Student Organizations in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

There are many ways to get involved at Otterbein both on and off campus.

Opportunities and organizations that chemistry majors may be especially interested in include the following:

Alpha Epsilon Delta 
AED is the national Pre-Professional Health Honor Society. Otterbein’s AED chapter offers informational sessions, activities, and service opportunities for all pre-professional health students. Those Otterbein students meeting specific GPA requirements may apply to become AED members for life and help run the chapter.

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 
The ASBMB Student Chapter is devoted to building a national community of undergraduate students and faculty members for the advancement of biochemistry and molecular biology research, education and science outreach. Our mission is to provide networking and career-development opportunities at regional and national levels, access to research and science outreach, as well as grants and awards to facilitate these aims. Otterbein has won Most Outstanding Chapter of the Year three times, more than any other school. Past outreach events have included educational activities at the Fall Harvest Festival, Earth Festival, Otterthon, and more. Our chapter also has weekly BMB Tea meetings provided by students and faculty, for students and faculty to come and mingle, drink tea/coffee, and discuss current events.

Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) 
This organization allows students with an interest in chemistry to become better acquainted, secure the intellectual stimulation that arises from professional association, obtain experience in preparing and presenting technical material before chemical audiences, foster a professional spirit among the members, to instill a professional pride in the chemical sciences, and foster an awareness of the responsibilities and challenges of the modern chemist. The members also have a focus on chemistry outreach to K-12 and campus audiences.

The ACS Student Chapter was recognized based on their programs and activities in 2019-2020 by the ACS National Society Committee on Education. They received the second-highest award – commendable.

American Society for Microbiology 
The Otterbein student chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) offers a wide range of opportunities to get involved within the scientific community. The Otterbein ASM has a history of hosting and visiting regional meetings to share and experience current research being conducted. In addition, multiple speakers have been brought in by the organization to speak to students on research being conducted, potential career pathways in microbiology, and information on graduate and medical school. Members have also been able to participate in several scientific outreach opportunities to share information in the sciences to the general public. Becoming involved in ASM allows students to grow within a scientific community and learn how to participate in scientific communication.

Women in Science 
Women in Science hopes to reach Otterbein’s community and broaden horizons of the next generation. Members will gain a greater understanding of the contributions of women in any and all sciences. The group also provides an open environment for members to share and explore interests and career paths within the sciences. Major focuses of Women in Science include: bringing female speakers to campus, holding discussion and networking opportunities following talks, and engaging with the local community. Involvement of the organization consists of participation in OTTERTHON, Girl Day, and outreach at local elementary schools.

Global Brigades 
Global Brigades is a student-led organization that travels once a year to Panama, Nicaragua, Ghana, or Honduras to set up medical clinics with the help of student volunteers and medical professionals. Global Brigades is run using a holistic model, where immediate medical care is provided, and a long-term health solution project is completed. Anyone is able to participate, and no medical experience is needed!

Plan-It Earth 
This program takes an activist approach to addressing environmental issues, with a focus on fostering environmentally friendly practices and awareness on campus and in the community. Plan-It Earth plans activities that encourage and challenge Otterbein students to make steps to reduce, re-use, and recycle. This group also plans activities to give back to our earth, such as picking up litter, planning recycling projects and initiatives, and volunteering at Otterbein Lake.

Tutors and Teaching Assistants
Students who have completed a class with an A or B may gain leadership and teaching experience by serving as peer tutors, supplemental instructors and laboratory teaching assistants for that course in later years. Peer tutors work one-on-one with students, while supplemental instructors (SI) help groups of students with class material. Laboratory teaching assistants work with the laboratory instructor to set-up experiments and address student questions in the lab.