Story by Sophia Anderson
Photo by Logan Jackson
Amanda Paz Herrera is passing on her love of scientific research in her Introduction to Research (GN_HON 2453H) Honors College course. Paz Herrera started teaching this course in fall 2023 after completing her Ph.D. in biochemistry at Mizzou and becoming an adjunct professor.
Now an assistant professor and core Honors College faculty member, Paz Herrera helps connects students with research through her teaching efforts.
In her Introduction to Research course, students look for antibiotic producing bacteria in soil.
“It’s a way to explore some microbiology techniques and get some hands-on practice in the lab,” Paz Herrera said. “But really, this is a great way to engage in developing other skills that are for research.”
She teaches data visualization, analysis, critical thinking and collaboration, and has seen students apply it to other fields. Her students take what they learn in the classroom and present projects during Mizzou undergraduate research events. Additionally, the small class sizes in the Honors College allow her to personally mentor students.
“I can help them and give them more one-on-one guidance,” Paz Herrera said. “So, that is another really rewarding aspect of this process.”
She was drawn to Mizzou’s science programs due to the cutting-edge technology available for structural biology research.
Paz Herrera also teaches one of the Honors Book Club (GN_HON 1051H) courses. She’s started collaborating with peer learning advisors who have taken her classes before and come back to help other students.
“It’s just beautiful to see the fruits that come out of exposing the students to research early on in their career,” Paz Herrera said.