Janice Friend Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Janice Friend

Science Addition A329
540-458-4868
jfriend@wlu.edu
Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • VMI Jackson-Hope New Directions in Teaching and Research Grant, August 2019-July 2020
    • "Science for Citizens: Biology in the Core Curriculum," with Dr. Mary Beth Manjerovic
  • Yale University, New Haven, CT, 2009, 2005
    • Ph.D. and M.S., Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
      • Biochemical and genetic research on mitotic control of nonmuscle myosin II.
      • Elucidated the regulatory network governing a crucial cell-division myosin via genetics, light and electron microscopy, and protein purification techniques.
      • Discovered several novel regulatory features.
  • Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 2002
    • B.A., Chemistry, French Studies; summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa. Summer Undergraduate Research Scholar.

Professional Postions

  • Epic Systems Corporation: Technical Services Engineer, January 2009 – April 2010
    • Led four-person support team for Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
    • Interfaced between developers and end users to translate business needs into IT solutions
    • Managed and solved complex software and database issues, including performance, end-user optimization, and a two-version major upgrade
    • Learned two new programming languages and successfully developed new software for interfaces, reporting, and documentation
  • Grant Consultant and Editor, 2006-present
    • Provided structure and interest to grants in biology and chemistry fields. Successful grants with the NIH, American Cancer Society, and Jeffress Memorial Trust.
    • Grant consultant for Discovery Heights, a children’s museum project in Lexington
  • Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine: Editor-in-Chief, 2007-2008; Reviews Editor, 2006-2007; Editor-at-Large, 2005-2006
    • Wrote new, open-access author licensing agreement; designed and implemented new staff training and comprehensive editorial guidelines; re-designed website
    • Directly contributed to significant increase in Journal’s reach and impact factor

 

Teaching

  • 2019-present Washington and Lee University: Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 
    • Teaching upper-level Biochemistry, and Chemistry lab courses
  • Winter 2019 Washington and Lee University: Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology 
    • Taught an upper-level, workshop-based Biochemistry course for science majors, focused on helping students translate theoretical knowledge to real-life conditions
  • Fall 2014-present Virginia Military Institute: Instructor, Biology and Chemistry
    • Currently designing and piloting a curriculum reform of the required General Biology sequence for non-majors, developing innovative course modules and integrating formative assessment; working to guide and collaborate with an 8-person teaching staff
    • Awarded Jackson-Hope Grant (2019)
    • Engaged students by connecting material with science in everyday life
    • Taught first-year students from diverse backgrounds and developed study skills, reasoning, logic, and scientific writing

Selected Publications

Fission yeast Myo2: Molecular organization and diffusion in the cytoplasm. Friend JE, Sayyad WA, Arasada R, McCormick CD, Heuser JE, Pollard TD. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken). 2018 Apr;75(4):164-173. doi: 10.1002/cm.21425.

Service

Rockbridge Chavurah Hebrew School teacher, 2018-present
Waddell Elementary School PTA Pavilion Committee member, 2018-2019
PUBLICATIONS