U-M Science Professor will keynote annual Partners Breakfast

Registration has closed for this event. If you have questions, contact recruiting@hfcc.edu.

Dr. Susan Brooks, a professor at the University of Michigan (U-M) Medical School in Ann Arbor, will be the keynote speaker at HFC’s annual Partners Breakfast in the Pavilion of the John McDonald Student and Culinary Arts Center (Building M on the main campus) on Friday, March 27, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year’s theme is STEM career pathways.

Dean Janice Gilliland of the HFC School of Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) invited Brooks to speak at the event.

“Partnering with U-M and Dr. Susan Brooks for more than a decade has been a privilege,” said Gilliland. “U-M’s commitment to expanding research opportunities for community college students at an R1 institution, while also fostering meaningful mentorship between fellows and community college instructors, has created lasting pathways into STEM careers for diverse learners. This partnership has strengthened both our institutions and, most importantly, has transformed student outcomes in STEM.”

About Dr. Susan Brooks

At a very early age, Brooks was inspired by her father, Dr. Carter Brooks, who was a pediatrician.

“I was always interested in medicine, but I decided that clinical practice wasn’t for me. I was drawn toward studying biomedical science, but my math aptitude steered me to engineering,” said Brooks.

Brooks is a three-time alumna of U-M, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in engineering science, her master’s degree in bioengineering, and her doctoral degree in biomedical engineering. Brooks also completed postdoctoral studies at the Institute of Gerontology at U-M, a multidisciplinary research institute that spans biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences.

In 1995, she joined the faculty at U-M. Although her primary appointment is Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (MIP) at the U-M Medical School, Brooks also holds the following appointments:

• Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the U-M College of Engineering
• Christin Carter-Su Legacy Professor of Physiology

She has also served as Associate Director and Director of Graduate Studies in MIP.

Brooks’ research involves trying to determine why we lose muscle size and strength with healthy aging. Our muscles wane, regardless of whether we are healthy and fit.

“A decrease with aging in muscle mass results from a loss of muscle fibers due to a loss of motor units [the basic functional units of muscle contraction],” she said. “There is nothing we can do to fully stop it.”

Brooks spoke about the best part of her job.

“I love meeting and interacting every year with new students who are smart, motivated, and curious. I also love pursuing my muscle biology research and other things that interest me,” she said. “I’m very excited to come to HFC. I’ve worked with Janice for many years through our National Institutes of Health (NIH) K-12 grant that supports post-doctoral training for post-doctoral fellows who wish to teach. I don’t think I’ve ever visited HFC before, even though Janice and I have been working together for more than a decade.”

Register today

Breakfast is designed for high school counselors, teachers, influencers, and community partners to raise awareness and help your students make informed decisions about their future. We are excited to highlight opportunities that will prepare students for a career in STEM – or any area that interests them.

At the Partners Breakfast, you will enjoy delicious food while:

• Learning what makes HFC a special place of belonging, learning, and student success that serves students from myriad backgrounds and experiences.
• Networking with leaders and counselors from local schools, universities, and education-focused community organizations.
• Earning up to four State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH) credits.
• Exploring exceptional academic spaces and student gathering spaces.

While this event is free, space is limited. Please register by Friday, February 27, at the link above.

For questions or more information about the Partners Breakfast, contact recruiting@hfcc.edu.