Ryan Sweeder
Fund Donor: Ryan Sweeder
LBC Faculty
STEM Scholars' Fund
Accessible poster PDF (opens in new window)
Fund Description
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STEM Scholars' Fund
About the Fund
Ryan Sweeder is a professor in Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University specializing in chemistry education research. He studies methods for increasing the learning in undergraduate general chemistry classes using out-of-class activities. He also runs the SPRING Scholars program, a program that helps students explore science career options and develop a professional network. Within his general chemistry classes, he brings his research to bear by providing students with lots of opportunities to engage with course content, apply it to real world scenarios, and gain frequent feedback on their level of understanding. Through these processes he shares his passion about understanding how molecular level interactions can be used to explain our everyday observations of materials, their properties, and how they interact. This award is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.
Being able to help support students from a broad range of backgrounds is key to science progressing efficiently.
A Conversation with the Donor
What was your goal in establishing this fund?
To be able to support students focused on future careers in STEM fields
Who is someone who inspires you?
Many of my teachers and professors. More recently I’ve been really inspired by Daniel Kahneman and his insights into how humans think.
What do you think will be a major research breakthrough in the next decade?
Personalized medicine and CRISPR related medical procedures.
Why is giving back to LBC important to you?
Education has been a passion and being able to help support students from a broad range of backgrounds is key to Science progressing efficiently.
Why is science important to you?
It is the most effective way to gain knowledge about the world around us and improve life
What is your favorite book?
Thinking Fast and Slow was highly influential. The Omnivore's Dilemma may be one of my most thought provoking/life changing.
What is something you like to do in your free time?
Playing ultimate, playing volleyball or kayaking
What is your ideal Saturday afternoon?
Hiking on a cliffside trial overlooking water with friends.
What do you think is the world’s best invention?
Vaccines
What is the most surprising talent you have?
juggling
Where was the coolest place you have traveled?
So many amazing places in New Zealand during my sabbatical
Someplace you would like to travel once COVID is in the past?
Back to New Zealand and Australia
