Dr. Preeti Shinde serves as an associate professor of biology at Dordt University. She has worked for over eight years both in person and online as a zoology lecturer in India. Her areas of interest include zoology and developmental biology.
“I have always wanted to work at a Christian university that supports the integration of faith with academics,” Shinde says. “In my search, I found that Dordt University stands out for its exceptional reputation in this regard. I am eager to teach biology and guide students to Christ-centered living in a unique environment that promotes intellectual and spiritual growth.”
While at Dordt, Dr. Shinde has collaborated with researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Research Laboratory to identify heat-resistant genes in plants. Dordt is one of 9 schools participating in the Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE).
Students in Shinde’s genetics lab course have been studying plants’ response to high-heat treatment to identify genes that allow plants to survive extreme heat. Shinde says that while the specific topic will be covered later in the semester, the project has helped cultivate students’ interest in research. Additionally, “since the project requires continuous monitoring of the specimen plant growth, it has fostered a sense of ownership and investment in their learning,” says Shinde.
Education
- Ph.D., Shivaji University, Maharashtra.
- M.Phil., Shivaji University, Maharashtra.
- M.S. in Zoology: Cell Biology, M.L.S. University, Rajasthan.
- B.S. in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry, Rajasthan University.