CMU welcomes Dr. Neil White to Chemistry & Biochemistry faculty

Central Michigan University’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is welcoming a new face to its faculty this fall: Dr. Neil White, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry.

White grew up in Owosso, Michigan, and has spent his academic career immersed in biochemistry and molecular biology. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. from Michigan State University before pursuing postdoctoral research at Yale University as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) fellow. Now, he says, he’s excited to bring that experience back home to Michigan and invest in the next generation of scientists.

“I am very excited to train the next generation of scientists both in the classroom and in my research laboratory at CMU,” White said.

At CMU, White is currently teaching CHM 520: Introductory Biochemistry while also launching his independent research group. His lab focuses on RNA biochemistry and molecular microbiology, tackling questions in the growing field of elemental ion biology.

White explains that his work, and his teaching philosophy, center on the dual responsibilities of scientists: creating knowledge and sharing it.

“In the research laboratory we are creating knowledge by elucidating novel scientific phenomena,” White said. “In the classroom, I am primarily disseminating knowledge. Helping students build conceptual understanding of the material so they have strong intuition is extremely valuable. Today knowing facts is not enough, you must really understand what’s going on.”

His students benefit from a teaching approach that emphasizes critical thinking, reflection, and real-world connections. He aims to help them move beyond memorization and toward conceptual mastery. White also brings in metacognition, learning about learning, to strengthen their long-term understanding.

“To borrow a term from language studies, I want my students to be conversational in Biochemistry to aid their competency and to help spark connections,” he said.

In his research group, White provides hands-on mentorship to students, guiding them not only in scientific inquiry but also in communication and professional development. “In addition to students advancing scientific understanding, the development of my mentees is something I care deeply about,” he said.

For White, CMU stood out as the right fit because of its strong balance between research and teaching. 

“CMU has long had a great reputation for teaching excellence and the professors being accessible to the students. I am looking forward to continuing that,” he said. “Coming from MSU and Yale, I wanted a great environment to conduct research, and I believe I have found that here.”

White is based in CMU’s Biosciences Building, a place he describes as both beautiful and functional, and an inspiring environment to pursue new discoveries.

With his passion for both research and teaching, Dr. Neil White is eager to help CMU students connect the world of biochemistry to their lives and future careers, while pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge in his laboratory.