University of Minnesota Morris Assistant Professor of Biology Rachel Johnson has earned the 2020 UMN Morris Alumni Association Teaching Award. Johnson stands out among peers for her commitment to undergraduate teaching and learning. An immunologist, Johnson is a particularly appropriate choice this year.
"Given our current state of affairs, it is hard to overestimate the impact Dr. Johnson's course development on vaccines, epidemics and now pandemics has had," nominators write. "The particularly wonderful aspect of these courses is that they are for all our liberal arts students—not just science students. The need could not be greater, given Dr. Johnson's emphasis on critical thinking and communication skills development."
"Rachel has made extraordinary contributions to her students and the campus, providing an exemplary model of liberal arts learning both within and well beyond the study of biology," adds Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean Janet Schrunk Ericksen.
Education and Expertise
Johnson is an assistant professor of biology and a member of the Masonic Cancer Center. She holds a PhD in immunology from the Mayo Graduate School and a BA in biochemistry and molecular biology from Boston University. Her areas of expertise include immunology, cancer biology, and molecular biology.
About the UMMAA Teaching Award
The University of Minnesota Morris Alumni Association established the UMMAA Teaching Award in 1997 to honor individual faculty members for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education. Learn more at alumni.morris.umn.edu.
