Dr. Sara Sybesma Tolsma ’84 Professor of Biology
Education:
Ph.D., Northwestern University
B.A., Northwestern College (Iowa)
712-707-7278
stolsma@nwciowa.edu
SCI 228
Dr. Tolsma’s research efforts in cancer genetics and cell biology have been widely published in scientific journals and have received a number of awards. A Northwestern College alumna, she holds a doctorate in microbiology/immunology/virology from Northwestern University. She has three ongoing research projects. In collaboration with Dr. Laura Furlong, she is studying mayfly genetic variation in Northwest Iowa watersheds and in streams on Santa Cruz Island. With her Cell Biology students, she is measuring the anti-proliferative effects of plant extracts and chemicals in those extracts on human tumor cells in vitro. Finally, as a member of the HHMI-sponsored SEA-PHAGES and SEA-GENES groups, she is working on annotating mycobacteriophage genomes and exploring the functions of genes in phages Island3 and Sbash with students. She is expanding her phage research by raising antibodies to phage capsid proteins with her immunology students. She is also passionate about integrating science and Christian faith. She is an American Scientific Affiliation Fellow and serves as a subject book review editor for their journal, PSCF. She has published a number of essays in Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought, which she co-edits, and she wrote a book with Dr. Jason Lief about the importance of engaging young people in conversations about science and faith. The 2015 recipient of Northwestern's annual Teaching Excellence Award, the 2021 recipient of the Faculty Excellence in Faith and Learning Award. She was appointed to the Northwestern College Endowed Professorship 2016-2021.
BIO121 - Introduction to Human Anatomy
(4 credits) An introduction to the anatomical structures of the human body. The focus of the course will be on structures of: cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. The systems studied will include (but not necessarily limited to) integument, bone, skeletal system (including joints), muscle, cardiovascular, nervous, lymphatic, endocrine, respiratory, renal, reproductive and gastrointestinal. Concurrent requisite: CHE101 or 111.Note: Includes 3 hours of lab per week as well as lab practical examinations using either dissected organs from an animal source or A.D.A.M. interactive anatomy. Does not count toward a biology major or minor. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO335 - SEA-GENES
(2 credits) In this course, students will design, implement, and interpret experiments that will uncover the function of phage genes. Students will generate a gene expression library for a phage genome collaboratively. Then, each student will test the ability of a subset of phage gene products to modulate bacterial host phenotypes. Students will screen genes of interest against the bacterial host proteome to identify putative host target(s) using a two-hybrid assay. Putative interactions revealed by the two-hybrid assay will represent phage-host interaction pairs, linking phage genes to host phenotypes, proteins, and processes. SEA-GENES is part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's (HHMI) Science Education Alliance (SEA). Prerequisites: BIO115SN/BIO116, CHE101SN/102 or 111/112, BIO202WI or BIO203 with preference given to students who have completed (or are taking concurrently) both BIO202WI and BIO203 and/or are in the Honors Program and are taking this course with an honors component.Note: A fee is associated with this course.
NWC105 - Honors First-Year Seminar
(4 credits) NWC105 is an Honors section of the First-Year Seminar, utilizing the same syllabus, texts, and course objectives as NWC101. In addition, the Honors First-Year Seminar aims: 1) to promote community among first-year students of demonstrated academic ability; 2) to create an environment in which these students can excel academically and nurture their innate intellectual curiosity; and 3) to provide students with an opportunity to learn from NWC faculty who have been recognized for their teaching excellence in the classroom. Completion of the Honors First-Year Seminar does not guaranteeadmission into the Honors Program. Students will have the opportunity to apply to the Honors Program at the end of their Freshman year. For additional course information, see the course description under "First-Year Seminar".
Abigail M. Bastian, Marcus J. Blankenspoor, Gideon K. Fynaardt, Sadie A. Gilmeister, Emily E. Hurley, Madison Jones, Erika J. McKenney, Alexa N. Olguin, Micah N. Rens, Garrett Snyder, Anneka E. Sterk, Sophie M. Swart, Alaena Trevino, Ashley N. Van Egdom, Morgan C. Veach, Kip Cullinan, Kaarina Van Berkum, Lauren R. Pavich, Krista Starr, Byron Noordewier, and Sara S. Tolsma, Complete Genome Sequences of Microbacterium Phages Clayda5 and Gshelby23 and Gordonia Phages Wrigley and Santhid, Microbiology Resource Announcements, submitted.
Deborah Jacobs-Sera, Lawrence A. Abad, Richard M. Alvey, Kirk R. Anders, Haley G. Aull,… Sara S. Tolsma, Philippos K. Tsourkas, … and Graham F. Hatfull (2020) Genomic diversity of bacteriophages infecting Microbacterium spp. PLOS ONE. June 18, 2020.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234636.
