Lisa Elfring

Lisa Elfring is an Associate Professor at the BIO5 Institute and serves as an Associate Specialist in Biology Education and Assistant Vice Provost in the Office of Instruction/Assessment at the University of Arizona. Her work bridges academic leadership and biology education research, focusing on improving STEM instruction through evidence-based strategies.

Her research centers on how students learn biology, particularly the conceptual challenges they face with core ideas such as the central dogma (DNA → RNA → protein). She investigates how students develop understanding across their academic progression and how instructional design can support deeper learning. A key focus is integrating quantitative skills into biology education, demonstrating that students can effectively apply math to biological problems, enhancing both skill sets.

Elfring is actively involved in transforming biology laboratory instruction by promoting the use of scientific models for experimental design and data interpretation. She supports instructional teams in adopting effective teaching practices across STEM disciplines. Her work has directly influenced teaching methodologies in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) courses at the University of Arizona.

She has contributed to research showing measurable improvements in student outcomes through evidence-based pedagogy, emphasizing classroom-based educational innovation. Her efforts are aimed at systemic improvements in undergraduate science education, particularly in making laboratory experiences more authentic and cognitively engaging.

Lisa Elfring plays a significant role in academic leadership and instructional development. Through her positions in the Office of Instruction/Assessment and the BIO5 Institute, she collaborates with faculty to enhance teaching quality and student success across STEM fields.