Mary Hatcher-Skeers

Academic History

• B.A. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of California, San Diego

• M.S. Chemistry, San Francisco State University

• Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, University of Washington

• NIH Post-doctoral Fellowship, MIT and Brandeis University

Interests

Biophysical Chemistry - The Hatcher-Skeers group is fascinated by the local structure and dynamics of biological molecules. Her group uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and other spectroscopies to study backbone dynamics in DNA, protonation states in proteins, and rotational barriers in amide-containing vitamins and cofactors.

Inclusive Pedagogy - Professor Hatcher-Skeers is currently Scripps College's Associate Dean of Faculty for Racial Equity (ADRE) and previously served as a faculty co-director of the Claremont Colleges Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). These experiences led to the development of pedagogy-focused research projects. Her group studies belonging and community building in STEM classrooms and how the presence or lack of strong classroom communities affects student self-confidence and persistence in STEM majors.