Dina G. Markowitz

Dina G. Markowitz, Ph.D., is a Professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, with dual appointments in the Department of Environmental Medicine and the Center for Community Health and Prevention. As Director of the Life Sciences Learning Center (LSLC), she leads innovative science education and outreach initiatives for K–12 students, teachers, and the public, emphasizing hands-on, minds-on learning and science literacy.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Columbia University, 1989
• M.Phil. in Genetics and Development, Columbia University, 1987
• M.A. in Genetics and Development, Columbia University, 1985
• B.A. in Biology, Brandeis University, 1984

Her research focuses on science education, curriculum development, and community health outreach. She has led national projects on topics including genetic testing, stem cells, neuroscience, environmental health, and bioethics. Her work bridges molecular genetics and public engagement, promoting scientific understanding through interactive learning.

Her recent publications reflect a dual trajectory: foundational work in gene therapy and retroviral vectors, and current research in science education and clinical public health. The articles span neuro-ophthalmology, cancer survivorship, fibrolamellar carcinoma, and educational simulations, highlighting her interdisciplinary impact.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Children's Environmental Health Recognition Award (2005)
• Sigma XI Scientific Research Honor Society (1988)
• UR Medical Center License Agreement #AGR-0253 (2006)
• Provisional Patent application 61057002 (2008)
• Retroviral Packaging Cell Lines (1994)
• Multiple patents for educational virtual labs and simulations (2006–2018)

Dr. Markowitz has supervised graduate students in science education and led numerous grant-funded outreach programs. She has developed curricula used nationally and has published extensively on teacher development, problem-based learning, and student engagement. Her work with the LSLC includes science camps, in-school programs, and professional development workshops, fostering long-term interest in STEM.

She is actively involved in multiple research and education labs, most notably the Life Sciences Learning Center, which functions as an interdisciplinary hub for science communication, public health education, and curriculum innovation.