Nadja Anderson is the director of the BIOTECH Project in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona. Nadja's first serious interest in science was in the field of Chemistry, and led to a Bachelor's in Chemistry from University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) and a Master's in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University (NAU). During her studies at NAU, Nadja discovered that her true love in science was Biology, which motivated her to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona (UA), where she completed her doctorate in Biochemistry in 1999. Her research focused on a small heat-shock protein that is produced in plants both during stress with heat and during its embryonic development. Her research allowed her to use molecular techniques and plant genetics while studying the growth and development of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

During her Master's and doctorate work, Nadja has pursued and enjoyed teaching both at the high school and college level. While she was at NAU, she tutored high school students and was involved in a program that helped them with their homework. She has taught numerous college Chemistry and Biology labs, as well as involvement as a teaching assistant for Biology and Biochemistry courses. After completing her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, she has been an instructor in Biology for non-majors at Pima Community College in Tucson. She is very excited to be devoting her full time effort to science education with the BIOTECH Project.

You might also see Nadja out on one of Tucson's amazing hiking trails. The above picture was taken othe Douglas Spring Trail just east of Tucson. Tucson is a great place for hiking much within 30 minutes of the University/downtown Tucson.