Learning for Life at Tri-C Westshore

Learning for Life is a program for the whole community at Tri-C Westshore on Clemens Road in Westlake.

Launched in 2014, the Robert Searson Learning for Life program promotes lifelong learning through engaging programs on a variety of academic and community-oriented topics organized and conducted by Tri-C faculty and guest speakers.

The series gives members of the College and community a chance to discuss topics, including the arts, culture, wellness and current local, national and international events. All are welcome.

The March 5 edition featured Tomasz Kowalczyk, Ph.D, an expert on gene therapy.

Gene Therapy is a treatment that uses genes to repair or replace faulty genes that cause disease. Genes are the building blocks of DNA, which are passed from parents to children. Dr. Kowalczyk presented a fascinating program on how these living “Legos” function.

In recent years, close collaboration between multiple scientific disciplines has rendered gene therapy a viable treatment option for some genetic conditions. As of today, there are numerous clinical trials underway for gene therapy treatments of various cancers, blood disorders, neurological diseases and inherited retinal disorders, to name a few.

Dr. Kowalczyk received his master’s degree in biochemistry from Warsaw University, Poland, in 1980. In 1989, he earned a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the Medical University in Lublin, Poland, and the following year, he moved to Case Western Reserve University to complete postdoctoral studies. There, he focused on studying the kinetics of enzymes from bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

In 2011, he began teaching various biological courses as an adjunct at Tri-C and Lorain County Community College. Enjoying the experience, he decided to transition fully into teaching. Since 2012, he has been a full-time faculty member at the Westshore campus of Tri-C, where he primarily teaches human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and principles of biology.

NEXT: April 9, 2025 | Noon | How Climate Change Affects Biodiversity