BLaST celebrates Weltzin as October scientist
October 2, 2020
Maegan Weltzin, assistant professor in UAF's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is the Biomedical Training and Student Training program's scientist of the month for October. Weltzin is a BLaST Faculty Pilot project awardee.
Weltzin earned both her doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology and her bachelor's degree in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry from UAF. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Weltzin enjoys outdoor adventuring, including skiing, hiking, camping and canoeing.
Successful student mentoring is key to a constructive and rewarding mentor-mentee relationship, as well as a productive lab. Weltzin works with each mentee to ensure that they understand their projects and learn what they need to be a successful researcher. Students are encouraged to present their findings at regional and international meetings including the IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence retreat and the Society of Neuroscience annual meetings. Since joining UAF in 2017, Weltzin has mentored nine undergraduate students and three graduate students. Her undergraduates include BLaST scholar Brianna Lu and past scholar Shelly Thao (both past Undergraduate Research Experience awardees), and URE awardees Bryant Griffith, James McKay, Chanta Spain and Shane Bennett (Spain and Bennett were past UREs).
Research in the Weltzin lab is centered on defining the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in disease conditions, including epilepsy, and nAChRs involvement in viral infection, specifically rabies and COVID-19. An evolving third research area is developing nAChR subtype selective ligands (small molecules) and peptides for use in treating diseases that have nAChRs, including epilepsy, nicotine addiction, Alzheimer’s disease and possibly specific viral infections. Her lab uses molecular biology, cell culture and electrophysiology techniques.
Weltzin teaches numerous courses, including Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM 104), General Chemistry I (CHEM 105), and Information Storage and Transfer: Molecules and Pathways (CHEM 450). At the graduate level, she teaches Protein Structure and Function (CHEM 654) and Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (CHEM 460/670). In her courses, Weltzin encourages students to be highly engaged and to be able to apply the course material to everyday lived experiences. She uses active learning strategies, including peer-to-peer learning and open discussions, and encourages student engagement by creating a welcoming learning environment.
Visit Weltzin’s faculty website for more information. For more information about BLaST, visit its website.