WKU News

Dr. Nancy Rice, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, was recognized Thursday as Ogden College of Science & Engineering's first ever Women In Science and Engineering Award winner.  Ogden College Dean Cheryl Stevens presented Dr. Rice with this honor during the Spring Opening Meeting held at Snell Hall.  

Dr. Rice earned her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Tennessee in 1999 and joined WKU as an Assistant Professor in 2003 after postdoctoral experiences at the University of Tokyo and the University of Colorado at Boulder.  Nancy's teaching, scholarship and service are tightly integrated with focus on student engagement, primarily in the biomedical sciences as applied and investigative learning experiences that encourage critical thinking, social resposibility and global competency.  She teaches a broad range of courses from Introductory Biology for non-majors to Masters level courses.  Her research is biomedical in nature and has focused on using molecular and cellular techniques to investigate the genetic and cellular mechanisms responsible for debilitating diseases.  

Her service has been selfless as she has served her department and the University in many capacities.  Nancy's most extensive and high impact public service involves Partners In Caring, a medicine in Kenya program which allows pre-professional students to work in a medical service-learning exchange between Kenya and US physicians in an international medical context.  It is targeted at stimulating global health awareness in WKU's pre-professional students.  Through this program, fifteen students and three physician volunteers provide medical care to villagers living in the impoverished area of Kasigau, Kenya.  

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