Dr. Tammy Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at Missouri State University, was profiled in the fall 2013 issue of Association for Women in Science Magazine. In the feature, Jahnke and one other AWIS member answered questions regarding the role of women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, and explained how they ventured into their respective areas.

Jahnke, whose primary focus is chemistry, related her interest in science back to childhood experiences: “When I was a young girl, I enjoyed being outdoors and learning about nature from my father and mother. I knew I wanted to learn more,” she said. “While in college I found my passion – teaching and research. In particular I have loved working with students in my research lab.”

As college dean, she advocates for getting students interested in the sciences at a young age. She also believes in sharing the significance of scientific exploration and findings to the region and the world.

“I wish that more women and men in STEM could speak to the public good of science and scientific research,” she said.