Janet Lindsley Receives ABE Lifetime Achievement Award

The “Dr. Janet Lindsley Lifetime Achievement Award”

Speech by Kim Dahlman, ABE president and award presenter

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great honor and immense pride that I present the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Biochemistry Educators to a truly exceptional individual, Dr. Janet Lindsley. This prestigious award recognizes a person who has demonstrated unparalleled excellence in biochemistry education through their contributions as a teacher, mentor, leader, curriculum developer, assessor, and scholar. Janet embodies all these qualities and more.

When I told Janet that she was the first recipient of this award, selected unanimously by the ABE Board, she was shocked and humbled. When I asked her for an updated CV so that I could properly introduce her today, she reminded me how honored she was but also said “if you realize that I haven’t done enough to deserve an award, then feel free to embellish as you see fit!”. My gosh, Janet, your CV is 46 pages long! As you will hear, and as you already know, there is no need to embellish.

Janet’s journey in the field of biochemistry began with her BS in Chemistry from Davidson College in 1984, followed by her PhD in DNA metabolism and DNA repair under the guidance of Dr. Michael Cox at UW-Madison. Her postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University further solidified her expertise and commitment to scientific inquiry. Early in her career, she made groundbreaking discoveries in the mechanisms of enzymes that utilize ATP and alter DNA structure, including the unexpected asymmetry in the reaction mechanism of type II topoisomerases. Did you all know that Janet holds a patent for a method for systematic identification of small molecule/protein interactions? Janet directed an R01 funded research laboratory for many years and then found her love for education.

For the past two decades, Janet’s career has been largely dedicated to the education of future physicians. As the Assistant Dean of Curriculum at the University of Utah School of Medicine for the past 14 years, she has been instrumental in designing and implementing innovative medical school curricula. Her significant accomplishments include the successful integration of problem-based and team-based learning, the increased use of formative assessments, and the development of a competency-based assessment and support system for medical students. I visited Janet (and her husband Stu) in Salt Lake City a couple of years ago, and I was so highly impressed with the curriculum revisions that she had implemented at the University of Utah. Notably, her colleagues spoke of her in such high regard…which was not surprising.

At the national level, Janet has co-led a nutrition working group within the International Association of Medical Science Educators, published recommended nutrition learning objectives for medical students, and participated in a commission on Advancing Nutrition Education for Medical Students and other clinicians. Her leadership in an international and interdisciplinary project on the role of basic science in physician professional identity formation has further cemented her influence in the field.

Her commitment to improving education extends beyond the medical curriculum. Janet has supported the diabetes and metabolism research community by teaching a graduate course on metabolic regulation, which has grown significantly under her guidance. She also led the development of a new Foundations of Molecular Biology course for incoming graduate students, showcasing her ability to innovate and enhance learning experiences at all levels of education.

Janet’s dedication to biochemistry education is further exemplified by her role as a founder of the ABE. Recognizing the need to improve medical biochemistry teaching and provide a forum for course directors, she helped organize the first Medical Biochemistry Education Strategies Workshop in 2008 and subsequently led the second workshop in 2009. Her leadership has been pivotal in shaping the direction and outreach of our organization. You see her at every meeting facilitating invigorating workshops such as “Metabolic Mayhem” and innovative resources, such as the Metabolic Map on which she worked with other ABE members across the US that is now being used at many medical schools as a nationally standardized resource during learning and assessments to (1) aid visual and mental organization, (2) promote deep learning and applied understanding, (3) decrease emphasis on memorization, (4) reduce anxiety on exams, and (5) aid recall. How many of you have a metabolic map hanging in your office? I know that I do!

Throughout her illustrious career, Janet has received numerous accolades, including the Gender Equity Award, the University Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Leonard W. Jarcho, MD, Distinguished Teaching Award. These honors are a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in education and her profound impact on students and colleagues alike.

As Janet embarks on her phased retirement, she continues to inspire and support the next generation of educators and researchers. Her legacy is one of innovation, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in biochemistry education. On a personal level, Janet has been an exceptional mentor and role model for me in my career. Not only is Janet a fantastic mentor and leader, but she truly cares about the people in her life.

It is my distinct pleasure to present the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Biochemistry Educators to Dr. Janet Lindsley. Your remarkable contributions have set a high standard for all of us, and we are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment to advancing biochemistry education.

Before I ask Janet to come up here to receive her award, I want to let her and all of you know that in addition to giving this inaugural award to Janet, that the Board has named this award the “Dr. Janet Lindsley Lifetime Achievement Award” in her honor. Janet, your achievements are truly extraordinary, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of your lifelong dedication to biochemistry and biochemistry education.

Thank you.