Kate Cooper

Dr. Kate Cooper is a Professor of Biology at Loras College, specializing in cell biology, immunology, and biology education. She teaches courses such as introductory biology, immunology, and the biology of women, emphasizing hands-on learning. Her research focuses on cell migration mechanisms using Dictyostelium discoideum as a model organism, exploring its relevance to immune cell behavior and human health.

Dr. Cooper holds a BA from Luther College (2002) and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (2008). Her work bridges laboratory research and pedagogy, developing cost-effective, inquiry-based experiments for undergraduate students. Key research topics include mechanotransduction in Dictyostelium and the expression of FCHO2 and PSTPIP1 proteins in developmental and disease contexts.

Her publications highlight innovative approaches to biology education, such as flipped classrooms and zebrafish-based labs, alongside studies on leukocyte motility in human diseases like PAPA syndrome and Muckle-Wells syndrome. She actively integrates undergraduate students into research projects, fostering engagement with microscopy and biochemistry techniques.