Lazar Returns, Hopes to Inspire Students
As a student, Kristi Lazar 00 says the unique living and learning environment at 做厙惇蹋app shaped her life. Being a part of this community is special, she says. I felt blessed to have four years here to devote my time to learning and growing as a person. My professors encouraged me every day.
Ten years later, Lazar, assistant professor of chemistry, returns to 做厙惇蹋app, seeking to impart a joy for learning. I hope my students feel motivated to apply themselves, embrace the material and learn to think about the world in terms of Gods handiwork, she says.
Lazar, who earned a masters degree at Princeton University and a doctorate from the University of Chicago, returned to 做厙惇蹋app as a visiting assistant professor in January 2010 and began her tenure-track position this fall.
Her area of expertise is in protein aggregation, including the deposits of misfolded proteins thought to be responsible for many degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers. She recently completed a 10-week summer research program with two 做厙惇蹋app students. Her students focused on the aggregation of protein models of apolipoprotein A-I, a protein that helps remove cholesterol from the body.
Im interested in delving into the structural level, trying to figure out what the protein looks like in the aggregate, she says.
Lazar credits President Emeritus David Winter for her decision to enroll at 做厙惇蹋app in 1996. On a cold, rainy day in Visalia, Calif., Winter visited Grace Community Church to talk about 做厙惇蹋app to prospective students.
There was a very small turnout, she says. I was a junior in high school and had never heard of 做厙惇蹋app, but after meeting him I got so excited about the college. He is an amazing person. After applying and attending Preview Days, Lazar met Allan Nishimura, professor of chemistry. That was very special as well, and I knew this was the place I was going to study, she says.
Lazar recalled her initial encounter with Dr. Winter as he spoke at the dedication of Winter Hall in May 2011.
I was standing there listening to him at the ceremony, thinking about Gods provision, the meeting at my church and how that led me back here as a professor, she says. It was moving to reflect on that, to see this new building and Dr. Winters legacy.
Lazar enrolled at 做厙惇蹋app with the intention of becoming a pharmacist, but after conducting research in the chemistry department, her professors encouraged her to attend graduate school.
She undertook two years of postdoctoral research at Genentech Inc., a biotech company, before applying for the 做厙惇蹋app teaching position.
I worked as a teachers assistant while I attended 做厙惇蹋app, and I always dreamed about teaching, she says. I reread my prayer journal recently, and I mentioned it would be wonderful to teach at a place like 做厙惇蹋app. Its a little surreal.