Mindy Reynolds

Mindy Reynolds is the Alonzo G. and Virginia Gent Decker Professor of Biology at Washington College, serving as Co-Director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major. Her dual research focus bridges environmental toxicology and science education innovation, with significant contributions to understanding metal-induced carcinogenesis and evidence-based STEM pedagogy.

Education:

• B.A., Wheaton College
• Ph.D., Brown University

Research Interests: Dr. Reynolds' laboratory investigates chronic metal exposure mechanisms (nickel, cobalt, cadmium) using human cell culture models to characterize cytotoxicity and genotoxicity pathways in cancer development. Concurrently, she pioneers science education research through NSF-funded collaborations, designing Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) and evidence-based teaching frameworks that transform STEM instruction nationwide. Her work uniquely integrates wet-bench toxicology with pedagogical innovation.

Publication Trends: Recent publications reveal two dominant trajectories: (1) Molecular toxicology studies examining metal-induced DNA damage across multiple models (zebrafish, mammalian cells), and (2) Educational scholarship developing case studies and CURE modules that connect environmental health concepts to classroom practice. This duality positions her at the intersection of environmental health research and STEM education reform.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• 2023 Society of Toxicology Excellence in Service Award for mentoring
• 2015 Society of Toxicology Undergraduate Educators Award
• 2012 Washington College Gold Pentagon Leadership Award
• NSF RCN-UBE #2418046: FAMNet ($75,000 as PI)
• NSF RCN-UBE #2416714: StressCURE ($75,934 subaward as Co-PI)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Reynolds mentors undergraduate researchers in her wet-bench laboratory, with students regularly presenting at the Society of Toxicology Meeting. She leads two major NSF initiatives: FAMNet establishes cross-institutional mentoring networks for evidence-based teaching, while StressCURE develops discipline-specific CURE modules to scale undergraduate research experiences. These grants support national STEM education transformation through faculty collaboration.

Laboratory and Collaborations: Her research facility employs molecular genetics approaches in human cell culture to study metal co-exposure effects. She directs multi-institutional teams across 2- and 4-year colleges through NSF networks, creating national resources for toxicology education and CURE implementation that impact thousands of STEM students annually.