Faculty Spotlight: Grace Leu Burke- Mentorship and medical laboratory science
by Jessica Degnan |
Grace Leu Burke, associate professor and program director of the Medical Laboratory Science program, brings a deep passion for research, diagnostic testing, and student mentorship to the classroom and beyond. Since joining UAA in 2016, she has taught key courses like Clinical Microbiology and Introduction to Research, using real-world public health surveillance research projects to help students gain confidence, ownership, and a sense of purpose in their work. After switching careers later in life, she reminds students: "You don’t need to have it all figured out before you’re twenty-five, you have a whole life to live."
Name: Grace Leu Burke
Title: Associate Professor
Unit: School of Allied Health
Hometown: Anoka, Minnesota
How long have you worked at UAA/in this position?: I started at UAA Fall 2016
Tell us about your job. What do you do? What makes it unique?:
I teach courses in the Medical Laboratory Science program such as Clinical Microbiology, Advanced Clinical Microbiology, and Introduction to Research. I am also the Program Director for the Medical Laboratory Science Department. What is unique about our program is that all students participate in our ongoing surveillance research on the impact of urban wildlife on public health. We follow the increase of antimicrobial resistance found in environmental bacteria and the risk of human colonization. Since the research is conducted directly into the clinical microbiology labs, students develop a deep sense of responsibility to the quality of their lab work, since it is not only for a grade, but represents true data used in risk assessment evaluation.
What do you love the most about your work?:
The confidence I see on a student's face as we review their research cultures and the pride they have in their work, knowing the impact it has on our community. They begin to develop professionalism and a sense of ownership to their lab work, that it is no longer just an assignment.
How do you contribute to student success?:
I believe students are engaged when they recognize the relevance of their classes. As the Medical Laboratory Science Program Director, I continuously work with my faculty and staff to provide an education that is aligned with industry standards, encourages student involvement, therefore creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and learning.
What is the most common question you receive at work?:
What is a medical laboratory scientist, which I reply "Without medical laboratory scientists, your doctor is just guessing."
What was your personal and/or professional journey that led you to working at UAA?:
Prior to working at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ, I was a senior medical laboratory scientist at Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC) in Salina, Kansas. Although I was content in my role as a clinical microbiologist and working in transfusion medicine, I began a hybrid graduate program at Michigan State University in Molecular Medicine and Immunology receiving my graduate degree in May 2016. In July 2016, I completed my 35th year working at SRHC, but instead of going to the awards banquet, my husband and I packed up our Ford F150 and we traveled the ALCAN to Anchorage to start my teaching career at UAA. I never did get my watch.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment while working here at UAA?:
My greatest accomplishment here at UAA happens every December and May when I see my students graduate and move onto their careers in clinical laboratory medicine. I feel such a sense a pride that I was a part of their success.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?:
I planned to be a nun. My husband said he saved me from the convent.
What advice would you give to youth interested in pursuing a career in your field?:
Medical Laboratory Science is a dynamic, challenging, exciting profession. Every day you perform high level of laboratory testing using sophisticated instrumentation and software that diagnose and treat disease. Because there are always new emerging bacteria, viruses, tumor markers, and rapid molecular advances, you are continually learning. Diagnostic testing is only possible through the dedication of medical laboratory scientists that provide validated, accurate results. It is never boring.
What is your favorite Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ activity or other hobbies? What do you love about them?:
I really enjoy cross country skiing. I am not fast, and only do the classic style, but it is so beautiful and peaceful when I glide along the trails during our Anchorage winter - except of course, this year which was a bit of a disappointment.
Who inspired or continues to inspire you and why?:
Both of my parents were a great encouragement to me and supported my interest in science, even if they did not always understand it. I still remember my mother driving me to science fair competitions, that always took all day. When we would get to the auditorium she would help me set up, give me a big hug, and then find a place to read for a few hours. It was their unconditional support that gave me the courage - their belief in me that let me believe in myself.
What has been your biggest challenge, personal or professional, and how did you overcome it?:
I have dyslexia which caused me to struggle to read, write and remember. I had to study twice as long as most of my peers. Even though I managed to get good grades, I still did not test well and there were no disability accommodations so standardized testing was always a struggle.
What is your favorite quote? Why?:
When there is just too much going on in my life - whether personal or professional, I would always remember the line from Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind: "I won't think about that now, I will go crazy if I think about that now. I will think about it tomorrow."
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.:
When we were planning our move from central Kansas to Anchorage, my husband was in charge of the road trip as I was too busy finishing my dissertation. But at one point, I actually Googled Salina, Kansas to Anchorage and was surprised that we had to go through Canada. I figured we would just go to Seattle and take a right. My sense of direction (or lack of) is really why my husband planned the trip, my dissertation was only an excuse.
Is there anything else you would like to share?:
I did not get my graduate degree until I was 50 and started a whole new career at 55. You do not need to have it all figured out before you are twenty-five. You have a whole life to live.
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