McNeil receives Board of Human Sciences Undergraduate Research Mentor Award

Dr. Elizabeth McNeill, Assistant Professor for the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) was awarded the 2021 Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, from the Board of Human Sciences of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). The award recognizes a faculty member in the human sciences for exceptional performance as a research mentor to undergraduate students. 

McNeill’s research centers on exploring how environmental factors such as diet can impact gene expression underlying neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease.  Her research is built on the common theme of being a mentor to the students that conduct research in her laboratory, since her start as a graduate student at University of Wisconsin – Madison. In total she has mentored 40 undergraduates with respect to research, of which 20 have been since starting at Iowa State four years ago. Her approach to mentoring undergraduates goes well beyond the technical aspects of conducting research, as she stresses the development of critical thinking skills, research independence, and a sense of teamwork and community in the laboratory.

“McNeill embraces the tripartite mission of a land-grant university: teaching students in the classroom leading to research opportunities locally and abroad, providing service with mock interviews helping with professional development, and bringing the latest evidence-based research into the classroom,” the Board of Human Sciences released in a statement.

A special presentation was hosted virtually to award McNeill and the rest of the 2021 Board of Human Science Awardees.

Information provided through the Board of Human Sciences — Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities