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Mary A. Bedell

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Associate Professor
Ph.D. (1990) University of Chicago

I came to UGA in 1996 after completing postdoctoral training in mouse developmental genetics at the NCI-FCRDC in Frederick, MD. Until 2008 I ran a research lab that focused on the role of Kit ligand (Kitl) in an intercellular signaling pathway in mice that is required for the development of germ cells, erythroid cells, mast cells and melanocytes. We characterized the molecular and phenotypic defects in a large allelic series of Kitl mouse mutants and used these mutant mice to further dissect Kitl function during germ cell development.

In 2008, I shut down my research laboratory and have since focused on teaching. My main goals in teaching are (1) to create an environment where the students want to learn, (2) to give the students the tools needed to meet the challenges I give them, and (3) to promote long-term interest in learning. One of the main strategies I use in the classroom is to present the material with as much enthusiasm as possible. I believe that if a teacher gives the impression of being bored with the material, the students will also be bored and will have little or no desire to learn.  I want students to leave my class wanting to apply their new knowledge and wanting to learn even more. Fortunately, I truly love genetics and continuously add information about new research findings to my courses.

My teaching themes are summarized best in my instructor evaluation from a GENE 3200 student.  “Her positive attitude and passion for genetics are infectious.  I appreciate that she values application over regurgitation.  I admire her most as a professor because she genuinely wants her students to succeed and goes to great lengths to help us.  She makes us want to learn.” 

Recently, I have redesigned my GENE 3200 course, which has a large enrollment, to incorporate more active learning strategies. In addition, I have greatly enjoyed developing a new Honors version of GENE 3200 and am currently developing a new upper level course in cancer genetics (GENE 4540).

 

Selected Publications:
  • Guenther, C.A., B. Tasic, L. Luo, M. A. Bedell, and D. M. Kingsley (2014). A molecular basis for classic blond hair color in Europeans. Nature Genetics 46: 748 – 752.
  • Mahakali Zama, A., F.P. Hudson, III and M.A. Bedell. 2005. Analysis of hypomorphic KitlSl mutants suggests different requirements for KITL in proliferation and migration of mouse primordial germ cells. Biol. Repro. 73: 639-647.
  • Justice, M. and M. Bedell (eds.) 2004. Mutagenesis of the Mouse Genome. Georgia Genetics Review. Vol 2. Kluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Bedell, M.A. and A. Mahakali-Zama. 2004. Genetic analysis of Kit ligand functions during mouse spermatogenesis. J. Androl. 25: 188-199.
  • Rajaraman, S., W.S. Davis, A. Mahakali-Zama, H.K. Evans, L.B. Russell and M.A. Bedell. 2002. An allelic series of mutations in the Kit ligand (Kitl) gene of mice. I. Identification of point mutations in seven ENU-induced KitlSteel alleles. Genetics 162: 331-340.
  • Rajaraman, S., W.S. Davis, A. Mahakali-Zama, H.K. Evans, L.B. Russell and M.A. Bedell. 2002. An allelic series of mutations in the Kit ligand (Kitl) gene of mice. II. Effects of point mutations on survival and peripheral blood cells of KitlSteel mice. Genetics 162: 341-353.
  • Bedell, M.A., N.A. Jenkins and N.G. Copeland. 1997. Mouse models of human disease: Part I: Techniques and resources for genetic analysis in mice. Genes & Dev. 11: 1-10.
  • Bedell, M.A., D.A. Largaespada, N.A. Jenkins and N.G. Copeland. 1997. Mouse models of human disease. Part II: recent progress and future directions. Genes & Dev. 11: 11-43.
  • Bedell, M.A., N.A. Jenkins, and N.G. Copeland. 1996. Good genes in bad neighborhoods. Nature Genetics 12: 229-232.
  • Bedell, M.A., C.I. Brannan, E.P. Evans, N.G. Copeland, N.A. Jenkins and P.J. Donovan. 1995. DNA rearrangements located over 100 kb 5' of the Steel (Sl) coding region in Steel-panda and Steel-contrasted mice deregulate Sl expression and cause female sterility by disrupting ovarian follicle development. Genes & Dev. 9: 455-470.
Of note:

Special Emphasis Panel; Reproductive Genomics, NIH, 2001 and 2007

Graduate Affairs Committee, Department of Genetics, 2004 - 2007

Cellular, Molecular, and Integrative Reproduction Study Section (CMIR), NIH, 2004 - 2008

Graduate Coordinator, Department of Genetics,

Special Emphasis Panel; Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences, NIH, 2008

Basic Life Sciences Faculty Research Grants Committee, OVPR, 2008 - 2011

Undergraduate Affairs Committee, Department of Genetics, 2009 - present 

Curriculum Committee, Division of Biological Sciences, 2009 - 2016     

Chair, Undergraduate Affairs Committee, Department of Genetics, 2010 - 2016     

Senior Teaching Fellow, Center for Teaching and Learning, 2012 - 2013     

Member of Teaching Academy, University of Georgia, 2012 - present

Franklin Senate Curriculum Committee, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, 2013 - 2016

Faculty Senator, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, 2013 - present

Franklin College Faculty Awards Committee, 2014 - 2017

Sandy Beaver Excellence in Teaching Award, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, 2014

Chair, Franklin Senate Curriculum Committee, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, 2015 - 2016

Research Scientist Promotion Committee, Office of the Vice President for Research, 2015 - 2017

Fellow for Innovative Teaching, Center for Teaching and Learning, 2016

President, Faculty Senate, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, 2017

Dual Degree (Double Dawgs) Pathway Coordinator, Department of Genetics, 2017 - present

General Sandy Beaver Teaching Professorship, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, 2018 - 2020

Participant in Active Learning Summer Institute, Center for Teaching and Learning, 2019

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