Bridging
the Gap in
RNA Education:

Building Networks to Support, Educate and Train the Next Generation of RNA Scientists

Tuesday, May 27, 2025
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The RNA 2025 pre-meeting RNA Education Workshop will address current day obstacles in delivering effective RNA science education across the spectrum of education levels (K-graduate school) and discuss mechanisms to overcome these obstacles and excel at preparing future RNA researchers, scientists and educators. Bridging the Gap in RNA Education will navigate three critical barriers faced commonly by RNA instructors across diverse educational settings – the lack of cross-disciplinary networks, ineffective pedagogical tools, and a poorly accessible infrastructure – and discuss methods to address these resource gaps.  This workshop includes talks by Tracy Johnson (UCLA), Aaron Hoskins (University of Wisconsin), and Eric Wagner (University of Rochester) followed by interactive discussion sessions where participants will share experiences, explore strategies, and contribute to actionable solutions.

Participants in this workshop will:

• Learn of major impediments to delivery of RNA science education in the various tiers of educational settings
• Have the opportunity to discuss experiences and unique obstacles they have encountered in their teaching
• Explore strategies for effective teaching at all education levels
• Share insights to address resource gaps

The RNA Education Workshop aims to foster collaboration and the exchanging of ideas! Attendees will collaborate in building a supportive network for RNA educators that, in turn, will help fill gaps in available educational tools and resources.

Feedback gathered in the workshop will directly support efforts by the OpenRNA network to generate open educational resources for the RNA education community (pending support from the US National Science Foundation). Come help us build a network to address key needs and shape the future of RNA education!

Who should attend the Bridging the Gap in RNA Education Workshop?

• RNA educators seeking insight and resources to enhance their effectiveness in the classroom or laboratory
• RNA researchers eager to contribute and benefit from a collaborative RNA education network
• Faculty at research-intensive institutions looking to streamline the recruitment and training process in their laboratories
• Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers interested in incorporating cutting edge tools in their education and mentorship
• Faculty at teaching-focused institutions seeking innovative approaches to incorporating RNA science educational materials into their courses

Agenda:

Expected goals and tangibles from RNA 2025 RNA Education Workshop:

• Address major challenges in delivering effective education in RNA science
  Identify and explore obstacles in resources, pedagogy, and infrastructure that impact RNA education across diverse educational settings
• Develop Effective Instructional Strategies
  Discover community efforts to develop teaching techniques tailored to RNA education, from high school to postdoctoral training, and enhanced practical learning experiences
• Build a Collaborative RNA Education Network
  Foster connections among educators and researchers to create a sustainable community focused on advancing RNA education and sharing resources
• Exchange Ideas and Solutions
  Participate in discussions to share insights, experiences, and strategies, contributing to actionable solutions for real-world challenges in RNA education
• Workshop participants will be encouraged to participate in developing the OpenRNA initiative, a network that looks to reform RNA education by publishing accessible and open RNA-related educational resources.

Workshop Organizers and Confirmed Speakers

Organizers:

Professor Amy Cooke is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania. She has taught a range of classes to Haverford undergraduates including developing RNA-focused courses and research experiences that enhance students’ experimental, analytical, and communication skills. Her research interests include the study of gene regulation by RNA-binding proteins necessary for essential processes like proliferation, amino acid homeostasis and autophagy. Additionally, she collaborates with RNA researchers through the RNA@PUI salon to share pedagogical tools, mentor junior scientists, and advance RNA education across institutions.

Professor Nik Tsotakos is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, Pennsylvania. He has taught a wide range of classes to undergraduates, including Biology of RNA and Bioinformatics. His research interests include the study of gene regulation by non-coding RNAs in disease states. He co-organizes the RNA@PUI RNA Salon and serves in the leadership team of the Genomics Education Partnership.

Professor Juliane Strauss-Soukup is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Creighton University (Omaha, NE) and also serves as the Associate Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship. She has taught a wide variety of courses to undergraduates, including General Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Nucleic Acid Biochemistry. Her research interests include investigating the structure and function of non-coding RNAs with most projects focused on riboswitch RNAs. She has thoroughly enjoyed meeting other RNA researchers through the RNA@PUI RNA Salon and she is a long time elected division representative with the national Council on Undergraduate Research organization.

Professor Megan Filbin is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Director of the Center for Advanced STEM Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver (Denver, Colorado). She primarily teaches biochemistry courses, including forensic biochemistry and an advanced lab course focused on RNA structure and function. Her research group explores protein synthesis regulation by structured viral RNAs and disordered cellular proteins. She co-organizes the RNA@PUI Salon and leads the supergroup meetings. She is also the Co-Director for a collaborative REU in RNA and Genome Biology with the RNA Bioscience Initiative at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus.

Speakers:

Professor Aaron Hoskins is the Wasson Professor of Biochemistry and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He has taught introductory biochemistry to UW undergraduates for almost 15 years and mentored more than 50 students in undergraduate research. He is an author of the recently published textbook “Lehninger Biochemistry- Core Concepts and Applications, 1^st Edition”. Dr. Hoskins will share insights into the textbook publishing process and creating accessible content

Professor Eric Wagner is a Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at The University of Rochester. He is the Associate Director of the Center for RNA Biology at Rochester and is a Co-Director of the NYS Center of Excellence in RNA Research and Therapeutics. He has taught biochemistry and RNA biology to learners at the undergraduate, graduate, and medical school levels for almost 20 years. He has published nearly 100 papers and his lab works on RNA processing and transcriptional control. Dr. Wagner will present two specific vignettes where limitations in university infrastructure obscure RNA educational goals and how those       limitations were overcome.

Workshop Registration and Cost

The RNA Education Workshop is open to all RNA 2025 meeting registrants who are interested in enhancing RNA education whether in the classroom or in a lab setting.

The RNA Education Workshop is sponsored, in part, by the RNA Society and supported by the RNA Society Education Committee but is an ancillary event to the RNA Society Annual Meeting. The registration fee is $25 and will be added to your RNA 2025 registration fee total. The registration fee is required to offset costs not covered by the RNA Society and/or outside sponsors. Beverages and snacks will be provided during the event and a Certificate of Participation will be available to all registered workshop attendees.

For those unable to pay the registration fee, a limited number of registration waivers are available. Waivers can be requested by emailing the RNA Society Education Committee (RNAeducation@nullrnasociety.org). and briefly describing your financial need. Please obtain your waiver prior to registering for the event.  Waivers will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.