Alumni Reach Students with Lectures on Real-World Experience

Lectures from Department of Biology and Biochemistry alumni are helping current students see the variety of career paths available to them.

“Our alumni are a tremendous resource, and we want to make better use of their vast experience,” said Dan Wells, interim NSM dean and former biology and biochemistry chair.

Wells started the “Alumni Lecture Initiative” in Fall 2011 by inviting former department graduates to return to the University of Houston and present a lecture to one of the courses. The program is in its second year.

To date, more than a dozen alumni have presented lectures to classes, reaching over 4,000 students. Many alumni are eager to return and give an additional presentation.

Guest speakers work with course instructors to determine a lecture topic. Alumni typically give lectures that are relevant to the type of work they do.

“The program is mutually beneficial, giving our current students new insights into the real world while allowing alumni to reconnect with their department and UH,” Wells said.

As the program matures, the goal is to encourage the participation of as many alumni as possible and to have at least one alumni lecture in every class the department teaches each semester. If achieved, there would be a minimum of 80 lectures per year.

“The lectures have been well received and are a great way to connect our students with successful graduates,” Wells said.

To become involved in the program, biology and biochemistry graduates can email or call Joseph Eichberg, professor emeritus, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, at eichberg@uh.edu or 713-743-8374.

- Kathy Major, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics