By Emily Hubbell

Dr. Marcia Kieliszewski recently became a full professor of Biochemistry, a promotion that she says validates her accomplishments in the field and in the classroom.

“The promotion means I’ve passed a series of hurdles acceptably and have met a standard valued in science,” said Kieliszewski, who has been teaching at Ohio University since 1995. “It also makes me more confident in insisting on rigor in my classes.”

After earning a bachelors degree in psychology from Michigan State University, Kieliszewski married and had three children. It was only after she went back to school to take nursing classes that she discovered her interest in biochemistry. She went on to earn her doctorate in the field from Michigan State.

She credits her graduate advisor at Michigan State for teaching her that no question is a dumb question. He also valued creativity and shared Kieliszewski’s love for research.

“I like working with my hands and discovering things people have never seen before,” Kieliszewski said. “I love research, but I find teaching more and more satisfying because it makes you appreciate areas of science other than your own.”

When she taught her first class at Ohio University in 1995, Kieliszewski said she made a mistake common of new professors. 

“A lot of new professors want to teach undegrads everything they know. I’m surprised there weren’t spitballs in my first 490 class,” Kieliszewski said. She added that it’s important to be realistic about the capabilities of students. 

Kieliszewski enjoys teaching a biochemistry lab because it is a small class where she can interact closely with students.

In recognition of her promotion, Kielszewski will present a lecture, titled "Synthetic Genes for Glycoprotein Design in Plants," at 4 p.m. May 6 in Baker University Center 242. Her presentation is the final talk in the New Professor Lecture Series.