Major in Biochemistry
Become a chemist • Learn laboratory techniques • Impact your community
John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
What are you looking for?
Become a chemist • Learn laboratory techniques • Impact your community
As a biochemistry major, you will be heavily mentored by faculty and access state-of-the-art labs and virtual reality technology to help you conduct and publish your research. You’ll receive the lab, instrument and safety training you need to enter the workforce or attend professional or medical school.
Start your applicationBiochemistry students learn to use and are certified on industry-standard lab equipment throughout their education.
Biochemistry students are heavily mentored by faculty beginning their freshman semester.
Under the guidance of faculty, biochemistry majors design and execute experiments and then write a thesis from their undergraduate research. JBU students have had their work published in major journals.
At JBU, biochemistry students gain an understanding of the foundational levels of chemistry and get to explore how these principles apply to the field of biology.
Students interested in chemistry have several degree options based on future plans.
Biochemistry students receive extensive safety training of chemical handling and hazardous waste while working in a hands-on environment from their first semester.
Work with faculty on their research initiatives or conduct your own undergraduate research projects to ultimately publish findings in national scientific journals.
Many biochemistry students choose to continue their study in a particular field of interest with an advanced degree.
Dr. Qian (Angie) Wang came to John Brown University in 2017 as Assistant Professor of Biology. She teaches courses in Cell Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology.
Dr. Wang works with undergraduate students on her ongoing research in neural mechanisms underlying mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Working in her newly built and furnished lab, she currently uses rodent forced swimming test combining with fluorescent microscopy to measure the activities of interneurons during depression-like behavior and under the influence of antidepressants. The lab team is inspecting several brain regions involved in depression and anxiety.
The research students participate in presenting review mini-lectures, published papers and their own lab results. They are exposed to basic techniques in neuroscience such as animal behavior, brain slicing and fluorescent microscopy. Research students are also involved in experimental design and other brain-storming activities.
Dr. Wang uses her spare time to continue her studies in Theology and to play musical instruments. She also enjoys listening to classical music, reading, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Associate Professor of Biology
Dr. Tim Wakefield joined the faculty of John Brown University in 2000. Dr. Wakefield's courses include Biological Sciences, Honors Biology, Animal Biology, Marine Biology, Human Anatomy, Animal Physiology, Global Environmental Stewardship, and Faith and Science.
Dr. Wakefield's passion is marine biology. His marine biology class allows students to interact with marine life close-up during Spring Break lab trips to the Florida Keys. Dr. Wakefield also enjoys teaching classes focused on Marine Biology for the Au Sable Institute during the summer.
Before coming to JBU, while completing his Master's degree, Dr. Wakefield trained Atlantic Bottle Nosed Dolphins at World's of Fun in Kansas City Missouri. His experience in animal training also led to a job in professional dog training for four years.
Department Chair, Biology; Professor of Biology
Dr. Susan Newton served as faculty at John Brown University from 1991 to 1994 and returned to teaching in 2005. Dr. Newton's courses include Organic Chemistry class, Earth Science, Physical Science, Inorganic Chemistry and Biochemistry classes.
Dr. Newton was drawn to the study of Chemistry because of the incredible evidence of design. As she continues learning in the field she more deeply affirms that what exists in nature did not come about by random coincidence.
The classroom is not just a place of work for Dr. Newton, but a place to fulfill a calling in her life. She appreciates that other professors in the division also see their position as something more than just a job.
To make learning chemistry fun, Dr. Newton incorporates practicality and competition to keep her students attention. She applies the principals of chemistry to things they will see in daily life, and creates competition through drills that require students to recall information taught in class.
Department Chair, Chemistry; Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Joel Funk came to John Brown University in 2009 as an Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Funk teaches courses including Biological Science, Ecology, Plant Biology, Virology, and Microbiology.
Dr. Funk's research focuses on how lung cells respond to infection by a coronavirus. Most respiratory coronaviruses infect the upper respiratory system, but his research has shown that they can also infect white blood cells that reside in the lung, alveolar macrophages. When these macrophages become infected they produce biochemical signals (cytokines) that aid in the immune response to a viral infection.
Biology caught Dr. Funk's interest because Biology is an almost endless frontier where the ability to discover is only limited by one's creativity. New technological advances have enhanced the ability of scientists to make huge strides in understanding the natural world. For example, in the area of microbiology, new DNA sequencing techniques have accelerated the ability to sequence genomes faster than ever before. This information can then in turn be used to discover new approaches to combating medical pathogens.
If he were not teaching at JBU, Dr. Funk would be interested in working for a Christian international development organization. His goal would be to use his scientific background to solve basic needs (food, clean water, shelter) that confront people in many parts of the world.
Professor of Biology
Equip yourself for a successful career and a life of purpose.
John Brown University
2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.