Women in STEM: Denison's Chris Weingart loves to talk about microbes

GRANVILLE – Chris Weingart grew up in Sebring, Ohio, in the northeast part of the state, watching SciFi shows like Lost in Space, The Twilight Zone and, of course, the Star Wars movies.

“I’m still a big fan of those movies!” she exclaimed.

She also liked mystery-themed books such as Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys.

"Although they were not science,” she added, “they did have an element of discovery that I relished.”

Then there was one particular book.

“I think I had the idea of becoming a detective,” she remembered, “specifically after I read Harriet the Spy.”

Well, that changed.

“I didn’t develop a strong interest in my science courses until I was in high school,” she said.

“In my high school anatomy class,” she recalled, “I enjoyed learning about how the internal organs worked in animals. This sparked enough interest for me to pursue biology in college.”

She earned a BS in biology at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Then a Ph.D. in microbiology at Miami University of Ohio.

“Initially I thought I was going to medical school,” she said. “But then I took a microbiology course and fell head-over-heels for the content. The fact that these teeny-tiny organisms can have such an impact on so many aspects of life absolutely fascinated me.”

“Right then,” she continued, “I knew I wanted to do something with microbes. That course work, coupled with my undergraduate experience in research, inspired me to continue the quest to learn about microbes, which is why I entered the microbiology program at Miami.”

Now, as an associate professor and chair of the biology department at Denison University, Weingart teaches molecular biology and unicellular life and, at the advanced level, diversity of microorganisms and virology.

“I love to talk about microbes,” she said, “and teaching these courses allows me to do that. I love sharing my passion and enthusiasm for these small, but mighty, organisms.”

So, from aspiring detective to microbiologist, does she now consider yourself a role model for young girls?

“Yes,” she answered, “and I take this role seriously. I have a 12-year-old daughter and I think it’s important for her to see that a girl can be who she wants to be.”

About the series

This story is part of an ongoing Business Advocate series about women in STEM careers. If you have a story suggestion, email advocate@newarkadvocate.com.