"Recognizing Remarkable Women at
the University of Kentucky" -
Dr. Rebecca E. Dutch serves the University of Kentucky as Associate Professor
in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. Ina
discipline dominated by men, Dr. Dutch leads a lab of nine women, inspiring
her seven female students and on female research assistant to develop the
knowledge, experience, skill and confidence required for making independent
research decisions and backing up those decisions when questioned. Dr.
Dutch encourages critical thinking as she guides research projects, scientific
writing, and instructs her students in effective public speaking, all
essential skills required for professional success, obtaining independent
funding, fellowships, and presenting research at meetings and professional
conferences.
In
addition to Dr. Dutch's primary appointment as principal investigator and
professor, she serves on 17 graduate student committees and the Integrated
Biomedical Science program admissions committee. Dr. Dutch serves on
several departmental and university committees, including a committee to
evaluate the child care needs at the medical center, and Dr. Dutch
participates regularly in a women's leadership training group, Circles of
Power (COPS).
Dr. Dutch
is not only a faithful mentor, but she serves as an inspiring role model for
her female students. Dr. Dutch has advanced her professional career,
built an impressive CV and raised three incredibly well balanced boys, ages
7, 12, and 15, with her supportive husband. It is rare to find a
successful female scientist capable of maintaining a healthy balance between
her professional life and her family life. Dr. Dutch provides hope for female students who wish to have both a career and a family, because she has
achieved both without either appearing neglected.
As a
mother and active community member, Dr. Dutch commits her time outside of her
professional work to serve as homeroom parent, science fair judge, volunteer
reader, and Arts and Science Day presenter at her local elementary school.
For her church, Dr. Dutch teaches Sunday school and shares her talent as a
brilliant pianist as the Youth Choir accompanist.
Dr. Rebecca Dutch inspires every woman
in the biochemistry department by demonstrating how it is possible for a woman
to develop a successful career doing what she loves without sacrificing her
personal life.
