Faculty Spotlight | Dr. Glen Borchert

Not Three-Leaf Clovers: Bridging Education and Discovery

In Dr. Glen Borchert’s BLY445/IDL590 Computational Genetics course, students don’t just learn about research, they actively participate in it. Dr. Borchert’s course design mirrors the collaborative nature of professional research. Students engage in every stage of the scientific process, from designing experiments and collecting data to writing and publishing research papers. This emphasis on active participation in research has led to remarkable achievements. Undergraduates in the course have co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as Nucleic Acids Research. In total, the course has resulted in 73 unique undergraduate and 14 graduate authorships across 12 peer-reviewed publications, evidence of Dr. Borchert’s commitment to integrating real scientific research into undergraduate education.

Beyond the lab and classroom, Dr. Borchert’s approach to discovery is reflected in an unusual talent: finding four-leaf clovers. He explains, “I approach identifying novel genes, noncoding RNAs, or pretty much anything, the same way that I search for four-leaf clovers. I don’t look for four leaves. I look for ‘not three.’ When I analyze a next-generation sequencing transcriptomic dataset, the first thing I do is remove everything known. I find what’s left is always more interesting and where real discovery lies.” This mindset of seeking what stands out rather than what is expected defines both his research philosophy and his teaching style.

Dr. Borchert encourages his students to think critically, question assumptions, and approach research with curiosity. His guiding principle aligns with a well-known quote attributed to Buddha: “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and common sense.” This emphasis on independent thought and scientific skepticism prepares students not only for careers in research but also for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and discovery.

Through his innovative teaching, dedication to student success, and unique perspective on research, Glen Borchert continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, one experiment, one paper, and perhaps even one four-leaf clover at a time.

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