Sien Verschave’s journey to the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) is a testament to her resilience and passion for science and education. Born and raised in Belgium, Verschave initially set her sights on a career in veterinary medicine, where she earned her degree from the University of Antwerp. However, her path took an unexpected turn during her final years of veterinary school when she became increasingly drawn to research.
“I wanted to become a small animal practitioner, but during my studies, I discovered my passion for research. It was a significant pivot for me,” Verschave recalls. After completing her degree in veterinary medicine, she pursued a PhD in parasitology at Ghent University, diving into infectious disease models.
Upon completing her PhD, an opportunity arose that would take her from Belgium to Boston. This move was fraught with uncertainty for Verschave, who had never visited the US before and arrived on a tourist visa. “It was a leap into the unknown, but one that was filled with potential,” she says.
In 2017, Verschave was hired as a teaching fellow at Harvard. A year later, a Preceptor in Life Science position became available at Harvard, focusing on curriculum development and teaching. This role perfectly fit Verschave, who embraced the opportunity to work with students and researchers. She lead a weekly section for LS1b (‘Genetics, Genomics & Evolution’) and LS1a (‘An integrated introduction to the Life Sciences: Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology’), which combines laboratory and discussion.
Verschave’s current role as MCB’s Curriculum and Pedagogy Manager involves managing a team of 20 teaching fellows and teaching introductory courses to large groups of undergraduates. “I love working with the students and seeing their passion for science. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of their educational journey,” she says.
One of her most exciting projects is co-teaching a first-year seminar with MCB and Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) Professor Daniel Kahne, “Thinking Like a Scientist: An Introduction to Scientific Research.” This discussion-based course focuses on developing students’ scientific reasoning and critical thinking skills. “We wanted to prepare students to engage in scientific research early in their college careers,” Verschave explains. The course culminates in a unique final project where students read a scientific paper and meet with its lead author, a Harvard faculty member, to discuss the research.
In addition to the seminar, Verschave and Kahne developed the FUEL (Foundational Undergraduate Experiences in the Laboratory) program, providing students with hands-on lab experience. “We want them to be very comfortable in the lab and have standard lab skills under their belts,” Verschave says. This program, held over the summer, includes modules in chemistry and biology, allowing students to synthesize molecules and isolate bacteriophages. “It’s about giving them the tools for success,” she adds. “I’ve realized how important it is to inspire and help students experience research. It’s incredibly fulfilling.”
Kahne has taught the 300-student LS1a course with Verschave for many years. “Sien played a crucial role in revamping the course during the pandemic, enhancing it to unprecedented levels. Her Q scores [a course evaluation tool] are consistently the highest among all lecturers, reflecting her outstanding teaching abilities. Sien has an exceptional talent for helping students with diverse backgrounds and interests succeed, identifying challenging concepts, and developing innovative strategies to make foundational material accessible. She has a gift for helping all of the students succeed.”
Kahne’s collaboration with Verschave in that course revealed that many students are eager to try research but lack direction. He also observed that Verschave has thought a lot about how scientists obtain new knowledge and how to convey what the scientific process involves to students. “Together, we created a first-year seminar with Sien transforming our ideas into a coherent course,” he says. “There are many excellent teachers at Harvard, but Sien stands out for her creativity. What drives Sien’s innovations is her desire to get the students to learn how to think for themselves. That is what Sien is trying to do with these new courses. Perhaps even more remarkable, Sien can hold the vision, and at the same time, she focuses on the details that make a course successful. And she keeps it fun for the students.”
MCB Chair Rachelle Gaudet also has been teaching with Verschave for the past four years in the LS1a course. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount from her – I admire her ability to find simple step-by-step ways to interactively explain complex concepts to students. I suspect that it comes from dedication and intense preparation because Sien is one of the hardest working people I know!” she says. Gaudet also recognizes Verschave as a fierce advocate for students and a natural leader among the MCB teaching staff. “It’s exciting to see Sien experimenting with new ventures like the first-year seminar she co-taught with Dan Kahne this spring and the mentorship she is providing to undergraduates who are getting started in research this summer.”
In addition to her teaching, Vershave is a member of MCB’s Community Task Force on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Outside the lab and classroom, Verschave’s interests are as diverse as her academic journey. She practices hot yoga, which she finds to be a great stress reliever. She has also developed a passion for ceramics. “It’s my therapy,” she says with a smile.
Another passion close to her heart is animal welfare. During the pandemic, Verschave started fostering animals, a journey that led her to adopt her cat. “The first foster was a failed foster because I fell in love with her and adopted her,” she laughs.
Verschave thoroughly enjoys Boston living. “I love the nature here and that it’s within reach on the weekends. I’ve made friends who feel like family,” she shares. Reflecting on her journey, she concludes, “Boston and Harvard have become a second home. The city is a hub of interesting, brave, and bold people, which makes it an exciting place to live and work.”
