Liskin Swint-Kruse, Ph.D.

Baylor B.S. Chemistry 1990
Currently Interim Chair and Professor, Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kansas
University Medical Center

My time at Baylor University

"My time as a Baylor Undergraduate Chemistry major prepared me well for graduate school and a career in academic research.  I particularly remember the Honors General Chemistry courses taught by Dr. Pennington and the Biochemistry courses taught by Drs. Scouten and Trawick.  Because of these courses, I was one of the few students in my first year graduate class with experience taking open-book, problem-solving exams.  I also did independent research with Dr. Scouten.  In addition to learning research skills, a key take-home was learning how to read scientific papers and books.  I had to unlearn speed reading!  The importance of undergraduate research cannot be overstated.  I recently completed 7 years’ service on the graduate admissions committee at KUMC and as Associate Director of our first year program; prior research experience is the best predictor of graduate school success.  Even for those who pursue other careers, independent research teaches problem solving skills that are widely transferable."

EDUCATION AND APPOINTMENTS

• Baylor University, Waco, TX, B.S. Chemistry, 1990
• University of Iowa, Iowa City, Ph.D., Biochemistry, 1995
• W.M. Keck Center for Computational Biology, Postdoctoral Fellow, 1995 - 1999
• Rice University, Biochemistry & Cell Biology Robert A. Welch Postdoctoral Fellow, 2000 - 2002
• Rice University, Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Research Scientist, 2002 - 2004
• University of Kansas Medical Center, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2004 - 2009
• University of Kansas Medical Center, Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2009 - 2017
• University of Kansas Medical Center, Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2017 - 2018
• University of Kansas Medical Center, Director of Graduate Studies, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2009 - 2018
• University of Kansas - Lawrence, Molecular Biosciences, Courtesy Appointment, 2009 - present
• University of Kansas Medical Center, Professor and Interim Chair, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2018 - present