Kristin M. Lewis Teaching Professor
Academic Interests:
My primary focus is providing outstanding learning experiences for Notre Dame students at the introductory level. For much of my career at Notre Dame, I worked to provide authentic experiential learning in the teaching laboratory. Projects in my teaching laboratories have included a partnership with Dr. Patricia Champion to investigate mechanisms of the ESX-1 secretion system in Mycobacterium, and with Dr. Jason McLachlan to examine responses of the salt marsh sedge Schoenoplectus americanus to environmental change. Students in my courses have the opportunity to make genuine contributions to research conducted in our Department. More recently, I have been involved in the development of a new Introductory Biology lecture course, Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems. In this course, we provide students with an opportunity to explore and master foundational concepts in biology, and to develop core competencies needed to be successful in the life sciences. I am also interested in assessment practices in higher education and have an ongoing IRB approved assessment project “Learning Gains in Introductory Biology” in with Dr. Joseph O’Tousa.
Biography:
- Teaching Professor 2023-Present
- Associate Teaching Professor 1997–2023
- Biology Teacher, Immaculate Heart Central H.S. 1991–1994
- M.S., Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame 1997
- B.S., Science Pre-Professional, University of Notre Dame 1991
Selected Professional Activities:
- Chair, Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems Development Committee 2017-2018
- Chair, BIOS Undergraduate Program Assessment Committee 2016-2017
- College Council, College of Science, University of Notre Dame 2015-2018
- Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow 2013
- Course Management System Subcommittee 2002-2012
- ASM Biology Scholars Assessment Residency Program 2011
- Faculty Senate, University of Notre Dame 2007-2009