Faculty Spotlights
Faculty Spotlight: Paul D. Cook, Chemistry
What are your undergraduate research mentor experiences?
Student Scholars Day, Student Summer Scholars, Faculty/Research Advisor
Would you briefly explain the focus of some of the most recent research you have mentored students in?
My research focuses on determining the structure and function of bacterial enzymes that modify sugar compounds. These types of compounds are involved in several processes, including making bacteria more pathogenic and resistant to antibiotics. If we discover how these enzymes work, then other researchers can identify inhibitors that can have therapeutic benefit.
Why is mentoring undergraduate research an important component of your work?
When I was a student at GVSU, I participated in a summer research program with Dr. David Leonard. That summer altered the trajectory of my career and my life. Now as a faculty member I can pay it forward and have a similar impact on the lives of students. The experiences they have in the research laboratory teach them valuable techniques and skills that a classroom experience never could. Furthermore, I get tremendous enjoyment out of working with students in the laboratory and seeing them get excited about research.
If a student is interested in your field of research, what are some suggestions or tips you might share with them to help them get more involved and/or better prepared to engage in this type of research?
In short: start early. Biochemistry is a popular field of research among GVSU students, so those who are interested should initiate contact with several potential research advisors as early as their freshman and sophomore years. This has a two-fold benefit. First, getting “in line” early helps ensure a position. Second, you cannot begin to appreciate the full breadth of a discipline in a single semester crammed into your final year in college. It takes a couple of years and even a summer research experience to truly understand how research in a particular area is conducted.
Who are some of your previous mentees, and what are they doing now?
Three of my previous mentees (from Mount Union – where I was before coming to GVSU) are currently in the Biochemistry Ph.D. program at The Ohio State University. Two of my other mentees secured technical positions at companies in Northeast Ohio.
Share this spotlight
Return to the listing of faculty spotlights.