The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine proudly celebrates Dr. Janet Lindsley, Assistant Dean of Curriculum, as the recipient of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Biochemistry Educators (ABE). The ABE Board unanimously selected Dr. Lindsley for this honor, which recognizes sustained excellence in teaching, mentorship, curriculum development, and leadership in biochemistry education.
In a fitting tribute, the award has also been named in her honor — the Dr. Janet Lindsley Lifetime Achievement Award — cementing her legacy as a transformative leader in the field.
A Career of Impact
Dr. Lindsley’s career began with a BS in Chemistry from Davidson College and a PhD in DNA metabolism and repair from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She completed postdoctoral training at Harvard University before directing an NIH-funded research lab focused on enzymes and DNA structure — even earning a patent for a method to identify small molecule/protein interactions.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Lindsley has dedicated herself to medical education. As Assistant Dean of Curriculum for the past 14 years, she has led wide-reaching curriculum reform at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. Her work has helped implement problem-based and team-based learning, formative assessment strategies, and a competency-based approach to student support and evaluation.
National Leadership
Dr. Lindsley is a founding member of the ABE and helped launch the first Medical Biochemistry Education Strategies Workshop in 2008. Her leadership has been central to the organization’s growth, and her innovative resources — including the widely adopted Metabolic Map — are now used by medical schools across the country to enhance learning and reduce test anxiety.
Her national and international work includes co-authoring nutrition learning objectives for medical students, contributing to a commission on advancing nutrition education, and participating in a global project on the role of basic science in physician identity formation.
In addition to her contributions to medical education, Dr. Lindsley has strengthened graduate education by developing courses in molecular biology and metabolic regulation, helping future scientists develop a strong foundation in biochemistry.
A Respected Educator and Mentor
Dr. Lindsley’s impact has been recognized with numerous awards, including the University Distinguished Teaching Award, the Gender Equity Award, and the Leonard W. Jarcho, MD, Distinguished Teaching Award. Colleagues and students alike describe her as a dedicated educator, an insightful leader, and a generous mentor.
As she begins phased retirement, her influence remains deeply felt — at the University of Utah and across the broader medical education community.
“Janet’s contributions have set a new standard for biochemistry education,” said one ABE Board member. “Naming this award in her honor ensures that her legacy will continue to inspire educators for years to come.”
Congratulations to Dr. Janet Lindsley on this well-deserved recognition of a truly extraordinary career.