Benjamin Rudenga

Academic Interests:

I am interested in guiding students through their introductory biology courses as they start their university studies. It is important to begin with a welcoming atmosphere of openness while immersing students in the laboratory and lecture courses in the Department of Biological
Sciences. In both laboratory and lecture settings, I build a community that works together to spark curiosity for the subject matter. Students who complete the introductory biology courses develop enthusiasm for biology, gain important laboratory skills, build foundational knowledge and not only think critically about their research experiences but also communicate their research through many guided discussions and writings.

These courses also involve undergraduate teaching assistants (TAs) and I am enthusiastic to lead my former students as they guide a new group of introductory students. Our students benefit from this approach that includes layers of possible mentors, some just a year ahead of them. Though not a formal mentoring program, the interactions between the TAs and me set a professional and encouraging environment that can be mirrored in the TA interactions with our students.

My graduate training was in immunology and I have a wide-ranging teaching history - from ecology laboratory to anatomy and physiology lecture - that I bring to the classroom.

Biography:

• Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, IN 2024 – present
• Adjunct Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 2017, 2020 – 2024
• Lecturer, Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN 2015 – 2020
• Co-coordinator, Arts 2 Science Summer Camp, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 2019
• Adjunct Professor, Natural Science Department, Ivy Tech Community College, North Central Region, IN 2014 – 2016
• Adjunct Professor, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT 2012 – 2013
• Adjunct Professor, Biology Department, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT 2012 – 2013
  M.S., Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 2012
• Research Assistant, Immunology Department, Yale University, New Haven, CT 2006 – 2008
• B.S., General Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 2005
• B.S., Industrial Management, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 2005

Professional Activities:

• Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity Seminars, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 2023 – 2024
• Biomedical Scholar Program, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 2008 – 2011
• NIH T32 Institutional National Research Service Award Training Grant, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 2011