Lief, J. and Tolsma, S.S. (2019) Jesus Loves You and Evolution is True: Why youth ministry needs science. Fortress Press.
Tolsma, S.S. (2019) Science in Church, God and Nature. https://godandnature.asa3.org/tolsma-science-in-church.html.
Tolsma, S.S. (2019) What I Wish Christians Knew About Science/Scientists. Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought.
Bastian,A.M., Blankespoor,M.J., Fynaardt,G.K., Gilmeister,S.A., Hurley,E., Jones,M., Mckenney,E.J., Olguin,A.N., Rens,M.N., Sterk,A.E., Swart,S.M., Thurm, C.L., Trevino,A., Van,E.A., Veach,M.C., Pavich,L.R., Tolsma,S., Garlena,R.A., Russell,D.A., Jacobs-Sera,D. and Hatfull,G.F. (2022) Gordonia phage Santhid, complete genome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/OM818327
Bastian,A.M., Blankespoor,M.J., Fynaardt,G.K., Gilmeister,S.A., Hurley,E., Jones,M., Mckenney,E.J., Olguin,A.N., Rens,M.N., Sterk,A.E., Swart,S.M., Thurm, C.L., Trevino,A., Van,E.A., Veach,M.C., Pavich,L.R., Tolsma,S., Garlena,R.A., Russell,D.A., Jacobs-Sera,D. and Hatfull,G.F. (2022) Gordonia phage Wrigley, complete genome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/ON108651
Bastian,A.M., Blankespoor,M.J., Fynaardt,G.K., Gilmeister,S.A., Hurley,E., Jones,M., Mckenney,E.J., Olguin,A.N., Rens,M.N., Sterk,A.E., Swart,S.M., Thurm, C., Trevino,A., Van,E.A., Veach,M.C., Pavich,L.R., Tolsma,S., Garlena,R.A., Russell,D.A., Jacobs-Sera,D. and Hatfull,G.F. (2022) Microbacterium phage Clayda5, complete genome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/OM818329
Bastian,A.M., Blankespoor,M.J., Fynaardt,G.K., Gilmeister,S.A., Hurley,E., Jones,M., Mckenney,E.J., Olguin,A.N., Rens,M.N., Sterk,A.E., Swart,S.M., Trevino,A., Van,E.A., Veach,M.C., Pavich,L.R., Tolsma,S., Garlena,R.A., Russell,D.A., Jacobs-Sera,D. and Hatfull,G.F. (2022) Microbacterium phage Gshelby23, complete genome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/ON260817
Adair,D.M., Craig,L., Knudson,K.J., Maasdam,K.A., Marttila,K.M., Meyer,K.M., Olguin,A., Rentschler,M., Schmidt,E., VanTol,A.S., Blum,S., Noordewier,B., Tolsma,S., Garlena,R.A., Russell,D.A., Pope,W.H., Jacobs-Se,D. and Hatfull,G.F. (2021) Mycobacterium phage Neos5, complete genome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/MZ171381
Chartier,R., Clarke,A., Groen,L., Kleinhesselink,M., Koel,C., Korthals,M., Kramer,J., Raymon,G., Riensche,K., Sandbulte,S., Stecker,A., Strand,D., Wojciechowski,K., Almail,A., Noordewier,B., Tolsma,S., Garlena,R., Russell,D., Pope,W., Jacobs-Se,D. and Hatfull,G. (2021) Microbacterium phage Stormbreaker8, complete genome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/MZ171379
Member, Christian Action Commission, Reformed Church in America, 1999-2005.
Member, New Brunswick Theological Seminary Board of Directors, 2007-2014.
Member, Sioux County Environmental Initiative Steering Committee, 2008-2019.
Chair, Societal Issues Committee for the Iowa Academy of Science. 2009-2011.
Member, Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought Board of Editors, 2012 – 2019. Book review editor 2013-2015. Co-editor 2015 – 2019.
Member, American Scientific Affiliation. 2010-present. Subject book review editor (biology, genetics, evolution, ecology) 2014-2022.
Iowa Academy of Science
American Scientific Affiliation
American Microbiology Society
Faculty Excellence in Faith and Learning Award 2021
American Scientific Affiliation Fellow, 2017
Northwestern Endowed Professorship, 2016
Teaching Excellence Award, Northwestern College, 2015
Sabbatical leave, 2003-04
Teaching Excellence Award finalist, 2001
Gramm Travel Fellowship Award, Robert Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, 1994
National Student Research Forum, Northwestern University student representative, 1994
