New Faculty Profile

Alan Schoenfeld
(Assistant Professor, Department of Biology)

A brief overview of background, area of expertise, research and teaching.

My research has focused on cancer genetics and tumor suppressor genes. Tumor suppressor genes are normal cellular genes that can cause cancer when they are mutated and lose their function. The question that arises for these genes is: What are their normal functions that are needed to block cancer? Most recently, I have investigated the BRCA2 gene, which is one of two genes known to be responsible for hereditary breast cancer. My research has delved into many fields within biology including genetics, molecular and cellular biology, and biochemistry.
My laboratory, which is currently being set up in the basement of the Science Building, will provide students with an opportunity to do basic research involving tumor suppressor genes. Hopefully, the students and I will unravel more clues about how these genes prevent cancer. More importantly, these students will learn to utilize and apply their science knowledge and see it “come to life”.

Why did you come to Adelphi? What has been your experience so far?

As a researcher, my efforts have been narrowly directed on a very specific problem. While this can be rewarding, I personally felt that something was lacking. Prior to my doctoral and post-doctoral studies, I had taken pleasure in teaching at the high school level. There is something special about observing a student’s intellectual and academic development and knowing that you have played a role. That was the main feature about Adelphi that attracted me when I visited-- everyone seemed to be genuinely concerned with the academic welfare of the students, especially in the Biology department. I could sense that high-quality education was being provided. I also felt a spirit of friendliness and comradery among the faculty and witnessed excellent rapport between faculty and students. I believed that Adelphi would be an excellent atmosphere for me to develop into a better educator and scientist. Since arriving here earlier this semester, I have not been disappointed and my early perceptions have not changed.

What do you wish to contribute? What do you feel strongly about in regards to teaching or your specialization?

We all spend our lifetime gathering knowledge and it is a waste if we don’t pass that information on in some way. I hope to pass on some of my knowledge of biology (and otherwise) and to do so in a manner that truly stimulates students intellectually. Also, I believe that education flows in both directions and that I can learn and be stimulated intellectually as much from my students as they can from me. That is the beautiful thing about passing on one’s knowledge: you don’t actually lose any of it, but actually get more of it.

What do you wish to impart to your students?

I would like to impart my love of science and the scientific process. I would like to give them an appreciation of how we come to know what we do: how lots of smaller pieces of research and the occasional bigger or unifying experiment all congeal into the theories and knowledge that currently exists. For instance, we recently celebrated what was billed as the 50th anniversary of DNA, referring to Watson and Crick solving the molecular structure of DNA. But there was a lot of research on DNA, by many unsung heroes, that led up to their landmark paper. I would like my students to know that while it is great to shoot for a Nobel Prize, you can still have an impact on science even if you aren’t awarded one.