Teresa Frisan is co-director alongside Erik Chorell for the Bachelor’s programme in Life Science at Umeå University. She is a professor in cell and molecular biology and conducts research on bacterial genotoxins. “These are my two passions. Teaching and research.”
Teresa Frisan in the lab at the Department of Molecular Biology.
ImageTomas BergströmWhen Teresa Frisan studied science in middle school she became fascinated with the human body´s hormonal system and the hypothalamus. That is when she realized that she wanted to pursue a career in molecular biology.
“The hypothalamus coordinates our hormones that regulate basically everything in our body. And so I thought: “That is just fantastic!”. It is about the complexity and the beautiful coordination that lies behind life.”
Today, Teresa conducts research on a special kind of bacterial toxin capable of harming genetic material, a so called genotoxin. These types of bacterial toxins have the ability to enter the body without being noticed by the immune system.
“It is like a trojan horse. These bacteria can trick the immune response and spread in the body without being perceived. We are working on going deeper into this, we want to understand more about why this happens.”
Teresa Frisan and Maria Lopez Chiloeches working together. Teresa likes to combine research and teaching.
ImageTomas BergströmTeresa explains that her research greatly benefits her job as a teacher. Since research requires her to constantly be up to date with the latest news in the science field, she can provide her students with the most relevant information.
“For example, in my research I attend many interesting seminars, then I can share the links with my students as well. Two years ago I had the possibility to attend a seminar by Ugur Sahin, who is one of the developers of the COVID-19 vaccine. So the students could listen to this person who has made a great development in science.”
Teresa teaches animal physiology and immunology in the Bachelor’s programme in Life Science. She has been teaching for 23 years and it is one of her great passions.
What motivates you as a teacher?
“It is to be able to give the new generation the power of knowledge. Knowledge is so important. If you have it, then nobody can manipulate you.”
What is your mindset when you are teaching?
“I always want my students to ask the question “why?”, and think for themselves, therefore my classes are interactive. I want them to use the knowledge of the course actively so they don´t forget.”
Teresa uses many interactive exercises. Roleplay games are a common theme. One of the games is called “The duel”.
“It´s a chess-like game! There are two groups. One plays the pathogen and the other one plays the immune system. So the pathogen attacks and the immune system needs to reply using the defense that the immune system needs against that particular pathogen.”
It reminds me of the role-playing game called Dungeons and Dragons. Do you know it?
“Yes, exactly! That is the idea. I love the series.”
Right now Teresa is developing a new game meant to help students understand cellular processes. Students will be cast as different cell components and work together to create a functioning cell.
Who should apply for this programme?
“Well, you should be excited about the topic, and to pose yourself with curiosity. That is the key thing! It is my mission to trigger your curiosity, and to make you even more curious and make you say: “This is what we don´t know, and this is what I will contribute in the future.”
“So, you are the future scientist generation!”
Interview & photo: Tomas Bergström