College of S.T.E.M. Faculty Spotlight: Whitney Hoff
Posted: August 12, 2025 | Author: Jordyn Jackson | Read Time: 2 minutes
The Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has chosen Professor Whitney Hoff as its faculty spotlight.
Professor Hoff is a proud alumna of Southern Utah University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2012. After graduating, her passion for science and research led her to pursue a graduate degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she completed a Master's of Science in Molecular Genetics and Genomics.
While at Wayne State, Hoff's graduate research focused on a disease of the central nervous system involving the structural integrity of the myelin sheath. Using genetically modified knockout mice, she studied the role of a specific protein crucial for myelin stability. Her research examined how the immune system responded when this protein was removed, as compared to when it was overexpressed.
In 2023, Hoff returned to SUU, this time as a Lecturer in Biology. She quickly established herself as a dynamic and student-centric educator. Her teaching style emphasizes active learning, innovation, and meaningful student engagement. Her dedication to teaching, mentorship, and student motivation was recognized in 2025 when she received the Outstanding Faculty in Biology award, reflecting her commitment to excellence in the classroom and her ongoing support of student learning and development.
Currently, her research at SUU focuses on biology education, specifically comparing student outcomes in traditional versus flipped classrooms. Her passion for active learning and evidence-based teaching is a central aspect of her work. By collecting and analyzing data from general biology courses, she aims to identify strategies that improve student understanding and overall academic success.
For Hoff, the most rewarding part of working at SUU is the opportunity to connect with students in meaningful ways and support students' academic goals and personal growth.
"I love the opportunities I have to get to know the students and become involved in their lives in and out of the classroom via office hour meetings, mentorship, and Biology Club," said Hoff.
Outside of her professional life, Hoff is a proud parent of three adventurous daughters. Whether on an excursion or simply spending quality time together, she cherishes the opportunities to explore the world with her girls.Tags: Campus FacStaff College of STEM
