Andrew Petzold

Andrew Petzold, Ph.D., serves as an Associate Professor at the Center for Learning Innovation (CLI) within the University of Minnesota Rochester and holds the leadership role of Faculty Director for the NXT GEN MED program. His position focuses on advancing innovative medical education frameworks and curriculum development across undergraduate physiology and biology disciplines. At UMR, he operates from the 318 Commons office in Rochester, Minnesota, engaging directly with students and faculty to transform science pedagogy.

His academic foundation includes:

• B.A. in Biology from Hamline University
• Ph.D. in Comparative Molecular Biology from the University of Minnesota

Dr. Petzold's research centers on revolutionizing biology education through evidence-based pedagogical strategies. He pioneers approaches for teaching physiology to non-majors, integrates medical humanities with core scientific concepts, and develops frameworks for effective science communication. His work critically examines socioscientific issues in health education—such as obesity through sociological lenses—and addresses systemic challenges like scientists' communication barriers and authority crises in scientific discourse. A strong emphasis on active learning, reflective practices, and technology-enhanced instruction defines his methodology, particularly in adapting curricula for contemporary challenges including pandemic-era education.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory in educational innovation. His scholarship consistently bridges physiology content with interdisciplinary contexts (medical humanities, sociology, biochemistry), prioritizes student-centered design (asynchronous learning, choice-based topics, exam anxiety reduction), and leverages technology for accessibility (LED-based NMJ models). A recurring theme is dismantling traditional hierarchies in science classrooms while fostering scientific literacy through creative reflection and real-world applications—evident in works like 'Decrowning the Classroom King' and 'Infusing sociology into a physiology classroom'.

No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source materials.

As Faculty Director of NXT GEN MED, Dr. Petzold leads institutional efforts to reimagine medical education pathways, though specific grant details or student advisee lists remain unreported. His research on classroom dynamics—such as quasi-experimental teacher-scholar environments and social self-efficacy in collaborative learning—demonstrates commitment to evidence-based educational practices. Future work appears focused on expanding interdisciplinary curricula that weave medicinal plants, pop culture, and biochemistry into foundational science education, as previewed in his 2025 abstract on 'Should I put that in my body?'

The NXT GEN MED initiative under his direction represents a dedicated academic team advancing medical education innovation at UMR. This program cultivates partnerships across health sciences disciplines to develop experiential learning models, though operational specifics of labs or extended teams were not detailed in available sources.