Jenny Tenlen, Ph.D.

Welcome!

I am proud to be part of the Seattle Pacific University community! My training is in developmental biology, integrating genetics, cell biology and evolution to understand how germ cells (the cells that give rise to eggs and sperm) are specified and maintained in animals. Among the courses I teach at SPU are General Biology, Genetics, Principles of Development, Scientific Literature, and others.

My primary goal as an educator is to help develop students’ ability to think critically and reflectively about biological concepts. To this end, I emphasize active learning and inquiry-based experiments in my courses, such as through analysis of experiments from the primary literature, and by engaging students in lab projects directly related to my research. I also use case studies and discussions to help students explore bioethical issues, providing a supportive forum for students to critically integrate their scientific knowledge with their religious and moral values.

I am a native of Seattle, and have belonged to St. Matthew Parish, in north Seattle, for a large chunk of my life. I have an avid interest in genealogy (so beware - I have lots of stories to share about my maternal Irish and paternal Norwegian roots!).