Janet Andersen Award

Janet Andersen

Janet Andersen was a beloved member of the Hope College Mathematics Department, and former director of the Midstates Consortium, whose interdisciplinary emphasis in education and research had a large influence on science and mathematics education at Hope and beyond. Unfortunately, she died in an automobile accident in 2005. Established in 2008, the Janet Andersen Award honors her memory. Each year, faculty members from Consortium schools who exemplify Janet’s outstanding work in undergraduate education and research are nominated by faculty colleagues, or administrators from their own school. Deans and Department Chairs are encouraged to recognize the outstanding faculty in their programs by nominating them for this award. At its annual spring meeting the Midstates Executive Committee selects a nominee having a background aligned with the Biological and Psychological Sciences and another with a background in the Physical Sciences, Math and Computer Science. The Janet Andersen awardees are honored at our autumn undergraduate research symposia where they give a lecture on a subject of their chosing.

A nomination package should include the nominee’s CV and a nomination letter outlining the nominee’s achievements in mentoring research students and in teaching. This material should be sent by email to Midstates Director Pamela Kittelson (midstatesdirector@gmail.com).

  • 2025 Janet Andersen Award Recipients

    Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science

    Dr. Amanda Nienow is a Professor of Chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College

    Dr. Nienow was selected for the Janet Andersen Award, in part, because of her excellence in teaching and in mentoring undergraduate research collaborations.  Dr. Nienow teaches a range of courses from first-year Principles of Chemistry to upper-level courses like Physical and Environmental Chemistry. She redesigned the physical chemistry curriculum to include application, scientific communication, and professional development, transforming the course from one that students dread to an experience they enjoy. Dr. Nienow’s active research lab studies photodegradation of compounds, like the herbicide dicamba, in the environment. She has active collaborations in France and Minnesota, and undergraduates are co-authors on her publications.  Amanda has earned numerous grants from the NSF-RUI, the Sherman-Fairchild Foundation, IUSE, among others. This funding supports her lab as well as undergraduate research across the Gustavus Science and Mathematics Division. Notably, she catalyzed the development of the summer Second Year Research Experience for Gustavus students. She supports and directs the summer student-faculty collaboration called the First Year Research Experience Program. Dr. Nienow’s love of chemistry shines through in outreach programming she developed called ‘Science on Saturday’ and ‘ChemistryNight,’ which are one-day events for local K-12 students. At Gustavus, she is Director of Undergraduate Research and Co-Chair of the Chemistry Department.

    Biological Sciences and Psychology

    Dr. Elizabeth De Stasio, is the Raymond H. Herzog Professor of Science in the Biology Department and Biochemistry Program, Lawrence University  

    Dr. Elizabeth De Stasio was chosen as the Janet Andersen Awardee for her excellence in undergraduate teaching, research and service to science education.  Dr. De Stasio transformed courses from introductory biology to molecular biology and genetics, making them more active environments accessible to all students. She also incorporated contemporary topics with a research focus, providing students the scaffolding to communicate as scientists in writing and discussing the primary literature.  Specifically, she pioneered the publication of educational primers for genetics, which prepare students to read and critically evaluate research articles. The primers introduce concepts clearly so that the literature becomes more tractable.  Her excellence as an undergraduate mentor has been
    rewarded with numerous teaching awards.  Dr. De Stasio repeatedly earned funding from HHMI, NSF-LSAMP, NIH and Sherman-Fairchild, often to support underrepresented students in STEM.  She
    developed a vibrant research lab, mentoring more than 120 students in original research related to neurobiology and genetics. She also has published widely in the scholarship of teaching and learning
    contributing many ideas for research-based activities in labs.  Beth has served as an Associate Editor of Genetics and elected to their board, and in roles dedicated to improving the way science is taught
    nationally at both the high school and undergraduate level.