R. Katherine Hyde, Ph.D.: Spirit of Community Service Award

R. Katherine Hyde, Ph.D., assistant professor, biochemistry and molecular biology, College of Medicine, will receive the Spirit of Community Service Award at the annual Faculty Senate Awards ceremony, at 4 p.m., April 24 in the Durham Research Center Auditorium.

• Name: R. Katherine Hyde, Ph.D.
• Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Joined UNMC: September 2013
• Hometown: Waterville, Maine

How did you start in your community service activities?
When I first moved to Omaha, I didn’t know many people outside of UNMC. I saw a flier for the YMCA Reach and Rise program and thought it looked like a good opportunity to get involved in the community and meet other people. As much as like I like research, it’s nice to take a break from science occasionally.

My involvement in science outreach was more deliberate. As a post-doc at the National Institutes of Health, I started participating in outreach activities with some of the other member of my lab. It was really fun and rewarding, so when I came to UNMC I specifically looked for similar volunteer opportunities. That’s how I got involved with the American Association of University TechSavvy workshop and the Expanding Your Horizons workshop.

Why do you feel community service is important?
Throughout my education and career, I’ve had mentors who’ve gone above and beyond to help me. If I can do the same for others, it’s like paying back or thanking those who helped me along the way. Specifically regarding scientific outreach, since so much of research is supported by taxpayer money, I think we have a responsibility to share our knowledge and experience with the public, as well as train the next generation of scientists.

List three things few people know about you.

• I still consider myself a New Englander, even though I haven’t lived there since high school.
• My sister and I are very close and talk on the phone nearly every day.
• I’m teaching myself to play the ukulele. I’m not very good, but it’s a lot of fun!