most notable research projects that you've been involved in?
First, back in my pre-UTSA research days, contributing to the approvals of oncology drugs like Avastin and Taxol that are still helping patients today. Second, here at UTSA, I consider the MDAD course a research project in itself – both in its development and the research the students conduct. Although a classroom lab, the students conduct original research and work on their own projects they design. Third has been the extension of student classroom projects. One of my students (Lisa Yang) has continued analyzing the soil bacteria antibiotic compound she first isolated in the classroom to determine its structure and whether or not she has discovered a new antibiotic – that's exciting!
What is your proudest moment with the COS? Probably representing and winning the Office of Undergraduate Research's 2024 Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry Showcase Faculty Mentor Award – it was completely unexpected. My MDAD class made a rap video showing what the class does and is all about – it actually won Best in Show.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Interacting one on one with the students! I only have the one class of 20 students, and I have them for both the Fall and Spring semesters, so I really get to know them and have wonderful conversations with about microbiology, science, the world in general.
How would you spend your ideal Saturday? Spending time outside on a nice day (say 80 degrees!) in the backyard working on all my plants, taking the dog for a walk, sitting under a tree reading. Then maybe an evening symphony concert.
What are your book recommendations?
I have been in the same book club for over 30 years (before Oprah made them popular), so I really do and always have enjoyed reading. Some books that were a hit with the group: The River of Doubt by Candice Millard (history), The Three-Body Problem Trilogy by Cixin Liu (science fiction), Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (for classics).
— College of Sciences
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