Each month an ADEA Connect Ambassador will be highlighted based on their contributions to ADEA Connect. Learn more about ambassador responsibilities in the ADEA Connect Ambassador Overview.
Dr. Barbara McCracken is the Community Ambassador for the ADEA Section on Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Microbiology. Read more about Dr. McCracken and her professional experience below.
Say Hello to Barbara McCracken, Ph.D.
What professional tips or advice would you like to share about your profession?
Be present for the students. Get to know them on a personal level. Be available for advice when they are having a hard time or to help them celebrate the everyday small victories.
What is your #1 reason for becoming an ADEA member?
Although I’ve been in academia a while, I have only been in dental education for about 8 years. ADEA helped immensely in my transition from undergraduate education to teaching in a dental school. Meeting other non-dentist faculty and sharing ideas about how to approach biomedical subjects for dental students has been as fun as it has been informative.
What has been the most rewarding experience of your career?
I have mentored many hopeful pre-dental undergraduate and graduate (MS in Biology) students who have eventually made it to dental school. Although some find their way to schools other than ours, many of them become students in my D1 biomedical courses. It is so rewarding to see them go from my lab, to dental school, and then to graduate as dentists.
How has ADEA Connect been useful to you?
ADEA Connect has given me the opportunity to meet faculty from many different schools. Just commenting on someone’s post has opened opportunities for collaboration or sharing of ideas
What is your favorite hobby or place to travel?
I love to travel. I have had the good fortune to have been able to travel to many countries and meet all kinds of people. When we travel, my husband and I seek out the “off the beaten path” places. We try to meet the locals, sample authentic food, and learn something about the local culture.