Lakeland College

Biochemists study the chemistry of life — the ways that life operates at its most fundamental levels. They explore and seek to understand the structure and function of all living things at the molecular level. As even a casual glance at the news indicates, though, the exploration of the smallest pieces of life opens up huge employment opportunities. The field of biochemistry is central to current groundbreaking work in genetics, bioengineering, and health care.

Biochemistry is the most specialized of Lakeland's natural science majors and asks its students to apply their knowledge from different fields to highly complex problems. Majoring in biochemistry allows one access to future graduate and professional study, as well as jobs in, among other areas, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, forensic science, agricultural research, and food science.

Students who major in biochemistry will be able to:

• understand and work with the central concepts of the field, including bioenergetics, biochemical pathways, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides, and proteins;
• formulate and solve biochemistry problems by applying the scientific method, particularly within a laboratory setting;
• write effective lab reports, which follow the form and meet the expectations of scientific journals; and
• perform lab practices safely and professionally, employing up-to-date computer and instrumentation technology.

Biochemistry Faculty

Click the links below to learn more about Lakeland's biochemistry faculty.

Brian Frink

Dr. Brian Frink, Associate Professor Chemistry and Physics, holds a doctorate from Ohio State University. He began at Lakeland in 1999. Currently, Brian is developing a project-oriented...
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Paul Pickhardt

Paul Pickhardt, a member of Lakeland's faculty since 2006 and current Natural Sciences Division Chair, was named Lakeland's winner of the Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in...
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Kathy Rath Marr

Kathleen Rath Marr joined Lakeland's faculty in 1987, but she grew up on Lakeland's campus, and today holds the position once held by her father, David Rath. With interests as wide ranging as...
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Jeffery Schwehm

Jeff Schwehm brings a truly student-centered approach to his work, both in and out of the classroom. Dr. Schwehm fosters student exploration and learning by serving as a mentor to several students...
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Gregory Smith

Greg Smith is always working to create new ways for his students to learn. A member of the college's faculty since 2003, Dr. Smith is co-founder of Lakeland Undergraduate Research Experience...
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