معرفی
Jane M. Liu is a Professor of Chemistry and Vice Chair of the Chemistry Department at Pomona College, where she has been a faculty member since 2012. She also serves as an Institute for Inclusive Excellence (IIE) Faculty Fellow for 2025-2026. Her work bridges molecular microbiology and chemical biology, with a focus on bacterial pathogenesis and science education. As an active researcher and educator, she directs the Liu Lab, which investigates gene regulation in bacteria while simultaneously developing innovative educational approaches to increase equity and inclusion in science classrooms.
Dr. Liu's educational background includes:
- Post-Doc at Tufts University School of Medicine
- Ph.D. from Harvard University
- B.A. from Swarthmore College
Her research interests center on understanding how the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae senses environmental cues and regulates gene expression to survive and cause disease. Specifically, she investigates the roles of regulatory proteins and non-coding RNAs in bacterial metabolism and pathogenesis. Complementing her microbiology work, Dr. Liu has developed a robust educational research program focused on how students engage with scientific literature and interventions to increase equity in science education. Her lab creates novel genetic systems and educational tools, including augmented reality applications for biochemistry education.
Dr. Liu's publication record demonstrates a dual trajectory of research in bacterial gene regulation and science education innovation. Her scientific papers primarily examine Vibrio cholerae's response to nutrient changes, revealing intricate regulatory networks involving transcription factors and non-coding RNAs. Simultaneously, her educational scholarship develops and assesses teaching methods that integrate social justice themes into science curricula and create engaging learning tools like augmented reality applications for macromolecular visualization. This dual focus reflects her commitment to both advancing scientific knowledge and transforming how science is taught and experienced.
Her significant honors include:
- Wig Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching (2015, 2020)
- National Institutes of Health Academic Research Enhancement Award (2010, 2014, 2019)
- Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2016)
- National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2012)
- National Institutes of Health TEACRS Postdoctoral Fellowship (2006)
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2002)
As an advisor, Dr. Liu mentors undergraduate researchers through the Liu Lab, where students gain hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques while developing scientific thinking skills. Her NIH and NSF-funded research supports multiple student researchers each year, providing opportunities for conference presentations and co-authorship on publications. Dr. Liu emphasizes creating a lab environment that values evidence-based science, safety, respect, and accountability, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She encourages students to pursue fellowships like Fulbright and Watson and prepares them for graduate programs and diverse career paths.
The Liu Lab operates as a collaborative research community committed to both scientific discovery and educational innovation. Lab members investigate gene regulation in Vibrio cholerae while developing novel educational tools and approaches. The lab's values emphasize evidence-based science, safety, respect, and accountability, with explicit commitments to diversity and anti-racism. Through partnerships like BRT Biotechnologies, the lab provides students with additional research opportunities. The lab's structured mentoring approach includes regular meetings, electronic lab notebooks, and clear protocols to ensure both scientific rigor and student development.
