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Author interviews > Kelly Cowan Interview
First-time author shares her experience.
Kelly Cowan offers case studies from her
classroom to yours.
Marjorie Kelly Cowan, Ph.D., teaches microbiology and epidemiology at the Middletown campus of Miami University in Ohio. Her training took place at the University of Louisville, the University of Groningen (the Netherlands), and the University of Maryland. She actively studies teaching and learning, and oversees a research program in micobial adhesion and colonization in medical and industrial settings. She recently received a Celebration of Teaching Award from the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities. She has two sons, Taylor, 12, and Sam, 9.
BC |
What inspired you to write The Microbe Files?
KC | I've seen what case studies can do to enliven a classroom, and to get students engaged in the material. The problem was that there were no microbiology case studies books appropriate for the undergraduate. Like most teachers, I had been writing my own case studies to use with my classes, but I always wished that I had more to choose from. So I decided to be systematic about it and create a collection. I particularly enjoyed writing the cases which involved activities other than the usual "diagnose this condition" cases. Many of my students are going in to nursing and other allied health professions; they will be called on to do patient education and are viewed by their family and acquaintances as health information resources. So I wrote cases which ask students how to handle particular situations and how to talk to patients and their families.
BC |
There's so much information to cover in the microbiology course—how do you make time to use the cases?
KC | Ahh, the tyranny of content. I believe strongly that it's better to explore some major examples of infections in great depth than to learn by rote many details about each possible infection. Infectious diseases will change and evolve over the course of a student's career; what I try to convey to my students is a how to discover for themselves what the important features of a disease are, and how to place that disease in the context of pathogenesis in general. Practicing those skills is important. Case studies get them practicing right away.
BC |
As a first time author, did Benjamin Cummings meet your expectations as a publisher, or were you surprised by the process and completed book?
KC |
The process was surprisingly smooth. We agreed on the schedule, we both met our deadlines, and it worked exactly the way they said it would! I was particularly impressed with the copy-editing process. It was clear that they really knew their stuff. They were not going to let me make any mistakes. I had some preferences about small things like font and cover art, and they listened and delivered.
BC |
Who was the biggest influence on your career and why?
KC | My Ph.D. advisor at the University of Louisville, Ron Doyle. He accepts nothing less than excellence from any of his students. More than anything else he taught me, by example, to never stop studying and learning. He is a master of communicating science through teaching, writing and speaking. And he devotes a great deal of energy to helping people. From quietly facilitating the research of individual scientists from developing countries to volunteering his time at local charitable organizations he never stops giving. He set a standard that has permanently shaped my vision of being in the world.
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