How to Be a Scientist: Critical Thinking in Life Sciences

Many undergraduate students choose a science degree but are not aware of how science and research works in the real world. We explain the processes of collecting, sharing and, most importantly, critical analysis of, scientific research, with a focus on the life sciences.

Deborah M. Brown, PhD, is a Principal Investigator at Trudeau Institute in Upstate New York, USA, as well as an adjunct Associate Professor at Clarkson University. She received her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2002 and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Trudeau Institute in 2008. As an Associate Professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she developed a passion for undergraduate and graduate education, developing curriculum and instructing students in Immunology, Vaccine Biology and Professionalism before returning to Trudeau Institute in 2019 to oversee the Joint Educational Programs with Clarkson University.

With a background in cellular immunology, she has published more than 50 scientific articles on diverse topics such as anti-tumor immune responses, the role of CD4 T cells in viral infections, anti-influenza vaccine strategies, and active learning techniques in the classroom. Since 2009 she has been passionate about training the next generation of scientists in the research enterprise, research methodology and scientific communication. As a member of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Teaching Interest Group, she has helped craft the undergraduate Immunology curriculum and is a participant in the AAI’s active learning workshops each year. She continues to teach students in Immunology and Immunological Techniques and supervises a unique, immersive 15-week semester long hands-on research project for Clarkson students investigating universal vaccines to combat influenza infection. This book represents over 20 years’ experience in research and academia at a medical school, land-grant university and not-for-profit research institute and is designed to teach students to be critical thinkers as they navigate their career path in the STEM fields.

Professor Roslyn A. Kemp is an immunologist at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her research focusses on immune responses in people with colorectal cancer or Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. She graduated with a Ph.D. in 2002 from the University of Otago and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, and completed postdoctoral training at the Trudeau Institute, NY, USA, Oxford University, UK and the National Institute for Medical research, London, UK, before returning to New Zealand in 2009.

Her teaching philosophy is to teach students to be scientists, rather than to teach science. She has developed curricula that focuses on teaching students to learn critical thinking skills and that prepares them for a variety of careers. She has also developed courses that increase understanding of diverse world views. She is a member of the Ako Aotearoa Academy for tertiary Teaching Excellence and has won local and national awards for teaching. She is a member of the Australia and New Zealand Society for Immunology Education Special Interest Group. She is a Council Member of the International Union of Immunological Societies and is a member of their Education and Publication Committees.